Arena Careers

Job Title: Major Gifts Manager

Program: Development

Employment Type: [ X ] Salary [ ] Hourly

[ ] Part-time [ X ] Full-time

[ ] Temporary [ ] Regular

Reports to: Deputy Development Director

Direct Reports to this position: Development Associate

Salary Range: $76,000 - $85,000

Location: Tucson Preferred, Open to Remote for the Right Candidate

Is this position in the Bargaining Unit? [ ] Yes [ X ] No

How to apply: Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is 7/20/2026. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

ABOUT THE CENTER
The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY
This position provides a unique opportunity for an energetic, experienced nonprofit professional with fundraising experience to join a successful development team in a supervisory role while advancing the Center for Biological Diversity’s mission to protect imperiled wildlife and wild places. The Major Gifts Manager in an integral role to the full scope of major gifts work at the Center for Biological Diversity. This position works closely with the Chief Development Officer and Deputy Development Director in their capacity as Major Gift Officers (MGOs) to develop and deliver high-quality, timely, authentic, and creative donor plans, experiences and communications to individuals capable of making a substantial impact on the Center’s work through their philanthropic support. The right applicant will be a strong communicator both verbally and in writing. They will be a highly motivated self-starter who thrives on connection with people passionate about protecting wildlife and wild places. This position will support every aspect of the major gifts program’s implementation including supporting the Chief Development Officer, Deputy Development Director, and Membership Director’s major gifts outreach efforts; overseeing the implementation of donor events, webinars; and creating meaningful stewardship communications and experiences for major donors that support MGO solicitations and increased donor giving. They will support and develop personalized donor stewardship and solicitation materials for individual major donors. They will optimize and maintain a well-organized library and tracking systems for these materials. The Major Gifts Manager will also be assigned their own portfolio of major donors and prospects to cultivate and steward. Part of the work of this position will be systematized and largely calendared, yet flexible to rapidly respond to frequent major news affecting our mission and to capture moments of opportunity for customized outreach to individual funders.

The Major Gifts Manager will report to the Deputy Development Director and will work closely and regularly with the Chief Development Officer. This position will manage one full-time Development Associate. The Major Gifts Manager will regularly communicate with members of the development program’s senior leaders, grant writers, larger development and membership team as well as conservation program staff, communications, digital, finance and IT teams as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Major Gifts Manager supports and organizes the cultivation, solicitation, and closing of five, six, seven-figure and higher major gifts from individual donors and foundations, as well as stewardship of same. They will focus on both existing as well as prospective donors. They serve a crucial role in the implementation of “moves management” across the major gifts program - moving donors through cultivation, solicitation and stewardship phases in relationship building. Their overall focus is on helping the MGOs to close major gifts and meet the Center’s goals for revenue growth from high five, six, seven-figure or higher donors. The Major Gifts Manager supports the major gifts team’s success both through their work supporting the chief development officer and deputy development director as well as through carrying out solicitation strategies for their own starter portfolio of major donors and major donor prospects. Assigned duties and responsibilities include:

