Senior Major Gifts Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Major Gifts Officer is a full-time, salaried position that reports to the Vice President of Development. The SMGO will play a vital role in meeting the JFK Library Foundation’s ambitious campaign goals with a focus on securing five and six-figure gifts. As such, this position is responsible for identifying, engaging, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of donors, prospects, and institutional stakeholders for campaign giving. The ideal candidate will possess excellent relationship-building skills and an ability to develop strategy, cultivate, and solicit major and leadership gifts from a diverse donor base. This position will work with a variety of campaign volunteers, professional staff, and donors.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for qualifying 200-250 higher-capacity prospects, narrowing the pool to 100 viable donor prospects at the $100,000 or higher gift levels through identification and qualification activities.
• Serve as primary relationship manager to cultivate, steward, retain and upgrade your portfolio of 100 major individual donors and prospects, moving each in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and retention.
• Hold a minimum of 12-15 face-to-face donor visits a month with an emphasis on cultivating new and upgraded support for the JFKLF.
• Lead complex, multi-stakeholder major gift solicitations involving trustees, campaign volunteers, board leadership, and senior Foundation staff to secure campaign gifts.
• Manage all phases of the gift cycle, including identifying and qualifying new prospects, initiating contact with donors, customizing cultivation and solicitation strategies, engaging in direct solicitation or facilitating solicitation meetings as appropriate, and implementing stewardship initiatives.
• Communicate with prospects and donors through written and in-person interaction, solicitation, and stewardship meetings; ensure that each major donor and prospect has a clear strategy and timeline for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Prepare personalized solicitation packages, proposals and decks that focus on donor interests and recognition, as appropriate. Ensure timely follow-up and gift acknowledgement.
• Represent the Development team and engage prospects both onsite at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum, and offsite at donor meetings and events.
• Contribute to the planning of regional events, engagement opportunities, and senior leadership travel.
• Collaborate with staff responsible for gift processing and finance to ensure proper recording, allocation, documentation, acknowledgement, stewardship, and analysis of major gifts and pledges.
• Actively participate in prospect strategy meetings with the Vice President of Development and other frontline fundraising staff.
• Develop deep understanding of the JFK Library Foundation and JFK Presidential Library and Museum’s public-private partnership as well as each organization’s missions, programs, relevant departments and priorities to effectively communicate cases for support and gift opportunities.
• Conduct ongoing detailed research on donors and identify new prospective major gift donors.
• Manage and record all relevant donor information and interactions in Salesforce.
• Draft briefings and correspondence for senior leadership as needed.
• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development, including the articulation of an annual professional development plan.
• Work collaboratively with Foundation and Library staff and volunteers and participate in staff and committee meetings as appropriate.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• Keep informed of industry trends.
• This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least 5 years of frontline fundraising or related experience is required in major and leadership gift cultivation and solicitation, and portfolio management including donor stewardship and prospect research.
• A proven fundraising track record that includes directly soliciting, negotiating, and closing five- and six-figure gifts.
• A strong command of fundraising principles, including experience with annual giving and planned giving.
• Ability to develop, implement, and assess effective donor-centered fundraising strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport with prospects, donors, and volunteers with a customer-service orientation.
• Excellent judgment, diplomacy, and discretion, including the ability to maintain confidentiality in and outside of the organization, especially concerning donor relationships and information.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to relate to donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
• A natural affinity for collaboration and a high level of emotional intelligence and curiosity.
• Enthusiasm and passion for the JFK Library Foundation’s philanthropic mission and a desire to share it.
• Strong work ethic and proven ability to make decisions, self-motivate, and work independently and as a team player.
• Ability to utilize metrics to drive development decisions and achieve strategic objectives.
• Strong verbal/written communications skills.
• High level of organization and professionalism, and an ability to think creatively.
• Flexibility to travel often domestically and to work evenings and weekends as needed; combination of in-office and remote work.
• Ability to work well in a team-oriented, goals-driven department.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Salesforce preferred.

SALARY INFORMATION

The salary range for this position is $100,000-$148,000 annually. Placement within the range is based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. JFKLF offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plan with discretionary employer contribution, and professional development support.

BACKGROUND

Founded in 1963, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides financial support, staffing, and creative resources to ensure that the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum remains a vibrant living memorial to our 35th president. Our mission is to inspire public service, civic responsibility, civil rights, scientific discovery, and creative cultural pursuits by preserving and promoting the legacy of President Kennedy. The Foundation and Library are united in a common mission of furthering the ideals of public service and political participation, and perpetuating President Kennedy’s belief that one person can make a difference, and every person should try.

The Library's free programs for the public include: the Kennedy Library Forums; extensive, in-depth civics and history education for students and teachers; multicultural arts performances for families; naturalization programs for new citizens; and an online digital archive where anyone, anywhere can access the Library's historic treasures. Our annual John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award recognizes elected officials who have put the public interest ahead of their own political standing, exemplifying President Kennedy’s belief in the power of public service to strengthen our democracy and build a more just and peaceful world.

Interested and qualified candidates are asked to send a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to:

Maura Hammer, Vice President of Development

HR@JFKLFoundation.org

No phone calls please.