Job Description

Autism Speaks is seeking a front-line fundraiser responsible for managing a portfolio of approximately 100–120 individual donors and prospects with the capacity to make significant philanthropic contributions. Director, Individual Giving & Philanthropy will lead donors through all stages of the moves management cycle, with a focus on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Director will work in close collaboration with the Vice President of Individual Giving, Director of Individual Giving & Philanthropy, regional Executive Directors, and other cross-functional partners to advance strategic donor engagement across key markets. With a goal of generating $1 million in annual revenue, the ideal candidate will be a dynamic relationship builder with a track record of securing major gifts, a deep understanding of donor strategy, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative and mission-driven environment.

While the position is remote, ideal candidate will be located in the Mid-Atlantic, New Jersey, Eastern PA, New York State or New England markets (or open to qualified candidates that may sit outside of this region)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Major Gift Lead Generation, Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship:

• Lead the development and growth of the major gift portfolio for Autism Speaks.
• Collaborate with the Community Engagement team to:
• Serve as the strategic lead for major gift fundraising efforts in assigned markets.
• Partner with Executive Directors to identify, qualify, and advance a pipeline of major gift prospects, leveraging local insights and relationships.
• Maximize donor engagement and pipeline development through strategic participation in local events, identifying cultivation and stewardship opportunities.
• Conduct regular strategy meetings with Executive Directors to review portfolio progress, align on donor approaches, and surface new opportunities.
• Implement proven major gift strategies to:
• Identify and engage a greater number of new leads.
• Increase the volume of new, qualified relationships onto the major gift portfolio.
• Deepen relationships with those in the portfolio who have six, seven and eight-figure capacity.
• Solicit gifts that support the priority programs of Autism Speaks with an emphasis on high five, six and seven + figure gift conversations.
• Engage with colleagues and volunteers across the organization who can inform and help major gift lead generation activity for the region.
• Work with the VP, Individual Giving and Autism Speaks leadership to develop and implement thoughtful moves and experiences for the region’s major gift portfolio.
• Foster strong partnerships across departments, serving as a collaborative and solutions-oriented partner to internal teams. Contribute to a culture of shared success by supporting colleagues on the major gifts team and across the broader relationship development division, ensuring alignment and integration of fundraising strategies.
• Actively learn the programs, and priority initiatives of Autism Speaks (as per our strategic plan) and convey this vision and work to donors and prospective donors. Seek to introduce appropriate donors and prospects to leadership and content experts throughout the relationship cultivation process.
• Seek to maximize giving capacity in solicitations with a particular emphasis on increased giving where / when appropriate.
• Have comfort with clear annual goals and weekly, monthly, quarterly measurement of activity toward these goals.
• Work with Development Operations team to guide back-office support, including prospect research, necessary to grow the region’s portfolio.
• Demonstrate discipline to prepare thoroughly for all donor visits and conduct pre and post visit briefings with staff / volunteer leadership.
• Offer input on the development of major gift donor materials and communications for the division overall and the region specifically.

Fiscal Responsibility:

• Meet or exceed agreed upon major gift revenue and key activity metric goals (each year).
• Forecast revenue from the region’s major gift portfolio on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.
• Remain current and have ability to analyze major gift revenue trends in key markets in the region.

Planning and Management:

• Create and implement a long-term business plan to strategically grow major gift relationships and revenue in key markets across the region.
• Identify and utilize key volunteers who can influence and help advance this major gift growth plan.
• Follow the Relationship Development division’s database protocols and expectations – use the Razor’s Edge database to accurately reflect regional portfolio growth, moves, revenue outcomes.

(The responsibilities listed above are representative and not all inclusive. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor/s. As outlined in your performance goal setting forms, you will be responsible for achieving the goals provided by and agreed upon with your manager.)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS – Education / Professional

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7-10 years of specific, dedicated major gift experience in a non-profit, fundraising setting. 10 or more years of professional working experience.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS – Key Professional Attributes

• Proven track record closing 6 and 7 figure gifts.
• Superior interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence donors to support the organization.
• Ability to show initiative and resourcefulness to meet the needs of the donors.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, as well as strong presentation skills.
• Ability to monitor budgets and produce reports and other correspondence in a timely fashion.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Comprehensive knowledge of development and major gift development / fundraising.
• Experience working in a mission-driven organization and achieving aggressive fundraising goals.
• Open and collaborative work style, conducive to engaging external and internal partners.
• Adept at problem-solving; have good judgment; have integrity in all that they do.
• Excellent listening skills; ability to match donors to appropriate program, strategic priority. Results-oriented and motivated with an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising.
• Commitment to and passion for the mission of Autism Speaks.
• Professional demeanor; demonstrated social skills with individuals as well as with large groups.
• Ability to travel easily and frequently to key markets across the region.
• Proficient with CRM (StratusLive) and MS Office, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Building Collaborative Relationships
• Professional Behavior
• Results Driven
• Customer Orientation
• Flexibility

You are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all Autism Speaks data and information to which you have access.

Autism Speaks is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive workplace. We recruit, evaluate, employ, and promote candidates without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity or expression, protected veteran or military status, disability or other legally protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for job openings. Reasonable accommodations will be provided . All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

About Autism Speaks:

At Autism Speaks, our mission is to promote solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Together with our broad and diverse community, we strive every day to achieve our vision of a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential. This mission and vision drive every member of our staff; our employees are inspired, energized and motivated by the impact we can collectively have on behalf of the autism community.

Autism Speaks celebrates every success achieved to create a kinder, more inclusive world for people with autism, and we work collaboratively across departments to find solutions that will do the most good for the most people.

Just as we strive to enhance lives today and accelerate a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow for people on the spectrum, we also aim to enhance the lives of our dedicated employees, through thick and thin.

Salary & Benefits:

Autism Speaks offers a competitive compensation, benefit and vacation package. We also provide flex work hours, weekly training sessions, tuition reimbursement and summer bonus Fridays in addition to a creative, innovative, collaborative, inclusive, kind and fun work environment.

Autism Speaks is an employer that participates in E-Verify

Salary range is $100k-$125k depending on candidate's relevant years of experience and geography.

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