Principal Gifts Officer

The Africa Principal Gifts Officer (PGO) is responsible for developing and implementing fundraising strategies to secure philanthropic support for Africa and other organizational conservation priorities from a select portfolio of individuals and foundations capable of making gifts of $5 million or more. Reporting to the Director of Development for Africa, the PGO leads and participates in complex donor strategy teams, oversees donor giving groups, drives strategic discovery efforts to identify new principal gift prospects, and helps ensure a strong pipeline of transformational donors.

The PGO collaborates closely with fundraising colleagues across TNC, as well as leaders within the Africa team and conservation programs throughout the organization, to advance shared fundraising and conservation goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Africa Principal Gifts Officer (PGO) develops and implements sophisticated donor strategies and manages a portfolio of principal gift donors and prospects, leading all aspects of the fundraising cycle, including research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Working closely with conservation and development staff, the PGO creates complex philanthropic opportunities using a variety of giving vehicles to advance TNC’s priorities and ensures exceptional donor stewardship through reports, meetings, events, and field experiences.

The PGO possesses a deep understanding of Africa’s conservation strategy and its connection to organizational priorities, leveraging this knowledge to advance donor engagement. They bring creativity, determination, and enthusiasm to TNC’s $12 billion Together We Find a Way Campaign, build and expand their portfolio of Africa focused donors through giving groups, peer networks and innovative discovery strategies, and apply expertise in philanthropic giving, assets, and ownership structures.

The role also includes serving as a moves manager for senior members of the Africa Team and other organizational leaders, while maintaining accurate donor records in TNC’s donor database.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Manage a portfolio of up to 40 principal gift donors and prospects with an interest in Africa, including individuals in discovery and qualification. Responsible for at least four strategic moves per donor annually and achieving annual fundraising goals of at least $5 million.
• Serve as an Africa subject matter expert and strategic partner on complex donor strategy teams, collaborating with top-performing fundraisers, conservation leaders, and organizational leaders to inspire transformational philanthropic support for Africa’s conservation efforts and organizational priorities.
• Lead donor engagement and portfolio growth efforts, including oversight of high-performing donor giving groups, strategic discovery and qualification activities, and the cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and expansion of principal gift prospects through peer networks and innovative engagement strategies.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture by embracing cross-cultural communication, continuous learning, strong self-awareness, and a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and respect.
• Exercise significant independent judgment and decision-making on matters that may have program-wide impact, affect staff beyond the program, or create financial or legal obligations for the organization, while ensuring compliance with TNC policies, donor requirements, legal regulations, and ethical standards.
• Lead and manage complex, high-profile initiatives and agreements, coordinating cross-functional teams, overseeing budgets and accountability, participating in sensitive negotiations, and maintaining…