Director, Major Giving (West) – United States of America

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic well-being and energy to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 on the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGOs). It operates in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities, helping people survive, regain control of their futures and strengthen their communities. As a force for humanity, IRC staff create lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions of people. If you are a solution-focused, passionate changemaker, join us and positively impact the lives of millions around the world for a better future.

Job overview

The External Relations (ER) Division is comprised of three complementary main functional areas: Private Fundraising, Communications, and Advocacy. The Division’s primary goal is to provide this organization of more than 15,000 employees with the resources needed to continue serving 18 million people worldwide in places affected by war and disaster. The Philanthropy Division, part of the ER Division, leads the organization’s work with high-net-worth individuals. The Major Giving West team is located within the U.S. Philanthropy Division and aims to increase private individual support for the IRC by soliciting, nurturing, recruiting, and servicing significant, multi-year commitments from high-net-worth individual supporters from the Western U.S. (west of the Mississippi).

The Director of Major Giving West will lead the IRC’s Major Giving program in the Western Region by managing a portfolio of donors, prospective donors, and suspects with a minimum of $500,000 and up to $2.5 million in assets. He will also manage a team of approximately 8 fundraisers.
The Director develops and implements fundraising strategies for their portfolio and mentors and leads the team to optimize the size and impact of gifts to IRC. They encourage fundraisers to act as relationship managers by using donor-centered fundraising practices and engaging IRC leaders throughout the donor lifecycle to qualify, nurture, acquire and manage five- and six-figure gifts.

The Director plays a critical role in developing and implementing strategies based on ambitious revenue targets. He/she is expected to understand the needs and performance of donors and prospective donors, communicate and collaborate excellently with colleagues, think strategically and offer creative solutions to continually grow and improve donor relationships.

Main responsibilities

Fundraising

· Manage a small portfolio of major donors, prospects and suspects to retain donors and drive ever-larger donations in the six- and seven-figure range.

· Develop and implement fundraising strategies for the Major Giving portfolio to optimize the size and impact of donations to IRC.

· Travel and meet with a portfolio of donors and prospects throughout the Western United States.

· Achieve goals and metrics related to donor visits, fundraising appeals, completed gifts and pledges, and other key performance indicators.

Team Management

· Oversee a team of front-line fundraisers, inspiring, motivating and challenging them through active mentoring and fostering an environment that supports new ideas and innovative approaches to donor relationship management.

· Provide diverse and effective thought leadership in the team’s efforts to increase financial returns and other forms of private sector engagement that support effective delivery of the IRC’s mission.

· Work with the Senior Director to develop a strategic plan that includes setting annual goals and key results for the team and developing standards, tools and processes for a world-class approach to donor engagement and fundraising.

· Mentor fundraisers and support their professional development at the IRC and within the fundraising industry, including building skills in potential strategy.

· Lead the direct and indirect administration of the entire MG West team, which consists of 8 people.

Candidate requirements:

• Over 10 years of experience in fundraising for nonprofit organizations and expertise in fundraising for high net worth individuals.

• Proven experience as a manager supporting and empowering frontline fundraisers

Preferred experience and skills:

• Consistent track record of securing six- and seven-figure donations from a complex portfolio of donors and prospects, including prospect qualification and donor upgrading.

• Experience leading and directly overseeing front-line fundraising efforts.

• Ability to lead, empower and develop a hard-working and complex team.

• Consistent development of mixed and multi-year financing options.

• Excellent communication skills, including writing, listening, oral presentation and speaking.

• Ability to develop creative and multifaceted giving strategies, often in collaboration with program staff or senior management.

• Adaptable to change in a fast-paced work environment, keeping donor priorities at the heart of strategy and relationship building.

• Ability to collaborate empathetically internally across teams, regardless of distance, gain support for initiatives and implement them effectively.

• Ability to identify, build and implement processes critical to supporting effective donor relationships;

• Ability to analyze and interpret financial data.

• Ability to navigate CRM systems.

• Commitment to raising funds for international development, humanitarian assistance, human rights, gender and racial equity, social justice, and U.S. immigrant communities.

Work environment: Requires remote working/flexitime.

Compensation:

Salary ranges shown are for applicants based in the United States. Ranges are based on a variety of factors, including the labor market, type of job, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated based on job location, individual experience of the applicant, and skills relative to defined job requirements.

Benefits for the USA:

The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package. All U.S. employees are eligible for sick leave, a 403b retirement savings plan: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution plus 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program available to our employees and their families during times of crisis and mental health issues.

In addition, full-time employees are entitled to 10 paid U.S. holidays, 20 to 25 paid vacation days, disability and life insurance, medical, dental and vision insurance (employee contributions start at $135, $7 and $5 per month, respectively), and FSA for healthcare, child care and commuter expenses. Part-time employees are entitled to prorated paid vacation. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month period.

Professional standard: The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values ​​and principles set out in the IRC Way – our code of conduct – which are integrity, service, accountability and equality.

Commitment to gender equality, equality, diversity and inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all people are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits discrimination, harassment, retaliation or bullying of IRC staff and does not tolerate these in any work environment. We strive to increase representation of women, people from the countries and communities we serve, and people who identify as members of racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in global power structures.