Development Officer, Annual Giving

Job Posting Organization:
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is a prominent global conservation organization that was established in 196

• With a mission to help people and nature thrive, WWF operates in over 100 countries worldwide. The organization partners with communities, companies, and governments to protect wildlife, conserve vital habitats, and promote sustainable solutions. Grounded in scientific research and driven by collaboration, WWF aims to conserve biodiversity, support resilient communities, and address the pressing issue of climate change. Currently, WWF has nearly 1 million members in the United States and more than 5 million members globally, showcasing its extensive reach and commitment to environmental conservation.

Job Overview:
The Development Officer, Annual Giving at WWF plays a crucial role in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding high-value annual giving donors and prospects. This position involves managing a portfolio of donors and prospects, specifically focusing on Leadership Partners who contribute between $10,000 to $25,000 and Partners in Conservation who contribute between $1,000 to $10,00

• The Development Officer is responsible for significantly increasing annual support from these donors. The role requires working towards achieving WWF's fundraising objectives for the Annual Giving team, aligning with the priorities and goals set by the Development department. The Development Officer will develop and implement strategies for donor cultivation and stewardship, monitor performance against established objectives, and execute a work plan that aligns with both team and individual goals. This position emphasizes high-touch personal contact with donors to deepen their engagement with WWF, ultimately leading to increased unrestricted annual support. Additionally, the Development Officer will identify potential major gift prospects for further qualification by individual giving staff, prepare relevant materials for development staff, and research annual giving prospects to develop effective cultivation strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Development Officer include:

• Raising funds towards the Annual Giving team goals.
• Collaborating with the Director to develop and implement cultivation and stewardship strategies for high-value annual giving prospects and donors.
• Monitoring performance against agreed-upon objectives and goals.
• Executing a work plan in accordance with Annual Giving team goals and individual goals.
• Implementing a program of high-touch personal contact with high-value annual giving donors and prospects.
• Making regular identification, cultivation, and stewardship contacts to deepen donor engagement.
• Identifying suspects/prospects with major gift potential for hand-off to individual giving staff.
• Preparing relevant materials for individual giving staff and other development staff as needed.
• Researching annual giving suspects/prospects/donors and developing cultivation strategies. 1
• Monitoring donor relationships to ensure appropriate interaction levels. 1
• Keeping up to date on programmatic developments for application in cultivation strategies. 1
• Responding to inquiries from donors and prospects and providing appropriate information. 1
• Collaborating with Regional Philanthropy and Gift Planning teams to provide comprehensive engagement opportunities. 1
• Assisting the Director and other development staff with WWF engagement opportunities and projects as needed. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires several key competencies, including:

• Reliability, Independence, and Follow-Through: The ability to independently manage donor engagement and fundraising responsibilities.
• Organization, Attention-To-Detail, and Time Management: Strong organizational skills to prioritize donor engagement activities and manage multiple relationships.
• Interpersonal Communications and Collaboration: Clear and professional communication with donors and effective collaboration across teams.
• Relationship Management and Stakeholder Engagement: Professional representation of WWF in donor interactions.
• Intellectual Curiosity: A desire to understand WWF programs and align them with donor interests.
• Research and Analytical Skills: Attention to detail in research and correspondence to ensure high-quality execution of strategies.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required for this position. Additionally, knowledge of development practices and techniques is essential for success in this role.

Experience:
The Development Officer position requires a minimum of four years of demonstrated success in fundraising, including experience in cultivating and soliciting donors. The candidate should have a proven ability to represent WWF professionally to donors, members, and the public, and should be capable of working independently while also contributing effectively as part of a team.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for communication with donors and stakeholders. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and this position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. In compliance with federal law, all hired individuals will need to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S. upon hire. The organization does not provide relocation assistance for this position. WWF promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals, regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.