The Development organization advances the mission of Young Life by raising philanthropic support from alumni, parents, friends, foundations, and Gospel Patrons from around the globe. Working in concert with staff and volunteers, the Development organization members strive to accelerate Young Life’s mission around the world. Young Life is committed to a relational and donor-centric approach. Every member of the department plays a role in providing our donor base the service and attention that ensures an exceptionally positive and fulfilling donor experience.

Gift work requires understanding as to what the mission’s strategic priorities, emerging initiatives prioritized through the KNOWN campaign, as well as the goals of the strategic action teams process for both the U.S. and International goals. Consultation, coordination and collaboration within the Development organization, with the field, as well as other functional roles is essential.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

Work closely with the Chief Development Officer on strategy for a multi-billion-dollar campaign
Team player within the Development organization who helps to share a collaborative culture
Create and support processes that enhance engagement within the Development organization, across functions, and among field and function
Partner with senior leadership and Development leaders to develop fundraising plans for key priorities from conception through active fundraising
Work collaboratively and strategically to build the pipeline of principal gift level donors
Collaborate with the other frontline directors on creating and implementing strategies for the frontline fundraising program that drive significant growth, broaden the donor-base, and meet campaign goals
External focus on environment as it shapes giving in the US and abroad

Management

Lead the principal gifts program and potentially manage a team of major gift officers
Provide strategy, direction, support, motivation, and coordination to major gift officers
Develop a strong pipeline of potential Principal Gift Officers
Report progress against strategic goals, including donor engagement and stewardship touchpoints, revenue targets, and pipeline development details

Fundraising

Manage a portfolio of approximately 30 individual donors and prospects, primarily donors/prospects capable of making seven- and eight-figure gifts.
Secure gift and pledges of greater than $5 million with a three-year goal of $20 million.
Coach and support others in the organization, including the CEO, in gift solicitations
Meet with donors, provide stewardship, and convene donor meetings
Arrange for principal donors and those with a large sphere of influence to interact with the Young Life President, CDO, Group Senior Vice Presidents, and well as Senior Vice Presidents and Regional Directors when appropriate.
Take qualified donors/prospects on trips around the mission to see different aspects of the mission that would inform them about specific projects and encourage them to give at major donor levels.
Represent Young Life in various settings, including speaking engagements directly related to major gift development and ways to promote the work of Young Life across the globe.
Work with gift planning staff and the YL Foundation to secure asset-based gifts, set up donor-advised funds, stock gifts, wills, and planned gifts to create a sustainable endowment strategy.

Other

Participate in Board of Trustee meetings and interactions as needed.
Attend and participate in job related training programs as assigned.
Seek certification or additional skill building to support performance asking for complex asset-based gifts, securing testamentary commitments, and competence in planned giving arrangements.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

15+ years of progressively successful fundraising experience with 5+ years management experience preferred.
Personal record of successful principal gifts (seven- and eight-figure) gift solicitations and successful closes.
Comprehensive capital campaign/principal gifts experience desirable.
Experience building and sustaining relationships among high-net-worth donors and prospects desirable.
Success supporting and managing mission leadership in donor cultivation and solicitation
Superior interpersonal, management, and written and verbal communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to articulate a compelling case for philanthropic support of programs within Young Life.
Ability to prioritize diverse tasks, function in a complex environment, and earn the confidence of a wide range of internal and external constituents
Strong ability to work proactively, establish priorities, set objectives, and achieve stated goals
Flexibility amidst the changing needs of the organization; demonstrated motivational and pragmatic consensus-building skills
Leadership Competencies and Personal Traits
An engaged and energetic fundraiser, who relishes the cultivating, soliciting, and stewardship of donors
A person who can recognize and seize opportunities to advance an organization to a level it hasn’t reached before
A dynamic, “doer” leader with the ability to stimulate, invigorate, and motivate individuals around a purpose
An executive who can develop and articulate the strategic plan for reaching goals, and manage a staff in achieving measurable results
A team player within the Office of Development who has collaborative instincts, an inclination to integrate efforts, and a tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty in a highly complex environment
A person with the presence and extraordinary interpersonal skills to build relationships at all levels around a passion for Young Life’s mission
A culture shaper within and outside the organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree and/or master’s degree Preferred
15 years of relevant development experience.
CFRE desirable
Additional coursework through the Fundraising School, AFP, Robert Sharp, or CASE desirable.

Additional Job Description Information

May require working flexible hours, including nights and weekends. Regular travel required.
Ability to navigate and utilize all Salesforce/YL Connect platforms to track all work with all donors.
The anticipated salary for this position can range from $123,836-$171,495.50 annually, depending on relevant education and experience.

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Principal Gift Officer