Advancement Officer

Position Summary

The Advancement Officer is responsible for executing and implementing fundraising strategies that generate revenue for Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana as directed by the Market Director, following our Chapter-wide Advancement and Marketing plan.

Essential Job Functions

• Solicit, secure and steward donors to the organization in order to achieve leadership-level goals (individual, regional & chapter-wide) for revenue-advancement.
• Identify new revenue opportunities and advance relationships through a leadership-level portfolio of high-potential donors and prospects within regional territory.
• Track progress toward revenue goals and job-related expenses through proper use of the database (Salesforce) and chapter-specific forms and processes.
• Use discretion and independent judgement with broad authority and reasonable latitude to negotiate and/or make decisions [related to revenue development], which may financially impact the organization in substantial ways and depart from established standards.
• Support strategy and execution of Market related events
• Stewardship & Retention: Effectively stewards existing donors with regular value-added contact. Uses communication touchpoints as a tool to deepen relationships and increase future giving.
• Use of Portfolio & Tools: Uses OKI’s suite of fundraising tools effectively and consistently. Recognizes the importance of institutionalizing with OKI the stakeholder relationship. Makes smart and effective use of the Donor Operations Team and all resources. Follows OKI procedures and processes regarding fundraising.
• Follow-up: Does smart, effective follow-up after meetings. Communication to donors is clear, prompt, thorough, and forward focused.
• Lead Generation & Pursuit: Works diligently to uncover and pursue new leads. Leverages our current supporters to find new potential supporters. Remains determined in their pursuit and does not give up easily.
• Fundraising Skills: Exhibits strong overall fundraising skills and functions at a high level. This ranking is an overall measure of their core fundraising abilities.
• Relationship-Building: Builds and maintains relationships effectively both internally and externally.

Core Competencies

Culture Contributor: Makes a positive contribution to the departmental, regional, and organizational culture. Models our shared values. Controls their own 20 square feet. Is a collaborative teammate. Leads by positive example. Able to navigate ambiguity and helps others to do so as well.

Bandwidth/Focus: Adequately manages a large workload while focusing on the right things that make a difference. Does not focus too narrowly to the exclusion of other priorities. Really digs in and focuses when necessary. Bounces back quickly from a setback.

Personal Accountability: Willing to answer for the outcomes resulting from their choices, behaviors, and actions. Takes ownership of situations they are involved in and takes responsibility for what happens – good or bad. Doesn’t “blame, complain, or defend” if things go wrong, and works quickly to make things right. Recognizes the impact of their actions on team performance. Accepts criticism and feedback.

Strategic Thinking/Problem Solving: Develops thoughtful strategies to solve problems and/or achieve specific goals. These strategies take into account critical factors (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, trends, competition, and other). Communicates strategies effectively (written and verbal) while building consensus. Adapts strategies to changing conditions and monitors progress and evaluates results. Does not oversimplify situations that warrant thoughtful consideration.

Adaptability/Problem Solving: Adapts to change quickly and easily. Exhibits a “can do” attitude regarding change. Makes suggestions for increasing effectiveness of programs, routines, etc. Shows willingness to learn new methods, procedures, or techniques. Shifts strategy or approach in response to the demands of a situation. Helps others adapt to change. Proactively addresses problems they encounter, defining and analyzing problems appropriately, and thinking through the implications of possible solutions.

Judgement/Discernment: Uses common sense and probing questions to identify root cause. Does not simply react to matters but dives deep to understand an issue and create a resolution that makes sense. Understands how to prioritize daily workflow and creates focus on what’s important. Considers cost and efficiency when making decisions establishing or changing work procedures. Recognizes when to escalate situations to a higher level.

Planning & Organization: Prioritizes and plans work activities. Sets goals and objectives, including written plans as necessary. Plans for additional resources and integrates changes smoothly. Works in an organized manner and uses time efficiently. Balances strategy, planning, and execution e.g. avoids “paralysis of analysis.”

Work Quality/Detail Oriented: Demonstrates attention to detail and quality. Achieves low error rate in daily work. Completes work according to procedures and standards. Spends time on what’s important. Provides information on a timely basis and in a usable form to others who need to act on it. Written communications are clear, well-written, and compelling. Seeks feedback as needed. Can attend to a broader range of activities with-out being derailed.

Relationship Building/ Impact and Influence: Builds rapport up, down, and across the organization. Establishes collaborative relationships to achieve objectives. Actively looks for win-win solutions to difficult situations. Develops networks of professional contacts and leverages them for increased engagement with the mission.

Build Strong Teams: Builds trust at all levels of the organization through a balance of character, competence, and connectedness. Assumes best intentions by colleagues. Invests in, challenges, and actively coaches the team and helps develop the individual and full team potential. Communicates proactively, giving real-time and formal feedback. Actively listens and asks probing questions.

Drives Results: Balances vision with execution. Develops smart strategies, written plans, and adjusts accordingly. Keeps a sharp focus andic action-orientated themselves. Has a clear understanding of what needs to be accomplished and actively supports their team, including helping clarify, simplify, and prioritize.

Effective Budget Management: Actively helps set and manage to specific departmental, program, and initiative budget levels. Keeps a regular eye on spending, measuring it against our budget, and helps show the team how to be effective budget managers as well. Strives to find cost effective solutions to drive down costs and to contribute toward the long-term financial sustainability of the mission of Make-A-Wish.

Emotional Intelligence: Navigates people and situations effectively to achieve the best possible outcomes. Communicates effectively and clearly with others. Manages conflict productively. Responds proportionately. Has appropriate situational and strong self-awareness. Open to feedback, keeps things in perspective and strives for self-improvement.

Problem-Solver: Is a proactive vs. reactive problem-solver. Uses smart problem-solving techniques and collaborates with other teams and departments. Displays concentrated attention and doesn’t stop until the problem is solved.

Cultivates Innovation: Has the courage to embrace innovation and challenges the status quo. Willing to take meaningful risks and gives team permission to make mistakes to encourage growth. Freely praises and rewards displays of innovation by a member of their team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 3-5 years work experience, with 2 years or more proven experience in fundraising.
• Experience managing or supporting fundraising activities.
• Commitment to and a passion for the mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
• Flexibility to travel overnight up to 20% of the time.

Physical Demands

While performing this job, employees may be required to talk, stand or sit for long periods of time, walk, climb stairs, key data, stoop, twist, bend, crawl, speak and hear. Employees may drive a motor vehicle and may be required to travel during business hours. Person must also be able to move/lift up to 20 pounds. While performing this job employee is exposed to weather prevalent at the time with varying noise levels. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a person with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.