• Developing, documenting, and tracking cultivation, stewardship and solicitation plans for individual major donors, legacy donors, family foundations, and prospective donors.
• Directly organizing and supporting MGO solicitation activities including donor meetings, experiences, proposals to help close major donor and grant gifts.
• Compiling, drafting, formatting, and distributing informational content that will inspire donors to give.
• Collaborating and strategizing with senior development leadership, grant writers, and the development operations team to cultivate and solicit funds from major donors, foundation funders and prospects before, during and after events, webinars and campaigns.
• Utilizing Center research tools as well as entrepreneurially sourcing information, conduct research and synthesize the Center’s wide-ranging conservation work into clear, brief, and compelling proposals, talking points and other solicitation and cultivation communications that inspire giving.
• Helping build enduring relationships with major donors by providing high-level stewardship support drafting and sending personalized communications and reports.
• Moving nimbly in response to breaking news to help follow up and secure funding from major donors and foundations for urgent campaigns.
• Conducting extensive donor research prospects already in our ecosystem as well as not, identifying those who can make a significant philanthropic impact on the Center’s revenue growth and preparing research dossiers to support the MGOs prospecting.
• Support the Chief Development Officer’s work with donors making planned gifts through research, scheduling individual meetings, sometimes attending and providing individualized stewardship support to close legacy gifts.
• Meeting with donors, as assigned, through phone, Zoom and face-to-face to cultivate and secure major gifts.
• Drafting and sending timely and thoughtful responses on behalf of leadership to donors’ questions, feedback and inquiries and demonstrating how donors’ philanthropic support for the Center makes an impact.
• Overseeing quality of Development Associates’ work preparing and composing nuanced communications for high-net-worth major donors and funders.
• Supporting the major gifts team with a wide array of initiatives and activities as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• 5 - 7+ years’ experience having direct and positive interactions with donors or clients.
• Ability to write short form communications (emails) with emotional intelligence, clarity, and accuracy.
• Ability to participate in drafting clear, detailed, persuasive reports or proposals of varying lengths.
• A positive, team player excited to support the success of senior leadership while also working independently towards their own success.
• Ability to be a receptive and open listener.
• Highly motivated, self-confident, accountable character, with solid work ethic as well as a strong drive to move projects forward quickly and follow through with staff regarding their completion.
• Strong relationship building skills and willingness to speak directly by phone or in person with donors and prospective supporters.
• Experience administrating, supporting, or directly engaging in fundraising approaches like moves management for major donors is preferred although not required for the right candidate.
• Analytical with an exceptional ability to pay attention to nuance and detail, great organizational skills, and ensure a high-level accuracy in completing complex tasks.
• Extensive experience with donor relationship management databases or similar.
• Experience with donor research and project management platforms.
• Strong affinity for the Center for Biological Diversity’s mission.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working with standard office equipment, such as a computer, printer, copier and scanner, as well as job-specific equipment, such as a remote check depositing scanner. Working remotely is supported, but the space must be conducive to keeping members and prospect information confidential, making calls and responding to emails in a timely fashion, and maintaining a productivity level equal to in-office hours. There are seasonal periods of increased workloads tied to Spring (April -May), fourth quarter (October – January) through year-end and ad hoc fundraising campaigns.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation. This is not a complete description of all workplace conditions, and conditions are subject to change per the Organization’s discretion.

Cognitive

Ability to process and analyze information: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently

Exchange accurate information: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently

Communicate and express oneself with others: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently

Interaction with other colleagues: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently

Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently

Physical

Reading (ingest data): [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently

Working on a computer: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently

Typing: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently

Writing by hand: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently

Sitting: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently

Walking: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Standing: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Hiking: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Climbing up or down stairs: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Bending: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Squatting: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Reaching overhead: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Repetitive motions: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently

Ability to drive: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Location Conditions

In person required (versus remote work): [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Travel required*: [ ] Rarely [X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Night or weekend work: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Work in outdoor conditions: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Other? _________________ [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

*Attendance at our remote annual all-staff retreat is encouraged. This could require travel and 4-5 days of time away from home each year.

BENEFITS (Subject to change—see Handbook for more details)
For regular staff working 30+ hours a week

• Fully paid medical premiums for staff, and greatly discounted for families.
• Fully paid dental and vision premiums for staff and their families.
• Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA’s.
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) provided for reimbursement of eligible wellness expenses.
• Center paid premiums for Short Term and Long-Term Disability provided for all staff.
• Center paid premiums for Basic Life Insurance for all staff.
• Discounted premiums for pet discount program.

For all regular staff

• 403(b) plan with employer match and increasing employer paid contributions.
• Generous time off policies, including 13 paid holidays per year and 5 “personal” days awarded each year.
• Vacation accrual starts at a rate of 15 days annually, but it may be higher commensurate with experience, and paid sick days accrue at a rate of 10 days per year.
• Center Paid Time Off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave and even pet caretaker leave.
• After 5 years of service, all employees receive a 12-week paid sabbatical.
• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

JEDAI STATEMENT

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires. We welcome and encourage anyone interested to apply to any of our open positions. Everyone, regardless of current work authorization, will be considered.

Exempt Classification: Exempt

Applicable Exemption: Professional

Reasoning behind this classification: High degree of discretion and work is predominantly intellectual in nature and varied in character. The output produced can’t be standardized in relation to a given period of time.