Major Gifts Officer

Company: Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
Location: Durham
Posted on: May 16, 2022

Job Description:

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society (Sigma Xi) seeks Major Gifts Officer at the Society's headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Sigma Xi is the world's largest multidisciplinary honor society for scientists and engineers. Our mission is to enhance the health of the research enterprise, foster integrity in science and engineering, and promote the public understanding of science for the purpose of improving the human condition. Nearly 30,000 scientists are active as Sigma Xi members and connected to hundreds of chapters at colleges and universities, government laboratories, and industry research centers around the world. More than 200 Nobel laureates have been members.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Major Gifts Officer is a senior frontline fundraiser who establishes and builds strong, authentic long-term relationships with donors in support of scientific research. Must be energetic, pro-active, and enjoy learning about various fields of science and engineering. Proven track record of closing 5-figure gifts required. Experience in estate giving vehicles a plus. Management experience preferred.
The Major Gifts Officer is a key member of the development team of Sigma Xi. This is a full-time, exempt position based in the Triangle; remote/hybrid position considered. Sigma Xi is committed to an inclusive work environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building an organization where all employees and North Carolinians can be proud. We eagerly anticipate applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, parental status, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
--- Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 donors (each with an estimated capacity to give $10,000 or more).
--- Create individual goals for each person in the portfolio based on the donor's history of giving and the organization's knowledge of that donor's potential.
--- Create a comprehensive cultivation and solicitation strategy for each donor in the portfolio and execute that strategy.
--- Directly solicit major and planned gifts, and partner with Director of Development or Programs Director in key solicitations.
--- Develop unique cultivation and stewardship opportunities and participate in broader donor cultivation events.
--- Manage Discover and Research Ambassador towards discovery of new major gift prospects
--- Track portfolio activity, communication, and progress. Create reports as required by
management that accurately reflect portfolio activity and performance.
--- Work with the appropriate program staff to secure project information to develop
personalized materials directed at individual donors/prospects that are in line with
donor interests, programmatic priorities.
--- Assist with donor research projects and prospect research.
--- Maintain working knowledge of local and national programmatic priorities and issues as
they occur.
--- Other duties as necessary.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The Major Gifts Officer, reporting to the Director of Development, will serve as a key member
of our development team. The Major Gifts Officer will help raise transformative gifts that will
expand and sustain our ambitious programmatic goals by:
--- Directly interacting with donors (both virtually and when health and safety regulations
allow in-person meetings to resume) by helping them fulfill their passions and interests
through their giving to Sigma Xi.
--- Playing a key role in managing relationships with existing donors and securing new
sources of funding that will support scientific research nationwide and internationally.
--- Being responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of approximately 100 donors
(each with an estimated capacity to give $10,000 or more) and creating and maintaining
strategies for high-level donor stewardship.
--- Greatly expanding the number of leadership gifts ($10,000+) and planned gifts from
Sigma Xi supporters.
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES
--- Proven track record of soliciting and closing gifts in the $10,000 - $50,000 + range.
--- Demonstrated ability to achieve revenue goals.
--- Experience establishing and building strong, long-term partnerships with donors. A
proven record of securing visits with prospective donors, and soliciting, closing, and
stewarding four and five-figure gifts. The most competitive candidates also will have
proven experience converting new donors/prospects into major donors.
--- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity. inclusion, and belonging, using a
personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in race, ethnicity,
age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic
circumstances.
--- Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving
obstacles and/or conflicts.
--- Ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and build relationships across
differences.
--- Exceptional attention to detail, ability to manage multiple tasks and finish projects
within deadlines.
--- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
--- Flexibility and ability to work under pressure.
--- Demonstrated non-profit development experience is preferred. Direct work soliciting
donors and closing and stewarding major gifts is ideal.
--- Passion for science preferred.
--- Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office technology (i.e.,
Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
--- Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for building strong professional relationships
with donors, board members, volunteers, staff, and the public.
--- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to speak
comfortably and compellingly with donors about the potential impact of their
philanthropic investments in Sigma Xi.
--- Experience working with CRMs and knowledge of philanthropic resources is a plus.
--- The ability to work occasional evening, weekend, and irregular hours and to travel
nationwide as needed.
WORK CONDITIONS
This is a full-time remote/hybrid position based out of the Research Triangle Park headquarters.
Some night and weekend work required.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range is $60,000 - $65,000. Employer sponsored health insurance with the
option to select between comprehensive, valuable plans. Premier dental and vision plan. 403(B) retirement plans, short -term and long-term disability upon completion of one year of service. Generous paid time off including vacation and holidays. Flexible scheduling, pursuant to position. Work that engages a diverse and dynamic community of educators and learners, with the shared vision of shaping a better future for scientific researchers.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position requires the ability to sit or stand, speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 10 lbs. Requires the ability to travel frequently including locally, nationally, and internationally.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the
individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sigma Xi offers competitive salaries, attractive benefits, and a collegial work environment.
Please send resume and cover letter indicating salary requirements to:

Jasmine Shah
Director of Finance and Administration
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
Post Office Box 13975
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3975
Email: hrdept@sigmaxi.org.
Deadline for resumes is May 6, 2022.

Sigma Xi is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Keywords: Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, Durham , Major Gifts Officer, Other , Durham, North Carolina