Major Gifts & Event Manager, Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida

FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SUPERVISOR: President & Chief Executive Officer
LOCATION: St. Petersburg, Florida
DATE PREPARED: October 20, 2016

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Major Gifts & Events Manager will work closely with the President & CEO to manage the Foundation’s major ($10,000+) and principal ($1 million+) gifts fund raising program and associated events, including the Foundation’s annual BlueGreen Gala.  S/he will manage the major gift fundraising components of the Foundation’s philanthropy database and the Foundation’s prospect tracking system, ensuring the timely and accurate entry of prospect information. S/he will organize prospect strategy meetings to help ensure the best possible cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies are in place for each prospective major donor.

The Major Gifts & Events Manager will also work closely with the Foundation Board of Directors, assisting the CEO and Board with strategic, logistical and administrative aspects of their fund raising and other roles as board members.  S/he will organize calls and meetings with board members and prospective donors and oversee the logistics of board and board committee meetings.  S/he will assume principal responsibility for planning the Foundation’s fund-raising related events, working closely with the Annual Giving and Membership Manager and other staff, interns and volunteers in carrying out Foundation events.

The Major Gifts & Events Manager, along with the Annual Giving & Membership Manager, will provide some administrative support to the President and CEO.  The Major Gifts & Events Manager reports to the President & CEO and may oversee the work of interns, short-term staff, vendors, volunteers, and eventually other full-time staff.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Manage the Foundation’s prospect tracking spreadsheet(s) and philanthropy database as major gifts fund raising tools, ensuring timely and accurate entry of information. 
• Interact at a high level with members of the Board, FWC staff, prospective major donors, the media, vendors and the public at large.
• Work with the Annual Giving & Membership Manager to ensure timely and tailored acknowledgement of all $1,000+ charitable gifts. Ensure a post-gift cultivation plan is in place and followed for each major donor. 
• Assume principal responsibility for the design and execution of the Foundation’s annual BlueGreen Gala and other events, working closely with the President & CEO, Board members and other volunteer leadership.
• Oversee the planning and execution of the Foundation’s fund raising-related events, from small breakfast meetings to the BlueGreen Gala. 
• Work closely with Board members to help capture their interactions with prospects and provide administrative and logistical support to the Board, preparing fund raising-related Board and committee materials, scheduling and planning Board meetings and donor meetings involving board members.
• Help provide administrative support to the President and CEO.
• Supervise interns, short-term or contract employees, and over time, other permanent staff of the Foundation.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ related work experience in an office setting or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence, with the ability to interact successfully with donors, Board members, work colleagues, state employees and the public at large.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and practices, preferably in a nonprofit environment, is desired.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects at the same time.
• Aptitude for database management and spreadsheet software, along with ability to navigate the Internet to uncover information. Solid knowledge of word-processing and general computer skills.  Knowledge of Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge or other philanthropy software a plus.
• Experience in or appreciation for conservation and the out-of-doors a plus.

COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:

• Ability to manage projects with many variables, set realistic deadlines and manage to a timeline. 
• Ability to adapt or modify projects and processes in response to changing circumstances, often on short notice.
• Ability to interpret guidelines and analyze factual information.

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:

• Duties are performed under general supervision and established guidelines.  
• Demonstrates common sense, flexibility and teamwork with ability to exercise independent judgement.
• Opportunity to act independently on assigned tasks.  Refers difficult questions and unusual problems to supervisors.

RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT – FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:

• May supervise administrative staff and/or volunteers, interns, or temporary staff.
• Financial responsibility may include working within a budget to complete projects, and assisting with budget development and meeting fundraising goals.

• Works within scope of program’s strategic goals.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:

• Demonstrated experience using effective interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong professional relationships and motivate staff and volunteers.
• Well-developed written and oral communication, negotiating and organizational skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• Work is performed in a typical office setting and requires only minor physical exertion and/or physical strain.  Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements.
• Occasional overnight travel, usually within Florida, required.
• Must have personal transportation to run errands, attend meetings, etc.

To Apply, Email or Mail Cover Letter and Resume by November 14, 2016 to:

Andrew Walker
President & CEO
Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida
c/o The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
100 Eighth Avenue SE, Room 201
St. Petersburg, FL   33701
Email:  awalker@wildlifeflorida.org                    
No phone calls please.

The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer.