Senior Director, Individual Giving

Summary: This Senior Director position is for a motivated and results driven fundraiser interested in cultivating and stewarding donors, working with a broad range of stakeholders, and communicating Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s (BGCB) mission and impact. Reporting to the Vice President of Development, they will provide the overall vision for an integrated and comprehensive individual giving program responsible for raising more than $11M annually in operating support. The role requires strategic coordination of all major, annual and planned giving components including significantly growing the prospect pool of individuals who have the capacity to give up to $100,000, all affinity-based fundraising and engagement opportunities designed to increase the number of annual donors, direct mail and appeals, working with volunteer leadership, and collaborating on successful fundraising and cultivation events. They should have experience with managing Board level volunteers, possess a strong familiarity with gift planning vehicles and best practices and have a successful track record in closing major and planned gifts. Most critically, this person will manage a portfolio of prospects capable of giving $25,000 - $100,000 annually as well a portfolio of planned giving donors and prospects, and will cultivate, directly solicit, and steward these donors. They will manage a team and up to five direct reports and serve as a member of the Development & Marketing leadership team, working closely with colleagues to create and ensure programmatic integration of individual giving within the larger strategic plan to achieve revenue goals. The ideal candidate has excellent relationship management, persuasive writing and communication skills, successful track record in securing gifts at all levels, and thrives in a face-paced environment and is a team player.

Responsibilities

• Commitment to BGCB’s mission, constantly learning and maintaining a thorough understanding of Club programming to inform creative ways to develop personalized funding proposals for top donors.
• Primary architect for individual giving strategic plan, providing leadership and vision to the team and organization.
• Analyze current individual giving and planned giving programs to enhance philanthropic efforts. Establish benchmarks and regular reporting processes to measure results of all annual giving activities.
• Provide leadership in developing appropriate systems and processes for managing the planned giving program. Work with the Senior Director of Development Operations to ensure accurate recording and administration of all planned gift vehicles. Serve as liaison to the Finance Office on planned giving matters, ensuring accurate reporting of deferred gift assets and other planned gifts to endowment.
• Design dynamic multi-channel strategies designed to grow and diversify donor-base, engage and retain existing donors, and encourage giving at higher levels.
• Work closely with Vice President of Development to establish revenue and expense projections for all individual giving activities, adjusting business plans according to results. Responsible for 3- to 5-year business unit planning.
• Partner with the Major Gift and Planned Giving Officer in the design and implementation of all aspects of a comprehensive organization-wide planned giving program. Work to integrate planned giving into cultivation and solicitation cycle across Individual Giving team. Seve as an in-house planned giving expert for fundraising staff and volunteer solicitors.
• Oversee a comprehensive marketing program to promote legacy giving, including planned giving materials such as brochures, newsletters, website information and targeted mailings to educate and increase awareness in partnership with the Major Gift and Planned Giving Officer and the Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
• Manage a portfolio of top major donors and prospects, mostly in the five- to six-figure range. Cultivate, steward, and solicit prospects through face-to-face visits and personalized proposal development as needed. Oversee internal donor tracking and moves management for the portfolio and achieve at least 60 donor visits per year.
• Lead and oversee all programs for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for gifts up to $100,000 from individual donors. Actively seek and manage donor engagement activities at BGCB Clubs.
• Supervise high-performing frontline fundraisers responsible for committee management, impact reporting, engagement strategies, soliciting donors, special acknowledgements, and more.
• Partner with team members on articulating sophisticated case for support, meaningful stewardship, direct mail campaign, bi-annual appeal, digital fundraising, and monthly giving program.
• Strategically work with Director of Annual Giving and volunteer leadership to identify potential constituency groups building on the success of Artemis Circle and Friends Council.
• Work closely with the special events, communications, and donor relations team to support fundraising efforts. Develop and sustain productive and collaborative relationships across the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Work Demands)

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 10+ years of front-line fundraising experience and

demonstrated success in developing and executing successful strategies to grow and sustain individual giving.

• Experience with Board Committee management, peer-to-peer solicitation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of individual giving vehicles including planned giving.
• Highly collaborative, communicative, and transparent, with the ability to build strong and effective internal and external relationships.
• Excellent writing and organizational skills; strong follow through and attention to detail; high-level analytical, problem-solving, and presentation skills.
• Goal-oriented with proven track record for directly securing gifts.
• Prior management experience, inspiring and motivating team leader.
• Ability to work effectively with board leadership, senior management, and other high-end stakeholders.
• Sense of humor and ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Experience and aptitude for working with fundraising databases, Raiser’s Edge preferred.
• Willingness and ability to work select early mornings and evenings as needed.