Advancement Director, West

Job activities include but are not limited to:

1. Portfolio Management

   1. Personally manages a portfolio of high-potential prospects and donors by identifying and cultivating  new prospects.  

   2.  Engages with prospects and donors through face-to-face meetings, phone, video conference, digital  engagements, and writing based on a clear strategy for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.  

   3. Solicits assigned donors for gifts of $25,000 and more to meet organizational priorities and annual  projected fundraising revenue goals.  

   4. In collaboration with the Sr. Managing Director, Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) and other  Advancement Team members, identifies and pursues new prospects, developing and implementing a  clear strategy for each prospect, leading to new and increased giving over time by connecting donor  philanthropic priorities with Sierra Club’s programs and priorities.  

   5. Leverages donor engagement events in the West and Northwest geographic regions to identify,  cultivate and solicit new and existing prospects and donors.  

   6. Prepares and sends donor correspondence, including written solicitations and proposals. 

   7. Develops and maintains an in-depth knowledge of the organization’s activities, priorities and needs.  Applies this knowledge in matching the interests and needs of prospective donors with the strategic  needs of the organization and campaigns.  

   8. Captures all interactions and relationships in the donor database in a timely manner. 30%-40% travel is likely for this role with travel occurring across the country.  

2. Strategic Planning and Execution 

   1. Drives strategies and plans to identify, cultivate, upgrade and/or solicit new donors, with an eye  towards building a strong pipeline of qualified major donors and high-net-worth individuals with the  capacity to give $25,000 or greater.  

   2.  Maintain knowledge and expertise in environmental issues broadly, including climate change, clean  energy, land, water and wildlife conservation. Work with Campaign and Chapter key staff and teams to  help develop and implement relevant major gift programs, initiatives, events, and materials. 

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

• Senior-level, extensive experience, equivalent combination of experience and education in  development and major gift fundraising, including a strong background in the identification,  qualification and cultivation and solicitation of six and higher figure gifts to nonprofit organizations or  similar equivalent experience. 

• Proven ability and inclination to build a portfolio of prospects and grow a revenue pipeline through  active identification, qualification and cultivation strategies 

• Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, planned giving, financial and/or estate planning  concepts, and campaign planning.  

• Personal success identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual and  institutional donors at the major and principal gifts levels, and ability to inspire high-net-worth  individuals and institutional funders to provide significant financial support to an organization. 

• Deep understanding of and appreciation for the philanthropic process and individual giving behaviors.

• Experience working with organizational leadership, preferably in a non-profit setting. 

• Ability to develop strong, positive, and constructive relationships with internal and external  stakeholders; high emotional intelligence and flexibility, with the ability to continually experiment, learn,  and revise strategies; and the exceptional ability to juggle a heavy volume of diverse projects.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines and fundraising goals.

• Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills and demonstrated ability to handle complex  environmental and social justice issues and translate information about them to diverse audiences in  ways that are consistent with the Sierra Club’s mission and goals and that will encourage long-lasting  connections to the organization. 

• Proficiency with fundraising databases and MS Office applications. 

• Passion for the Sierra Club’s commitment to environmental and social justice. 

• Positive energy and good humor that engenders enthusiasm and collaboration. 

• Ability to integrate seamlessly into existing regional and national Advancement teams.

• Ability to travel 30-40% of the time as needed across the country.  

• Committed to evolution.You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.

• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.