Relationship Manager

Job Title: Relationship Manager
Department / Classification: Development / Full-Time / Exempt / Non Union
Reports To: Director of Development
Supervises: None

Job Summary:
The Relationship Manager—an energetic accelerator of major gifts—is responsible for advancing the organization’s financial and relational goals through personalized strategies and targeted solicitations, focusing on successfully closing five and six figure gifts. This frontline fundraiser is responsible for advancing best practices in moves management and delivering ongoing, customized reports on the impact of donors’ investments. The Relationship Manager is an engaged team member, collaborating within the Development and Marketing departments on strategies, events, and activities. Working closely with donors, this position will take the lead among a team of experienced professionals to raise significant gifts, driving organizational growth and building affinity towards our mission.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Proactively serve as lead in qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting a portfolio of 75-125 prospective and current donors with capacity for making gifts at the $10,000 level.
• Develop and implement a targeted and self-directed cultivation strategy for the assigned portfolio with specific responsibility to solidify relationships and engage high-impact donors in order to maximize giving potential for long-term support.
• Efficiently schedule, prepare for, and facilitate donor meetings, targeting at least 15-30 contacts per month (phone calls, emails, personal notes, and visits).
• Research and qualify prospective and current donors, identifying interests, financial capacity, access, and giving history in order to craft the best solicitation approaches.
• Practice best-in-class, personalized stewardship and implement plans to cultivate, retain and maximize giving for donor portfolio.
• Provide complete and accurate data entry in Raisers Edge/NXT, maintaining prospect research notes, up-to-date contact information, engagement and visit reports (actions), personalized solicitation plans (opportunities) and all other relevant details.
• Support capital campaign activity and solicitation, in partnership with the Campaign Manager, Director of Development, and CEO.
• Partner with Development and Marketing teams to create donor engagement materials, slide decks, cases for support, and proposals.
• Work with the CEO, Director of Development and Campaign Manager to ensure a seamless and personalized donor experience across all engagement efforts.
• Represent the organization at community events, networking functions, and engagement opportunities as assigned, effectively articulating its mission, programs, and funding needs.
• Particpate in fundraising strategies and initiatives, and the implementation of events, as a supportive member of the Development team.
• Develop and nurture positive, collaborative working relationships with colleagues, board members, and volunteers.
• Keep informed and up-to-date about the shelter’s program work.
• Handle animals in the shelter’s care as required.
• Contribute to team efforts by accomplishing other tasks and special projects as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty well. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Proven track record of successfully closing major gifts and achievement of building effective, long-term relationships with new and prospective donors.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or three years of non-profit fundraising experience.
• Prior experience in capital campaigns would be an advantage.
• Ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds, training, and experience.
• High attention to detail and the ability to audit work for accuracy and quality.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Superb listening and critical-thinking skills, with attention to detail.
• Finalist applicants must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment background check.

While previous non-profit fundraising experience is strongly preferred, the Humane Society encourages exceptional candidates from a broad variety of backgrounds to apply, including recent graduates and those seeking a transition from the private sector, including individuals with sales experience.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience working with donors on blended and/or legacy gifts.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising principles.
• Passion for animal welfare and creating a better future for pets and their people.
• Posses an entrepreneurial spirit, crafts creative solutions and opens doors to new donor relationships.
• Ability to work independently with proven adeptness at collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to develop and advance relationships with a diverse community of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (especially Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• CRM database and communication systems experience, preferably with Raisers Edge/NXT, FreeWill, Monday, Word Press and/or Constant Contact.