Position title: Head, Major Donors
Location: Gland, Switzerland
Reports to: Director, Development Department
Supervises: Major Donor Managers, Researcher, Campaign Assistant
Salary: Internationally competitive - based on experience
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations acting locally through a network of over 90 offices in over 40 countries around the world. On-the-ground conservation projects managed by these offices are active in more than 100 countries. The central secretariat for the network (called WWF International) is located in Gland.
WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:
- conserving the world’s biological diversity
- ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
- promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
Background to the role
I. Mission of the Department:
To raise funds for WWF’s Conservation Programmes and WWF International and support collective fundraising efforts by the WWF Network.
II. Major Functions:
WWF has launched its biggest fundraising campaign in history, the Campaign for a Living Planet, which aims to raise $100 million over the next five years primarily from high net worth individuals. This role is critical to delivering the Campaign.
The Head of Major Donors leads and manages all aspects of the major donors relationships at WWF International. S/he is responsible for researching and recruiting new individual donors, and planning, implementing, managing, and coordinating the stewardship activities of WWF International Major Donors to achieve Campaign and other
targets.
III. Major Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head will work closely with the Director of Development Unit, the Campaign for a Living Planet Steering Committee and the Major 2 of 3. Donors Team in the planning and implementation of all major gift fundraising activities
programme including :
- In conjunction with the Director, Development, leading on the implementing of the Campaign for a Living Planet to achieve the ambitious income target of $100 million
- Within that context explores and formulates strategies plans for the development of existing major donors to increase their support to WWF International and the Campaign for a Living Planet
- Identifies the highest-potential prospects and develops and implements cultivation strategies to turn prospects into WWF supporters
- Supports Campaign Steering Committee members to identify prospects from their networks and to develop appropriate cultivation strategies to secure high level gifts
- Assists other staff, officials, volunteers, and others associated with WWF International in the evaluation, researching, cultivation and solicitation of the highest-potential prospects in major donors;
- Ensures appropriate and timely follow-up of donors following the receipt of financial commitments (gift acknowledgement coordinating thank-you's, ensuring the implementation of donor recognition activities, etc);
- Works collaboratively with WWF staff, consultants and volunteers in select National Organizations (NO’s) involved in the recruitment and stewardship of existing donors and prospects.
IV. Profile:
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum undergraduate university degree
- Minimum seven years' experience in fundraising, including minimum five years' experience of major gift fundraising, preferably with an international NGO
- Experience of developing and/or implementing a major gift or capital campaign of at least $50 million, with evidence of results
- Experience of working with high level volunteers and/or committees to deliver major fundraising targets
- Excellent and proven knowledge of major gift fundraising methodology including prospect research, proposal preparation and the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors.
Required Skills and Competencies:
- Superior interpersonal and communications skills, particularly with high-level individuals in a multinational environment;
- Strong network of personal contacts and ability to extend this network extensively
- Knowledge of the Swiss fundraising network of high net worth individuals (desirable)
- Knowledge of the Middle East and/or Asian fundraising network (desirable)
- Strong diplomatic skills, sensitivity to political issues and interest in conservation;
- Thoroughness and attention to detail and ability to work independently;
- Experience working in international environment and with people from different cultural background;
- Energetic, proactive and capable of positively working in a team;
- Fluency in English; fluency in French highly desirable;
- Adhere to WWF’s values: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.
V. Working Relationships:
Internal: Interacts regularly with other Fundraising, Conservation and Management staff of WWF International and the WWF network as required in fulfilment of duties. 3 of 3
External: Interacts with current and prospective major donors, Campaign Steering
Committee members and champions.
This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.
To apply for the post, please send a letter of application stating the skills and approach that you would bring to the post along with your CV/resume (no photos) in English in strict confidence BY EMAIL ONLY to Diana Ruano at recruitment@darylupsall.com
Applications sent by other means will not be considered.
Please ensure that they are sent as Word or OpenOffice format documents with the titles “your name cover letter” and “your name CV”. Please put “WWF Head, Major Donors” in the email subject line and state how you came across about the job announcement.
PLEASE NOTE that we are hiring two additional new posts in the Major Donors department, namely a Major Gifts Manager and a Foundations Manager.
To find out more and read the job descriptions and find out what skills we are looking for and how to apply visit http://www.darylupsall.com/currentvacancies/
Deadline for applications: 3 November 2010, 6pm Central European Time
Interviews will take place in Gland, Switzerland
