Director, Individual Giving-Bay Area

American Cancer Society; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Cancer Society is seeking a Senior Major Gifts Officer to lead a high-impact portfolio in the San Jose area. You will cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with donors capable of giving six to seven figures, aligning gifts with organizational priorities.

You’ll partner with teams to develop proposals, manage a healthy pipeline, and drive annual revenue goals of $750k+ while traveling for donor meetings. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Successful track record of securing six-, seven- and eight-figure gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Strong working knowledge of major gifts fundraising and donor engagement.
• Ability to build and cultivate relationships with diverse donors and volunteers.
• Ability to manage a complex portfolio and collaborate with internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes donor strategies to secure six-figure and above commitments.
• Builds and manages long-term relationships with a portfolio of high-impact donors.
• Serves as an ambassador translating impact into donor engagement and opportunities.
• Qualifies and advances donors through moves management and pipeline development.
• Collaborates across teams to connect donors with giving opportunities and leadership roles.
• Maintains accountability for portfolio performance and fundraising goals.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Donor relations

Portfolio management

Communication skills

Donor stewardship

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

At the American Cancer Society, we're working to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Our employees and 1.3 million volunteers are raising the bar every single day. We are a culture comprised of diverse backgrounds and experience, to better serve our communities.

The people who work at the American Cancer Society focus their diverse talents on our lifesaving mission. It is a calling. And the people who answer it are fulfilled.

Responsible for development and management of a major gifts portfolio within assigned territory developed through the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of effective relationships with volunteers, board members, corporate leaders, foundations, current and prospective donors. Through effective portfolio management, qualifies and secures funding from donors capable of giving $10k+ and assure donor retention upgrade strategies are successfully executed. Accountable for securing a minimum of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars in annual revenue.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develops and executes donor strategies to secure six-figure and above, multi-year philanthropic commitments aligned with organizational priorities and donor interests. Partners with appropriate teams to develop funding opportunities, proposals, and solicitations. 25%
• Builds and manages long-term relationships with a portfolio of high-impact donors and prospects through personalized cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship to drive retention and increased investment. 25%
• Serves as a knowledgeable and compelling ambassador for the organization’s mission and priorities, translating impact into meaningful donor engagement, presentations, proposals, and philanthropic opportunities. 20%
• Qualifies and advances donors through disciplined moves management, developing individualized strategies, maintaining a healthy pipeline, and engaging the appropriate account team to advance opportunities. 10%
• Collaborates across Development and organizational teams to deliver integrated donor strategies and connect donors with individual giving, campaign, event, C-suite, and volunteer leadership opportunities. 10%
• Maintains accountability for portfolio performance, including fundraising goals, pipeline progression, activity tracking, reporting, and participation in broader organizational priorities and initiatives. 10%

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor's Degree
• Preferred Degree: Choose an item.
• Years of experience: 5+ year proven track record of securing $100,000+ gifts or equivalent experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required, as is computer proficiency.
• Successful track record of securing 6, 7, and 8 figure gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Strong working knowledge of the major gifts area; sales management and campaign experience is highly desirables.
• Established ability to build and cultivate relationships with individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Ability to establish collegial, effective working relationships and partner with staff and volunteers. Strong financial acumen.
• Ability to drive lead generation for individual and corporate major giving opportunities.
• The ability to be an ambassador for the American Cancer Society.
• Ability to understand work within a complex organizational structure.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some overnight travel within the area and to region/enterprise donor meetings and events

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Expectation to be external in market, 3 days per week average
• No specific physical requirements

The starting rate is $120,000 to $135,000. The final candidate's relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

ACS provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer.