Position Title: Director, Individual Giving
Department: Development
Reports to: Managing Director, Development
FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt, Non-union
Grade: 5
Position Description:
The director, Individual Giving is responsible for shaping and executing the overall strategy for Individual Giving at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG), deepening the Garden’s relationships with individuals and family foundations. This hands-on leadership role combines strategic vision with significant frontline fundraising and behind-the-scenes execution. The role oversees special events and will play a key role in an upcoming capital campaign.
The director is a credible and compelling advocate for BBG’s work and mission, and a warm and welcoming host for BBG’s friends and supporters. The director personally manages a large and important portfolio of major donors and prospects, while managing and mentoring a medium-sized fundraising team and partnering closely with colleagues across the institution.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Oversight
Ensure the smooth operation and continued growth of BBG’s Individual Giving program and sub programs: Major Gifts, President’s Circle, Planned Giving, and Special Events. Develop and execute a data-informed plan to grow Individual Giving at BBG, including new strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit new donors and steward both new and existing supporters.Oversee a special events team member responsible for annual $1M+ Spring Gala and a comprehensive calendar of delightful donor-engagement experiences. Collaborate with leaders of other fundraising verticals (Membership, Institutional Giving) to ensure a coherent and fluid pipeline across BBG’s fundraising efforts. Prepare and present compelling reports and analyses that highlight program opportunities and potential for growth.Maintain current and accurate fundraising projections in Raiser’s Edge.Manage income and expense budgets proactively and efficiently.
Team Leadership
Manage, mentor, and support a medium-sized team of frontline fundraisers, remaining closely involved in their development and work outputs.Set clear expectations, review work for quality and tone, identify professional development opportunities, and provide ongoing coaching.Coach all team members toward exceeding each program’s annual fundraising goals.Ensure prompt and accurate recordkeeping in donor database (Raiser’s Edge NXT) and other systems as needed.Model and teach fundraising best practices.Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and genuine passion for BBG’s mission and programs.
Portfolio Management
Manage BBG’s relationship with a dynamic and consequential portfolio of around 100 major donors and prospects, currently giving more than $2.5 million annually, cultivating them toward increased outright and/or planned gifts to BBG.Develop and adapt proposal and reporting collateral as needed to support major gift solicitations and stewardship needs.Work closely with trustees and leadership team to proactively acquire new donors. Assign/reassign donors and prospects to gift-officer portfolios as needed to deepen relationships and optimize fundraiser productivity.Ensure proper donor acknowledgement and recognition in all venues and ensure maintenance of up-to-date and accurate records and reporting.
Thought Partnership
Support the chief development officer and president in sustaining and deepening leadership relationships with all donor constituencies, including trustees and certain trustee committees. Contribute to planning and execution of a future capital campaign.Support and recommend efforts to modernize the department, including creating new policies and procedures for the team.Lead cross-team projects in support of development outcomes.Collaborate with other departments on development of proposals and long-term gift opportunities. Manage the creation and production of fundraising/outreach materials, including (but not limited to) letters, emails, and proposals.Maintain a high level of awareness of and monitor U.S. fundraising trends and best practices.
Qualifications:
A minimum of 7 years’ demonstrated fundraising experience and success in frontline solicitationClear writing and verbal communication skills a must, along with a high degree of comfort in reporting and analysisExperience managing team of direct reports and mentoring early- and mid-career fundraising professionalsExperience with annual giving programs and major gift solicitation; previous campaign experienceData-oriented and fluent in development CRMs, Excel, and PowerPointThe ability to develop systems to support effective moves management and track donor engagementExperience developing fundraising materials such as proposals and reportsA demonstrated collaborative, flexible, and well-suited work style to excel in a collegial environment at all levels, both internally and externally
Compensation and Benefits:
Salary Range – $120,000 - $140,000
Brooklyn Botanic Garden considers several factors when determining the appropriate salary to offer a candidate within the listed salary range. These factors include (but are not limited to), the scope and responsibilities of the position, a candidate’s relevant work experience and education/training, prior union/ DC37 experience (for union positions), job skills, and equity across the institution, as well as market and organizational considerations.
BBG offers a comprehensive benefits package including:Health Insurance that begins the date of hire; employees are offered coverage through the City of New York’s Office of Labor Relations and can choose from a variety of plans, some at no cost to the employee.Dental/Vision/Prescription BenefitsPre-Tax Benefits including flexible spending, dependent care, transit/parking accountsCIRS Pension/401K/Life Insurance: BBG is a member of the Cultural Institutions Retirement System (CIRS) and offers a pension and 401K plan for eligible employees. Life insurance is provided through CIRS as well.Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability InsuranceGenerous Paid Time Off including sick time, vacation time, and 13 annual holidaysAs a 501(c)3, BBG is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer.Museum Pass, which provides employees the opportunity to enter many museums in New York City for freeFree Garden admission for employee plus one guestEmployee discount at BBG’s retail and food venues
To be considered for this position, please submit an application by clicking Apply below. Applications submitted without a résumé and cover letter will not be considered.
No telephone calls for position inquiries, please. Applicants with disabilities who need assistance with the online system, or who may require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, should contact Human Resources at hr@bbg.org.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity employer.
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