Director of Philanthropy

The Position

The Mystic Aquarium, a subsidiary of the Sea Research Foundation, is seeking a Director of Philanthropy who will work collaboratively with the Vice President of Development to help design and implement fundraising strategies and identify, cultivate, close, and steward new and existing donors for the organization while enhancing internal systems and processes to support growth.

Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Director of Philanthropy will be a strategist and have exceptionally strong communication skills, is well-organized, and is a focused individual with related, hands-on experience and demonstrated success in non-profit fundraising. Related experience should include individual giving programs, volunteer and donor management, planned giving, and event management. The ideal candidate is energetic, strategic, and a team player who is passionate about our mission.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Vice President of Development to establish a comprehensive, strategic fundraising plan, including recommendations for implementing new systems, procedures, and best practices;
• Coordinate and manage various fundraising and stewardship campaigns throughout the year, including but not limited to mailings and emails;
• Develop and maintain donor relationships by ensuring that all donors are promptly acknowledged, stewarded, and provided opportunities to experience the impact of their gift;
• Manage a portfolio of 100+ individual, grant, and corporate donors and prospects;
• Secure 10-15 meetings per month for cultivation or solicitation;
• Support the Vice President and CEO in development activities including identification, research, and follow-up with donors and prospects;
• Consistently work to develop and have meaningful contact with potential donors in the community;
• Collaborate with Aquarium leadership and staff to identify and cultivate individuals who have the capacity to give to the organization;
• Contribute daily to the overall success of the organization by maintaining a positive team-oriented attitude;
• Work in collaboration with the Development and Special Events Coordinator to oversee Aquarium events and programs as assigned including the annual gala, golf tournament, and Board of Trustees meetings; and
• Manage budget reporting for the Development department.

Experience & Qualifications

• BA or BS degree required
• Seven+ years of fundraising experience
• Proven success in identifying, engaging, soliciting, and stewarding major donors
• Track record of achieving fundraising goals
• Experience in partnering with internal leadership on donor engagement, grant applications, and fund development activities
• Must be a highly motivated self-starter who can work independently with minimum direction, while driving deadlines with internal and external colleagues to maximize the effectiveness of projects and programs
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, flexible and collaborative, with an ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Excellent written and oral communication and proofreading skills and an ability to communicate effectively and persuasively to articulate the mission of Mystic Aquarium
• Proficiency in donor database CRMs, Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint
• Has the ability to work flexible work hours including evenings and weekends when needed

Please send resume, cover letter, or referrals to Lisa Vuona, Managing Partner, lvuona@boyden.com
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