Senior Officer, Major Giving

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization that was established in 193

• With a mission to help people affected by conflict and disaster, the IRC operates in over 40 countries and has a workforce of more than 15,000 employees. The organization focuses on providing essential services to approximately 18 million people worldwide, including health care, education, and economic support, particularly in regions impacted by war and natural disasters. The IRC is committed to promoting human rights, gender equality, and social justice, and works tirelessly to ensure that vulnerable populations receive the assistance they need to rebuild their lives.

Job Overview:
The Senior Officer for Major Giving will play a crucial role within the External Relations (ER) department, specifically in the Philanthropy unit. This position is designed for an experienced fundraiser who will focus on engaging high-net-worth individuals in the Eastern United States. The primary goal is to deepen private individual support for the IRC by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding significant multi-year commitments from donors capable of contributing $100,000 or more. The Senior Officer will manage a portfolio of up to 100 major gift donors, guiding each relationship through the donor lifecycle, from qualification to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. This role requires a dynamic front-line fundraiser who excels in relationship building and strategic prospecting, as well as the ability to craft and implement effective donor engagement strategies. The Senior Officer will collaborate closely with the team’s Director and other IRC leaders to secure proposals and develop donor engagement communications, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and mission.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Officer will be responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, ensuring that each relationship is nurtured through effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship practices. Key responsibilities include leading proactive prospect discovery efforts, developing creative engagement strategies in partnership with the Director of Major Giving, and securing five- and six-figure gifts through direct fundraising activities. The Senior Officer will also be tasked with creating and managing briefing materials, meeting strategies, and solicitation plans for face-to-face interactions with donors. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with Account Managers to track progress and measure results, adapting strategies as needed to respond to shifting organizational priorities. The Senior Officer may also undertake special projects as requested, contributing to the overall success of the Major Giving team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 5 years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated expertise in private sector or major gifts fundraising. A consistent track record of successfully closing multiple five- and six-figure gifts is essential, along with experience in qualifying prospects and upgrading donor relationships. The ideal candidate will have outstanding communication and presentation skills, the ability to develop nuanced donor strategies, and a strong commitment to fundraising for international development and humanitarian causes. Additionally, candidates should be adaptable to change in a fast-paced work environment and possess the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.

Educational Background:
A bachelor’s degree is required for this position, with a preference for candidates who have pursued further education or specialized training in fundraising, nonprofit management, or a related field. Advanced degrees or certifications in relevant areas may be considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, particularly in major gifts or private sector fundraising. Candidates should have a proven ability to manage a dynamic portfolio of donors and a history of successfully soliciting and securing significant contributions.

Languages:
While English is the mandatory language for this position, proficiency in additional languages may be considered a plus, particularly for candidates who will be engaging with diverse donor bases or international stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This role is part-time remote, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The compensation for this position ranges from $93,000 to $110,000, depending on various factors such as the labor market, job type, and individual candidate experience. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Benefits for US-based employees include paid time off, sick days, medical and dental insurance, a retirement savings plan, and an Employee Assistance Program.