Senior Development Officer, Philanthropic Partnerships

Title: Senior Development Officer, Philanthropic Partnerships

Job Family/Level: Development/Senior Specialist

Reports to: Senior Director, Philanthropic Partnerships

FLSA status: Exempt

Employee Type: Regular

Revised Date: November 2023

Major Function

In collaboration with Philanthropic Partnerships team, Senior Development Officer identifies, cultivates, solicits, and manages the stewardship of foundation donors and prospects, working toward achieving World Wildlife Fund’s annual foundation fundraising goal of $28M+.

Key Responsibilities

• In close partnership with Philanthropic Partnerships and Program staff, takes responsibility for raising funds in relevant program areas and develops fundraising and cultivation strategies for assigned prospects and donors. Implements and manages strategies toward the successful management of portfolio and contributes to the development of departmental and high-level donor strategies.
• Makes regular cultivation and solicitation visits and/or calls to foundation prospects and current donors, including accompanying program staff. Coordinates preparation of research and briefing materials for own visits/calls and for visits/calls by executives, program staff, and/or other development staff.
• Monitors trends in giving and integrates findings into fundraising strategies. Meets regularly with assigned WWF-US program teams and WWF Network offices and keeps abreast of programmatic developments for application in fundraising strategies and donor relations. Advises US and Network program staff on cultivation strategies for foundation donors. Researches prospects and develops cultivation and solicitation strategies for assigned portfolio.
• Maintains strong relationships with program staff at all levels of the WWF organization. Initiates and maintains relationships with foundation donors and prospects.
• Manages large, complex proposals and high-level donor relationships. Writes, edits and coordinates concept notes and proposals, ensuring compliance with foundation interests and guidelines and promoting coordination across internal teams.
• Coordinates with Program Operations to develop budgets and budget narratives to submit with concept notes and proposals.
• Coordinates stewardship for grants in assigned portfolio, working with appropriate teams to develop required reports and updates and ensure compliance with donor requirements and guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

  Skills and Abilities

  • A bachelor’s degree is required (or equivalent experience). An advanced degree in a related field is preferred (or equivalent experience).
  • A minimum of six years of professional experience in the development or programmatic space is required.
  • Strong knowledge of conservation/environmental issues is required.
  • Should possess a demonstrated interest in environmental policy, wildlife conservation issues, and a commitment to the goals of World Wildlife Fund.
  • Must demonstrate a successful record of communicating effectively or fundraising with major foundation or government donors.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational ability.
  • Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
  • Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
    • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
    • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
    • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
    • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

      Responsibilities

      • In close partnership with Philanthropic Partnerships and Program staff, takes responsibility for raising funds in relevant program areas and develops fundraising and cultivation strategies for assigned prospects and donors. Implements and manages strategies toward the successful management of portfolio and contributes to the development of departmental and high-level donor strategies.
      • Makes regular cultivation and solicitation visits and/or calls to foundation prospects and current donors, including accompanying program staff. Coordinates preparation of research and briefing materials for own visits/calls and for visits/calls by executives, program staff, and/or other development staff.
      • Monitors trends in giving and integrates findings into fundraising strategies. Meets regularly with assigned WWF-US program teams and WWF Network offices and keeps abreast of programmatic developments for application in fundraising strategies and donor relations. Advises US and Network program staff on cultivation strategies for foundation donors. Researches prospects and develops cultivation and solicitation strategies for assigned portfolio.
      • Maintains strong relationships with program staff at all levels of the WWF organization. Initiates and maintains relationships with foundation donors and prospects.
      • Manages large, complex proposals and high-level donor relationships. Writes, edits and coordinates concept notes and proposals, ensuring compliance with foundation interests and guidelines and promoting coordination across internal teams.
      • Coordinates with Program Operations to develop budgets and budget narratives to submit with concept notes and proposals.
      • Coordinates stewardship for grants in assigned portfolio, working with appropriate teams to develop required reports and updates and ensure compliance with donor requirements and guidelines.
      • Performs other duties as assigned.

        Qualifications

        • A bachelor’s degree is required (or equivalent experience). An advanced degree in a related field is preferred (or equivalent experience).
        • A minimum of six years of professional experience in the development or programmatic space is required.
        • Strong knowledge of conservation/environmental issues is required.
        • Should possess a demonstrated interest in environmental policy, wildlife conservation issues, and a commitment to the goals of World Wildlife Fund.
        • Must demonstrate a successful record of communicating effectively or fundraising with major foundation or government donors.
        • Ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
        • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
        • Excellent organizational ability.
        • 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.

            WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

            To Apply:

          • Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #24061
          • 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.