Partnership Strategist

JOB SUMMARY:

The Partnership Strategist is responsible for advancing the organization’s financial and relational goals through corporate giving and engagement, inclusive of engaging local business partnerships, securing corporate grants and sponsorships, and encouraging employee giving. Working to renew and upgrade individual donor support, they will also steward a portfolio of mid-to-major-level donors through personalized strategies and targeted solicitations. This frontline fundraiser is responsible for advancing best practices in moves management and delivering ongoing, customized reports on the impact of donors’ investments.

Please note: In addition to your resume a cover letter is required.

The Partnership Strategist is an engaged team member, collaborating within the Development and Marketing departments on strategies, events, and activities in support of the state’s largest open-admission shelter.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTES:

• Identify and cultivate relationships with potential sponsors across multiple business sectors, developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to achieve annual revenue goals.
• Support potential sponsors in creating impact, identifying and implementing programs that allow partnerships to thrive. Fulfill organization deliverables and ensure maximum benefit for both parties.
• In partnership with the Directors of Development and Marketing & Communications, identify sponsorship opportunities and build out packages for each opportunity on a rolling basis, ensuring equitable benefits are offered based across sponsor levels.

• Partner with Development and Marketing teams to create high-impact slide decks, cases for support, proposals and other assets that articulate the benefit of partnership and further donor engagement.
• Formulate recommendations and respond to incoming partnership requests, following SOPs and working in conjunction with internal interest holders.
• Work in partnership with Development Strategist to support the Paw it Forward and Kennel Sponsorship programs.
• Proactively serve as lead in qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting a portfolio of 30-50 prospective and current individual donors.
• Develop and implement a targeted and self-directed cultivation strategy for the assigned portfolio with specific responsibility to solidify relationships in order to maximize giving potential for long-term support.
• Efficiently schedule, prepare for, and facilitate donor meetings, targeting at least 10-20 contacts per month (phone calls, emails, personal notes, and visits).
• Research and qualify prospective and current donors, identifying interests, financial capacity, access, and giving history in order to craft the best solicitation approaches.
• Practice best-in-class, personalized stewardship and implement plans to cultivate, retain and maximize giving for donor portfolio.
• Provide complete and accurate data entry in Raisers Edge/NXT, maintaining prospect research notes, up-to-date contact information, engagement and visit reports (actions), personalized solicitation plans (opportunities) and all other relevant details.
• Represent the organization at community events, networking functions, industry meetings and engagement opportunities as assigned, effectively articulating its mission, programs, and funding needs.
• Give tours of the shelter as appropriate and/or assigned.
• Participate in fundraising strategies and initiatives, and the implementation of events, as a supportive member of the Development team.
• Develop and nurture positive, collaborative working relationships with colleagues, board members, and volunteers.
• Keep informed and up-to-date about the shelter’s program work.
• Handle animals in the shelter’s care as required.
• Cross train and serve as back-up for the Donor Systems Specialist, to cover time off and/or assist with batch entry during heavy gift seasons.
• Contribute to team efforts by accomplishing other tasks and special projects as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty well. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Proven track record in corporate sales, including measurable revenue impact or proven track record of successfully closing major gifts in a fundraising capacity.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or three years of non-profit fundraising experience.
• Ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds, training, and experience.
• Self-starter, highly organized, detail oriented, and able to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast paced environment.
• High attention to detail and the ability to audit work for accuracy and quality.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Superb listening and critical-thinking skills, with attention to detail.
• Finalist applicants must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment background check.

While previous non-profit fundraising experience is strongly preferred, the Humane Society encourages exceptional candidates from a broad variety of backgrounds to apply, including recent graduates and those seeking a transition from the private sector, including individuals with sales experience.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong knowledge of fundraising principles.
• Posses an entrepreneurial spirit, crafts creative solutions and opens doors to new donor relationships.
• Experience working with donors on blended and/or legacy gifts.
• Passion for animal welfare and creating a better future for pets and their people.
• Ability to work independently with proven adeptness at collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to develop and advance relationships with a diverse community of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (especially Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• CRM database and communication systems experience, preferably with Raisers Edge/NXT, FreeWill, Monday, Word Press and/or Constant Contact.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position requires the individual to work daily in an office environment, in a space shared with colleagues and office equipment. The individual must have the ability and willingness to travel regionally as required in this position.

At The Human Society for Tacoma and Pierce County we know how important health and welfare benefits are to employees and their families. That is why we strive to offer a wide range of benefit plan designs that you might otherwise find only at a larger corporation. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the diverse needs of our employees. Our offerings include competitive health insurance plans, retirement savings options, life and disability insurance, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development.