This position works closely with the Chief Development Officer.  Primary position responsible is identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and acknowledging major gifts in the Central and Gulf Coastal Ecosystem Region, including the central east coast. Participates in setting annual performance goals for development activity and results.  Manages a caseload of approximately 150 prospects ranging from established individual and corporate donors to new prospects with no prior Audubon association.  Reports to the Chief Development Officer to ensure effective cultivation of donors and successful closure of major gifts.

• Reach annual major gifts goals as part of performance objectives, by:
• Initiating contact and establishing rapport with new prospects, recent and lapsed major donors, board members, community leaders, and others who may have an interest in major funding of Audubon’s mission;
• Cultivating regional prospective donors in support of Audubon programs and activities while identifying their specialized interests;
• Working with Audubon staff to create strategies and approaches to elicit, match, or enhance donor giving as part of the cultivation and solicitation process;
• Managing a caseload of 150 prospects with varying charitable capacities and motivations to move them toward successful major gift closings;
• Tracking and reporting monthly on identification, cultivation, and closing of gifts in the context of annual performance goals;
• Performing short term duties elsewhere in the state of Florida, if needed.

Additional Functions

• Stays abreast of current legal, financial, and organizational developments in philanthropy;
• Builds and maintains consistent communications with key constituencies (board of directors, center directors, staff and volunteers) as well as prospects and donors as appropriate;
• May participate in additional support activities of state development department including “Bird-A-Thons,” special events, annual Assembly, and other meetings;
• Participation in development team planning of additional activities.

Relationship

Internal:

Audubon staff in all Florida locations and contacts in the Home Office, board of directors, and volunteers.

External:

Donors and prospects, as well as other organizations.

Qualifications (e.g., education, training, experience, licenses and skills)

• Bachelors degree required;
• Six to 10 years of professional development experience, including prior major gift solicitation; Planned Giving experience highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of central Florida donor base, community leadership, and philanthropic activity highly desirable;
• Be comfortable and productive in a fast-paced, collegial, team-oriented environment while being responsible for attaining annual performance goals;
• Be articulate and engaging, and receptive to donor interests and perspectives;
• Be well organized and able to handle details while pursuing overall goals;
• Able to adapt quickly to a new organization;
• Represents Audubon’s mission and philosophy with the highest professional standards;
• Computer literate; knowledge of Microsoft Office applications;
• Must have valid Florida Drivers License & automobile.