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Job opening: Development Officer (Lake Charles)    

POSITION SUMMARY
Implement a focused major gifts development plan with the goals of cultivating relationships, stewarding donors, and soliciting gifts from major donors and prospects within a targeted region in southwest Louisiana. The primary focus is on individual donors, but this position will also have a portfolio with corporations and foundations. This position is also accountable for regional fundraising events. The Lake Charles Development Officer will work in collaboration with the Southwest Regional Director, Development and Communications Team, Chief Strategy Officer, President and CEO, other members of the Executive Leadership Team, and the company’s Regional Advisory Committee and Board on major gifts strategy and execution.
Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to the success of the company; that contribution should not be limited by the work identified assigned tasks and overall responsibilities. Each employee is expected to offer his/her talents, expertise, and services whenever necessary to ensure the achievement of company goals.

ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Develop and execute a plan for soliciting gifts and developing a major gift plan in the context of an annual revenue goal for individual, corporate, and foundation major gifts and sponsorships.
• Manage a portfolio of 50-100 donors and prospects. This includes all phases of the gift cycle (identifying and qualifying new prospects, initiating contact with donors, customizing cultivation and solicitation strategies, engaging in direct solicitation or facilitating solicitation meetings as appropriate, and implementing stewardship initiatives). Prepare personalized solicitation packages that focus on organizational needs, funder interests, and recognition, as appropriate.
• Help plan and execute significant donor cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising events.
• Assist with capital campaign planning and strategy and the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of capital campaign donors.
• Responsible for managing a regional advisory board.
• Work closely with Second Harvest’s Development Committee and Board of Directors on major donor strategy, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Collaborate with the Community Relations Manager, Grants Team, and Volunteer Services on corporate and foundation giving and sponsorships. Solicit sponsorships for fundraising events.
• Strong orientation towards an analytical and data/goal-driven major gifts program. Work closely with the Director of Development and Donor Services Supervisor to implement the portfolio management system, measurement, and reporting metrics/progress in Raiser’s Edge. Report monthly on activity and results compared to goals and objectives. Consistently maintain up-to-date data, notes, and actions in Raiser’s Edge.
• Cooperate with the President and CEO and Chief Philanthropy Officer on board giving, with a focus on 100% board participation. Develop incentive programs to motivate growth.
• Collaborate with Communications Team on select donor materials. Participate in media interviews as a spokesperson for Second Harvest, as requested.
• Be able to translate the company’s mission and programs into fundraising initiatives that garner strong and consistent financial support.
• Spend the majority of the time out of the office engaging with donors. Work independently and be self-motivated in contacting donors through face-to-face meetings and solicitations.
• Engage in networking and ongoing professional development activities.
• Participate in meetings and committees as appropriate.
• Comply with all SHFB policies and procedures.
• Maintain a professional, positive, and courteous demeanor.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet company needs.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s Degree required. An advanced degree and/or CFRE certification is a plus.
Experience: 2+ years of experience executing successful major gift programs.
Skills and Capabilities
The ideal candidate will possess many of these professional and personal abilities and attributes:
• Ability to develop successful strategies and an actionable framework for major gifts.
• Track record of accountability and leadership in major gifts, working in concert with a team of development/communications professionals and volunteers.
• Experience collaborating with Development Committees and board members on major gifts.
• Knowledge of and experience with Raiser’s Edge and prospect research tools.
• Ability to build rapport with prospects, donors, volunteers, and the public with diplomacy, discretion, and customer-service orientation.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills.
• Respect for confidentiality and accuracy in handling donor information.
• Strong work ethic with the ability to work well in a team-oriented, goals-driven department.
Allowable Substitutions: A combination of education, experience, and/or training that provides the required knowledge and skills for the position may be considered in lieu of education and/or experience at the company’s discretion.

How to apply:
Email resume and cover letter to jobs@secondharvest.org
Type “Development Officer-Lake Charles” as the only content in the subject line of your email.