Director, Individual Giving, Major Gifts & Special Projects

Job Description

Job Description

Description

Overview
The Development Department at The New York Public Library raises funds from private sources to support the mission and vision of The New York Public Library. The team is made up of a dynamic group of development and events professionals who together represent expertise in all areas of fundraising, including individual, corporate, foundation and government grants, special events, membership, planned giving, and systems management. The Development Department raises over $26 million in Annual Fund and over $90 million overall each year. 

The Library is seeking a dynamic and experienced development professional to significantly increase revenue from individuals. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Individual Giving, Major Gifts & Special Projects leads the creation and implementation of a comprehensive strategy for building and sustaining a pipeline of major support for restricted priorities, primarily across the research libraries including the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Library, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Library for the Performing Arts.  In partnership with the CDO, the Director will work across departments, with Chiefs, Curators and Program Heads, to support ongoing work, as well as identify priorities and pursue new funding opportunities. 

This team will be focused on gifts of $100,000 and up, with an annual goal of $5 million.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

Own :

• Build and maintain a portfolio of prospects across a broad range of fundraising interests and priorities
• Work with curators across the research libraries to understand their priorities, and develop a plan for outreach and financial support.

Teach :

• Oversee and mentor the Individual Giving, Major Gifts & Special Projects team
• Highlight and share restricted priorities among Development Directors and other departments at the Library
• Educate and inspire donors and prospective supporters about The New York Public Library’s mission to ensure free and open access to information and ideas

Learn:

• Stay up to date with the fundraising priorities of the President and Chief Development Officer
• Understand the department’s operations relating to the Raiser’s Edge database and data entry, reporting, list management, and gift processing procedures

Improve :

• Cultivate donor relationships between key NYPL Senior Leaders and respective prospects and donors
• Develop new ways to engage prospective, lapsed, and new donors

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month , this person will:

• Understand all current major fundraising priorities and be introduced to relevant NYPL Senior Leadership that they might be working with

3 months , this person will:

• Have conducted significant outreach to donors identified as Major Gift prospects and will be taking meetings

6 months and beyond , this person will:

• Have closed 9 gifts relating to major gift priorities

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Individual Giving, Major Gifts & Special Projects executes short and long-term plans for the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of a pipeline of prospects and major donors to the Library’s restricted priorities. The Director will be part of a team of high performing frontline fundraisers to increase revenue.

• Oversee and grow Major Gifts & Special Projects which raises $5 million annually and is focused on gifts of $100,000 and above
• Implement a strategic and aggressive moves management program to upgrade support from current donors
• Develop and implement a plan for outreach to new prospective donors who may be interested in supporting the Library’s priority areas.
• Serve as a gift officer and personally manage a portfolio of high-level donors
• Prepare and execute asks, proposals and reports for targeted major gift priorities
• Steward major gift donors and prospects through through the Library’s unique engagement opportunities and events
• Manage and mentor the Major Gifts Officer and Manager for Individual Giving, Major Gifts & Special Projects 
• Fundraise for other Library priorities as identified by Senior Leadership

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education and Certifications 

• Bachelor's Degree required 

Required Experience

• 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience, preferably in cultural institutions
• A proven track record of achieving fundraising goals

Required Skills 

• Flexibility and patience with changing priorities and deadlines
• Excellent writing, editing, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to establish necessary rapport with high-level donors and trustees
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues both within the department and across the Library
• Demonstrated strategic thinking abilities
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical and computer skills
• Experience working with a relational database a necessity, preferably Raiser's Edge, as well as MS Office

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• Direct experience training and managing front line fundraisers

More...

Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems 
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Office Environment
• May require travel throughout NYC

Physical Duties

• Limited physical effort may be required
• May require travel throughout NYC

Pre-Placement Physical Required?

• No

Union/Non Union

• Non-Union

FLSA Status

• Exempt

Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; some nights/weekends as required

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).