World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Senior Development Officer, Gift Planning (Eastern Region)

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Senior Director, Gift Planning

Major Function

The Senior Development Officer, Gift Planning works with donors and prospects within an assigned region (WWF’s Eastern Region-Eastern US) to cultivate, qualify and close gifts to WWF. This is accomplished by following up on marketing generated leads, suspect assignments and donor outreach and engaging donors in discussions about giving to WWF through wills, charitable/living trusts, annuities, and other complex gift arrangements. This position is also responsible for ongoing stewardship of these donors through continued outreach including letters, emails, calls, and in-person visits. This position also acts as the gift planning resource for other regional fundraising staff, collaborating to close gifts and steward donors, and working towards WWF fundraising goals. Position is preferably based at WWF Headquarters in Washington, DC but will consider remote candidates within the region.

Salary: The expected compensation range for this position is $92,800 to $116,000

• Responds to gift planning prospects generated by a successful integrated print and multi-media marketing program and through outreach to highly rated suspects.
• Follows-up in a timely manner to discuss potential planned gifts, identify additional gifts and/or increased interest and commitment to WWF.
• Develops and maintains a portfolio of current and prospective donors for cultivation and follow up, looking to increase their interest and commitment to WWF, and educating them on giving opportunities. fostering strong, long-term relationships through consistent stewardship, including donor visits.
• Works collaboratively with regional philanthropy and annual giving teams to provide gift planning expertise to increase inquiries about complex and blended gifts and bequest commitments.
• Prepares a variety of life income gift proposals for donors and/or their advisors as needed and ably discusses gift specifics with the donor and/or advisors.
• Keeps abreast of both WWF program developments and the laws regarding charitable giving to share with donors and regional team members, as appropriate.
• Supports the planning and development of donor events within the region and leads the planning for at least one gift planning focused donor event per year.
• Provides the Senior Director and team with information and insights gleaned from extensive donor contacts in order to help refine marketing materials and team procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies

1. Interpersonal Communication and Collaboration: Communicates effectively with people, both internally with WWF regional development colleagues/gift planning teammates and externally with donors and advisors as they consider including gift planning options. Able to adapt communication style to the appropriate audience and understand the value of different communication and behavior styles.
2. Empathy: Showing empathy in working with donors, particularly older donors. Understanding their feelings and perspectives as they consider creating their estate plans and making a gift to WWF.
3. Organization and Attention to Detail: Ability to organize and prioritize work proactively and adapt as priorities change or timely donor-specific questions arise. Close attention to detail, especially when creating and sharing gift proposals and other gift specific documentation and when documenting interactions with donors.
4. Reliability/Follow through: Ability to work independently and with limited supervision. Follow through with both internal assignments/tasks and with donor requests and stewardship touches, which can include phone, email, or in person outreach. Work toward states performance goals both individual and team benchmarks.
5. Time Management:Works to effectively manage work responsibilities and uses time effectively, prioritizing donor contact and outreach. Helps establish and re-evaluates work plan and short-term goals proactively, communicating to management and teammates as to progress to goals. Timely track tasks and donor outreach in CRM to show progression toward goals.

• A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 6 years’ professional experience; or an advanced degree with a minimum of 3-years’ of demonstrated experience in fundraising/development and gift planning is required.
• Relevant professional credential or planned giving certification preferred (CPA, JD, CFP, CAP, CGPA, CFRE, etc.)
• Experience with planned gift vehicles and assets, and comfort with financial concepts.
• Able to communicate confidently, accurately, and clearly the financial and charitable components of planned gifts with prospects and their advisors.
• Able to prioritize and operate with independence, to meet deadlines and commitments.
• Demonstrates empathy, patience and compassion.
• Ability and willingness to travel for WWF events and donor visits (approximately once a month)
• Excellent listening, writing and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and follow-through on prospect management.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word; familiar with Excel.
• Experience with planned gift calculation software (PG Calc, Crescendo, for example) required.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #25012
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.