Major Gifts Officer

POSITION TITLE: Major Gifts Officer

REPORTS TO: Director of Development or Senior Director of Philanthropic Engagement

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None

LOCATION: Chicago, IL

Grade/Class: Grade G, Exempt, PSA-Eligible

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Major Gift Officer serves as a frontline fundraiser within a region or division. They will maximize the donor engagement process to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual and institutional prospects/donors capable of making gifts between $50,000 and $500,000 in support of ADL’s highest priorities. While Major Gift Officers may be assigned to a specific geographic area, they may also take on individual prospects/donors throughout the division. This role requires significant travel of up to 20%.

Responsibilities

Primary:

• Develop and implement identification, qualification, and cultivation strategies for a portfolio of individuals with the capacity to make major gifts (between $50,000 and $500,000), nurturing relationships through personalized communications, meetings, and engagement opportunities in accordance with ADL’s policies, procedures, and funding priorities.
• Lead the solicitation process for major gifts, including developing tailored solicitation proposals, presentations, and funding opportunities aligned with donor interests and ADL priorities.
• Maintain an active, current body of knowledge of ADL and its mission, programs, activities, institutional needs, and fundraising priorities.
• Work with prospect research team to identify new major gift prospects and understand their philanthropic interests, capacity to give, and inclination to give to ADL.
• Negotiate gift agreements and terms with donors, in collaboration with the Philanthropic Services team.
• Actively participate in Development team meetings to coordinate prospect review and discuss specific prospect strategies as they relate to prioritized fundraising needs.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in the CRM database, documenting all interactions, proposals, and gift agreements related to major gifts in accordance with CSC policies and procedures.
• Collaborate and partner effectively across the organization to build and sustain the culture of philanthropy across ADL.
• Serve as an effective and enthusiastic ADL spokesperson and representative.

Qualifications

Skills:

• Outstanding strategic thinking and analytical skills, interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and experience handling highly confidential information.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with a diverse group of stakeholders including high net worth individuals, colleagues, and senior executives.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with superior attention to detail and strong storytelling skills.
• Display a positive attitude and show good judgment, common sense, and excellent listening skills; committed to transparency, accountability, and direct communication.
• Ability to anticipate and be responsive to multiple stakeholders' needs simultaneously, internally, and externally, including individual donors and prospects.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to see projects through to completion while meeting tight deadlines.
• Prior experience working with fundraising databases (Salesforce), MS Office applications and online collaboration tools.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team in meeting goals.
• Ability to successfully navigate and thrive in a complex organization.
• Committed to advancing the mission and goals of the ADL.

Work Experience:

• Significant fundraising experience including a demonstrated record of soliciting and closing five-figure and six-figure gifts, including multi-year commitments.
• Experience in a national organization with an affiliate or chapter structure a plus

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required.

Work Environment:

• Flexibility to work evening and weekends required.
• Ability and willingness to travel (as much as 20%).
• ADL is a hybrid environment; this role may require 3 days in the office.

Compensation:

• This position has a salary range of $95,000 to $108,000. This salary range is reflective of a position based in Chicago, IL. Please note that actual salaries are commensurate with experience and reflect the budget for a given position, and since ADL has a location-based compensation structure, there may be a different range for candidates in other locations. For an overview of our total rewards package, please visit https://www.adl.org/about/careers.

ADL values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of underrepresented ethnic groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. ADL is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, promotions and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment shall be maintained in a manner which does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or military status, or in violation of any applicable Federal, state or local laws.

ADL will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation to support the interview process, please contact People & Culture at talentacquisition@adl.org.

ADL will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable State, Local, and Federal laws.

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job, nor is it to be interpreted as a contract for employment.