Want to lead one of the fastest growing philanthropy programs in the country? For one of the fastest growing and impactful environment organisations?

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented specialist in major gifts fundraising OR an environmentalist currently working in face to face fundraising or corporate sales who is wanting to make a big difference for nature. With 5 years plus of experience in philanthropy, fundraising or sales you will play a crucial role in the growth of a dynamic national environmental organisation tackling the leading cause of animal extinction — invasive species.

Position

• Reports to: Marketing and Development Director
• Basis: Full or part time.
• Location: Remote home or shared office. Applicants close to Sydney or Melbourne preferred. All locations in Australia considered.
• Duration: Permanent role

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate environmentalist to join Australia’s leading advocacy organisation tackling invasive species.

The Invasive Species Council is three years into a ten-year journey of growth as we aim to prevent more invasive species-led extinctions by 2030 in the midst of an extinction crisis. With 2 billion animal deaths every year due to cats alone, we need to build all areas of fundraising to support organisational growth so that our conservation team can stop the onslaught of invasive species.

ISC is looking for an experienced and driven fundraiser to join our team. We are equally open to someone with successful previous experience that offers transferable skills, i.e. corporate sales or face to face fundraising with a deep connection to and experience of the environment, or an environmental related degree.

You will work with the Marketing and Development Director to develop a growing philanthropy program for major donors, trusts and foundations, by applying your exceptional relationship, interpersonal and writing skills.

Engaging with existing or potential philanthropists or clients will come naturally to you. You enjoy chasing up leads and you can transform the smallest of encounters into an opportunity to protect biodiversity. You're confident with data and can easily make your way around a spreadsheet or CRM system and develop a pipeline, for both stewardship and acquisition and reporting. You have a knack for identifying a great pitch and matching it with a potential funder at the right time. You know how to turn up the excitement with integrity and authenticity.

You will work closely with the Director of Marketing and Development, CEO, Operations Manager, key members of the Board, and the Advocacy Director. The team will love your enthusiastic and flexible attitude and your maturity will allow you to happily work autonomously, complete multiple projects at once and contribute positively to our great team culture.

At a personal level you will have a good work ethic, be keen to learn, and have bucket loads of resilience, tenacity, confidence and compassion. You will also be comfortable collaborating and know how to set yourself and the organisation up for success, and are bold enough to do it.

Sound like you?

About us. The Invasive Species Council prides itself on providing a wonderful team culture and a flexible working environment with most staff working remotely. We gather twice a year as an organisation, take other opportunities to get togethers throughout the year as they come, and provide an office environment in Canberra and Melbourne a few days per week. We are rapidly growing but are small enough to stay nimble and support a close working environment, whilst being powerful enough to make a difference. We work to a high standard, professionally and personally. The team will support you to deliver a best practice program.

Key Functions

• Coordinate the Major Donor Philanthropy program, implementing the three-year philanthropy strategy for growth, operationalizing annual plans
• Manage a portfolio of donors, funds and trusts & foundations, from acquisition to solicitation to stewardship
• Planning for and analysing and reporting on the performance of the program
• The writing of fundraising and marketing communications, including pitch documents, appeals and/or grant applications.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and help to build the philanthropy program for Major Donors: Implement the philanthropy strategy (including opportunities to review and develop the strategy) to achieve growth targets and KPIs.
• Manage the small portfolio of funders and donors and manage the MD income pipeline ($5,000 plus portfolio)
• Solicit gifts directly and assist/advise the CEO, Advocacy Director and Marketing and Develop Director to solicit gifts applying the solicitation formula for success.
• Develop annual operational plans for acquisition and retention and contribute to the future development and refinement of the philanthropy strategy.
• Work with the Marketing and Development Director to design the integrated Major Donor Direct Marketing Program (digital and mail) with support from the Fundraising Manager to deliver it, including:
  • Adapting direct mail appeals and integrated e-appeals for MD audience;
  • Running the annual report donor care mailing and other donor care for MDs; and
  • Event invitations and follow up.
• Run events (F2F and virtual) including RSVPs, guest speakers with the support of marketing staff, with support from the fundraising team.
• IDesign and implement an exceptional journey for new MD or new MD prospects within the portfolio.
• Research, create and maintain donor profiles in database.
• Write and develop proposals and funding applications. Write grant applications and manage and coordinate content to meet reporting responsibilities.
• Manage the Trust and Foundations calendar.
• Reporting and analysis of MD program performance.

Performance Measures

• Successful delivery of major gifts and bequest programs identified in the philanthropy plan.
• The CEO and Director of Marketing and Development are well supported.
• KPIs (contact and income) met for individual donors and for specific grants/tied funds.
• Timely and accurate delivery of programs and tasks.
• CEO’s major donor efforts are well supported.

Key Selection Criteria

• A minimum of five years’ experience in fundraising
• Outstanding ability to identify the strongest case for support (pitch) for a campaign, grant application or individual.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering successful philanthropic, fundraising or corporate sales programs, with several years of growth in a row.
• Sound experience managing a portfolio of major donors or clients through their various stages
• Sound experience setting income targets and managing activities and a budget to meet them.
• Demonstrated ability to develop operational plans, pipelines, and creative briefs.
• Experience running small events to solicit funds/income and engage supporters/clients.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse and report on program performance and to identify alternative approaches to improve program performance, including accurate record keeping.
• Self-motivated, energetic, focused, team player willing to learn, solve problems and share their fundraising knowledge with the team.
• Excellent time management, task management and organisational skills.
• Intermediate skills at Microsoft Word (i.e. mail merge) and Excel programs (i.e. calculations, formulas and basic manipulation of the datasheet). These are essential skills.
• Previous work in the non-profit sector and enthusiasm for protecting our environment.

Desirable:

• Several years experience in environmental advocacy NGOs.
• A marketing or a relevant science degree.
• Experience coordinating successful direct mail and digital fundraising appeals.

Location: Any location considered. Preferred within an hour of Sydney or Melbourne. The Invasive Species Council supports decentralised working arrangements. We offer a friendly, flexible workplace with most staff now working from home.

Applications

Please submit a resume with at least two referees and a statement explaining how you meet each of the selection criteria via the "Apply Now" button. Applications that do not directly address each criterion will not be accepted.

ISC is an equal opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Contact Contact Marketing and Development Director, Amber Sprunt - [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Philanthropy Officer - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs or 0437 388 895 for specific questions about the role.