Director of Major Giving

Director of Major Giving

At Save the Sound, we combine science and strategic legal expertise to defend and restore our region's waterways and green spaces. Join us in turning passion into impact—securing the resources today that will sustain our planet for generations to come.

The Director of Major Giving will be responsible for advancing relationships and raising funds from individuals, families, and family foundations. This includes managing the process of identifying, qualifying, cultivating and soliciting major gifts, planned giving and annual fund donors and prospects, and closing and stewarding gifts in a timely manner. Additionally, they will manage and grow a personal portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $10,000 or more, with an increasing focus on those capable of making six and seven figure gifts.

This position will report to the Executive Vice President of Philanthropy and manage our major gift team. Key responsibilities will include:

• Drive all major donor ($1,000 and over) fundraising streams (e.g. annual major giving, campaign giving and planned giving) to achieve organizational individual giving goals creating giving strategies and opportunities that align with programs and projects.
• Supervise and guide the Major Gift team, two Major Gift Managers and the Development Associate ensuring that organizational major donor and team goals are achieved. Set performance goals, build team capacity, and foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on donor-centered fundraising.
• Personally cultivate and solicit a portfolio of 75-100 high-capacity prospects capable of making investments of $10,000 or more, with a focus on six- and seven-figure gifts. Drive a data-informed pipeline strategy from identification through stewardship.
• Lead the organization's planned giving strategy, engaging donors in meaningful conversations about philanthropic legacy, estate planning, and long-term impact. Grow the planned giving pipeline as a strategic priority for organizational sustainability.
• Become part of our Sound Future Campaign team to complete a $12 Million campaign, 90% completed. Help shape the vision for post-campaign fundraising and long-term philanthropic growth.
• Maintain prompt and accurate records of donor interactions and strategies in the organization's CRM.
• Direct major donor communication plan: drafting, production and mailing of major donor appeals, impact reports, and other materials necessary for major donor fundraising and coordinating on email and social media communications to align with plan.
• With the team, design and oversee a calendar of major donor cultivation events, including at least 4 major donor reception events and 3-5 field trips for major donors.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Required:

• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in major gift fundraising, with proven success securing gifts of $100K+.
• Strong knowledge of and execution of best practices in major giving, donor engagement, and stewardship.
• Skilled in cultivating donor relationships aligned with organizational goals and donor interests.
• Superb written and verbal skills; able to craft compelling proposals and convey impact through data and storytelling.
• 3-5 years experience in supervising teams and strong management skills, with a demonstrated ability to set strategy, manage performance, and build a collaborative team culture.
• Excellent interpersonal awareness and skills working with large and small teams, with the ability to collaborate across departments, engage board members and volunteers in fundraising, and represent the organization at the highest levels.
• High degree of comfort communicating information to a wide range of audiences, from individual major donors to the general public.
• Fluency with Microsoft office suite, CRM platforms and data-driven pipeline management; able to leverage technology for portfolio analysis, forecasting, and team accountability.
• Highly organized with outstanding attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities at once.
• Committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and discretion.
• Preference for a candidate who lives in Fairfield or…