AFS-USA, a nonprofit leader in international student exchange, seeks a Senior Director of Leadership Giving and Donor Relations to work out of their NYC office.  Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Senior Director will develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects identified through field work, screening, research and strengthening relationships, and will work with the President and CDO in development of their top tier prospects who will have a transformational impact on the organization.

Overview:

The Senior Director of Leadership Giving and Donor Relations reports to the Chief Development, Communications and Alumni Relations Officer and manages a large portfolio of major gift prospects. The Senior Director supervises and works with Manager of Alumni Relations and a Major Gifts Officer to cultivate a healthy prospect pipeline.  As a leader in the Development unit, the Director will carefully strategize with the President and Chief Officer and will also work with the AFS-USA Executive Team, Volunteer National Council, and Board of Directors for AFS-USA. The Director will supervise a two person team of a Major Gifts Manager and Development Associate. Qualified candidates will have a BS/BA degree and a minimum of five years of broad-based nonprofit experience managing and implementing complex fundraising programs with a proven track record in securing major gifts and demonstrated ability and drive to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop a portfolio of prospects and maintain active efforts to evaluate prospects identified through field work, screening, research and strengthening relationships.
• Design and implement a highly strategic prospect portfolio and plan for both the President and Chief Development Officer of top tier prospects who are able to have transformational impact on the organization.
• Serve as a liaison and staff support for the Development Committee in cooperation with the Chief Development Officer. Provide Development Committee members with prospect assignments and training for cultivation and solicitation activities. Attend Development Committee meetings when appropriate.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors capable of gifts of $10,000 +
• Develop strategic and operating plans for the major gifts program, including campaign strategies and matrices to measure success
• Determine metrics for monthly prospect visits, annual fund appeals, returnee participation, and event attendance.
• Supervise Alumni Relations Manager and a Major Gift Officer, while also providing leadership and guidance to the rest of the Development team as needed by the Chief Development Officer.
• Develop personalized stewardship plans for top 50 current donors with high capability for new gifts
• Provide oversight for quantity and quality of research materials produced, particularly bios, profiles, ratings and briefing materials
• Develop and manage a formal planned giving program
• Develop and manage prospect and proposal tracking system
• Prepare administrative and management reports related to major gifts and planned giving activity

Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree
• Five + years of broad-based nonprofit experience managing and implementing complex fundraising programs with a proven track record in securing major gifts
• Proven ability and drive to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
• Demonstrated ability to participate meaningfully and creatively in goal setting, long- and short-term strategic planning, and problem-solving.
• Strong technical skills, particularly a comfort with relational databases and prospect management systems.
• Ability to organize multiple projects with high attention to detail.
• Excellent oral, written communication, and organizational skills.
• Negotiation, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to establish creditability and confidence with stakeholders and to deal with the public with diplomacy and tact.
• High degree of integrity, initiative, and professionalism as well as sound judgment.
• Self-starter with a resourceful and entrepreneurial spirit and an ability to act decisively.
• Understanding and belief in the mission of AFS-USA.
• Ability and willingness to work outside of standard business hours, including some weekends and evenings, including domestic and international travel on occasion.

Salary and Benefits:

AFS-USA is committed to attracting and retaining top quality staff. One way we support this goal is to offer a benefits package that is competitive.

AFS-USA’s wide array of benefits (including but not limited to health and dental coverage, retirement plan, short-term and long-term disability, fully funded life insurance, generous time-off, and commutation reimbursement) not only enhance your financial security and well-being, but also add significantly to your total compensation. Salary will be negotiated at the time of hire.

Work Conditions

Work hours are generally from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Some evening and weekend work will be required.  Domestic travel and some international travel required.

Other:

It is the policy AFS-USA to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, unemployment status, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law) predisposing genetic characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation.