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Mission:

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Summary:

Consider joining our dynamic development team as Senior Director of Major Giving and be a crucial senior leader. This is an opportunity to leverage your expertise in fundraising to mobilize resources that fuel groundbreaking research and drive meaningful change. We are seeking a highly motivated and successful fundraising executive and expert in the field of Major and Principal Giving looking to make a significant impact in combating climate change. Woodwell Climate is in an exciting growth phase. This role is critical to help move our mission forward as we face the urgent demands of the climate crisis and opportunities to maximize our impact. The fundraising department is currently planning a comprehensive capital campaign.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

  • Manage new prospective high-net-worth donors with a track record of success of closing major gifts from new donors
  • Collaborate closely with Chief Philanthropy Officer, President/CEO, scientists, peers and others within the organization
  • Grow the major gifts prospect pipeline as we move into a comprehensive capital campaign
  • Share a deep, authentic, and committed passion for Woodwell Climate’s mission and the ability to articulate its unique role in fostering natural climate solutions and its relevance to donors.
  • Identify and cultivate a demographically diverse portfolio of high net worth donors, with demonstrated success in solicitation and closure of new donations
  • Solicit and close 6-figure to 7-figure gifts, including multi-year commitments
  • Travel both domestically and internationally to summits, conferences and attend fundraising events with C-level executives
  • As positive growth of the program dictates, recruit, hire and mentor additional major gifts officers

Must have the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Strategic expertise in developing Donor Strategies
  • Ability to manage a portfolio of 75-125 prospects, depending on the capacity
  • Total fundraising with frontline fundraising experience coupled with substantial track record of soliciting and closing multi-year commitments
  • Proven experience with soliciting, stewarding, and closing major gifts independently as well as partnering with executive leadership and others in the soliciting and stewarding efforts of those portfolios
  • Proven experience with identifying and successfully managing new prospective high-net-worth donors with a track record of success of closing major gifts from new donors.
  • Possess both leadership and individual contributor skills
  • Major Gift solicitation directly supporting a Climate Change mission, and organizations that are growing and scaling preferred
  • Ability to prioritize and manage several projects efficiently
  • Solid analytical, strategic, problem solving and time management skills
  • Experience and/or background in fundraising within a scientific research-focused organization preferred
  • Tech savvy, proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Workstation, Constant Contact, databases
  • Presentation skills using PowerPoint and or Slides
  • Working knowledge of fundraising databases (Raiser's Edge preferred)
  • Ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally up to 30%
  • Report to Chief Philanthropy Officer


Qualifications:
  • 7+ years of frontline fundraising experience
  • 10+ years of relevant professional experience
  • Bachelor's degree

Application review will begin ongoing

Desired Start Date: November 2024

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary range starting at $150,000 + dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.

Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts or Hybrid or Remote.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position, curriculum vitae to our career’s portal.

Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 100+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.

Woodwell is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Woodwell

WE NEED ALL VOICES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) understands that the climate crisis—from causes to consequences—is inextricably linked with persistent social injustice. Effectively addressing either requires addressing both. The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the knowledge, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster, and those who have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted must be heard.

The work Woodwell does—the questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward—is stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.

Woodwell acknowledges that our organization, and the scientific community more broadly, have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We approach the work of improving our organization with the same ambition and commitment to systemic change that we bring to addressing climate change.

We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work. We understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment from each and every one of us. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture within our organization, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science.