Director, Major Gifts

The fact that 1 in 4 people in the world today don’t have clean water is unacceptable, and we need you to help change that.

We’re the #1 international non-profit exclusively focused on bringing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education (WASH) to the children and families who need it most. These people are the 2.2 billion reasons we do what we do. Our global WASH programs, led and maintained by the communities where we work, aren’t a quick fix. We strive for long-term access to WASH that truly transforms people’s lives."

To support our global mission and programs WaterAid America is looking for an experienced fundraising professional to serve as Director, Major Gifts.  A preferred candidate for this role will be based in the New York City area but we welcome qualified candidates from across the United States.

The Director creates impact by building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with private donors. The Director will ensure that WaterAid America engages with our target group of high-net worth individuals (‘HNWIs’) by pro-actively leveraging financial and non-financial resources, building strategic alliances in line with our brand, and developing relationships that add value to WaterAid’s mission and strategy. 

The successful candidate should be a highly motivated, energetic, and experienced fundraising professional who can demonstrate his/her/their passion for our mission with strong influencing, communication, and interpersonal skills. The role is also expected to champion WaterAid's values (respect, collaboration, accountability, innovation, courage, and integrity) to enable a ‘One WaterAid’ approach that draws on skills, expertise and insight from across our global Federation. 

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director is responsible for ensuring that the goals and aims of WaterAid America’s philanthropy strategy are met, specifically in terms of income raised, one-to-one engagement opportunities created and the positioning of WaterAid America as a global partner of choice for philanthropists and strategic investors. In this context, the Director will manage WaterAid America’s relationships with an assigned group of prospects and donors based in the United States.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Identify, develop, and secure mutually beneficial relationships with HNWIs capable of giving sizable gifts (ideally six and seven-figure) in support of the priorities identified for the major donor program.
• Maintain and contribute to the case for support for HNWIs, including the ongoing development of tailored materials for external presentations to potential donors and their networks. This also includes shaping bespoke proposals and reports in close cooperation with fundraising colleagues and other internal stakeholders.
• Undertake prospect research to identify and develop a professional approach to our target group of HNWIs with whom we can partner to leverage results in the WASH sector.
• Build close working relationships with country programs when engaging and partnering with HNWIs, including ensuring adherence to WaterAid’s global strategies and policies.
• Play a key role in global campaigns and appeals, working closely with colleagues to maximize the synergies arising.
• Document and share major donor knowledge (good practice, lessons learnt, tools and materials on fundraising techniques, etc.) with fundraising colleagues, member associations and regions.
• Ensure approaches to HNWI prospects and donors are recorded in the WaterAid America fundraising database/CRM, including clear outcomes and next steps.
• Contribute to the overall development of the broader fundraising team and its activities.

Skills and experience

Essential skills and qualifications

• Undergraduate degree
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience in a not-for-profit organization or in an account management/client-facing role within the corporate sector
• Sound judgment, a strategic outlook, a broad view, drive, enthusiasm, and a passion for fundraising/marketing.
• Strong customer-orientation and proven track record of building and managing meaningful relationships with HNWI / major philanthropists.
• Proven ability to translate strategy to annual and operational goals; bold approach to setting short- and long-term objectives that achieve organizational goals and deliver results.
• Proven competence and expertise in creating, leading, and facilitating dynamic networks.
• Proven leadership and people skills where you’ve been able to influence and inspire others in a large, multicultural, decentralized organization.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, and as well as the ability to translate and distil strategic or programmatic information to new audiences; confidence and ability to present to board and senior level external contacts, and to network and represent WaterAid.
• Inclusive mindset and excellent interpersonal skills, a proven ability to listen and engage with authenticity.
• Collaborative working style to create innovative and strategic propositions and work positively in a team environment, towards shared goals.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel) as well as a CRM (Salesforce); comfortable with understanding and analyzing budget and project reporting information.
• Commitment to model and champion WaterAid’s values: respect, collaboration, accountability, innovation, courage, and integrity.
• Flexibility to work across time zones (with varied work hours) and maturity to achieve and maintain work/ life balance.

Desired skills and qualifications

• A recognized fundraising qualification (e.g. CFRE)
• Experience fundraising for an international organization.
• Proficient with Salesforce CRM

WaterAid America's US workforce is currently 65% remote and 35% hybrid, with a physical office in New York, NY. 

For all candidates, any offer of employment will be commensurate with market rate criteria of your specific years experience, skillset qualifications, and geographic location. Salaries and benefits for different countries will vary in line with the location of the successful candidate and depending on experience.

For US-based candidates outside of major metropolitan areas, such as New York, NY or Washington, DC, the minimum salary for this position is $110,0000 USD. For US-based candidates inside major metropolitan areas, such as New York, NY or Washington, DC, the minimum salary for this position is $126,500 USD. 

Equal Opportunity Employer  

We celebrate, support, and thrive on diversity and difference for the benefit of our employees, our mission, and the communities we serve.  WaterAid is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.  We value diverse experiences and will also consider qualified applications from those who have had prior contact with the criminal legal system in accordance with the NYC Commission on Human Rights’ Guidance on the Fair Chance Act. 

WaterAid is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of all individuals, including the people in communities in which we work, staff, volunteers, contractors, and partners. Any form of abuse is not tolerated. 

Apply:  

Please submit your CV and cover letter no later than August 30th, 2024.  Only candidates shortlisted for interviewing will be contacted within two weeks. 

Employment & Benefits 

WaterAid offers a generous vacation and benefits package available to its full-time employees:  

• Health (medical) insurance (WAA offers several options, ranging from 70-100% employer-paid for you and your dependents), dental & vision insurance (100% employer-paid for you and your dependents), and pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for childcare, medical and commuter expense  
• Participation in WaterAid’s 403(b) deferred contribution plan (with personal contributions matched after 1 year of service, up to 5% of gross annual salary).  
• Paid time off (PTO) including: 13 public holidays + a ‘floating’ holiday to be used at your discretion; 120 hours of PTO upon hire (with new and increased hours awarded annually), 3 paid days for volunteering, and additional PTO available for "Summer Fridays" and office closures, such as between the Christmas and New Year's holidays. 
• Employee Assistance Program including Health Advocate, OneMedical, TalkSpace, and other services  
• Professional development investment