What are the responsibilities and job description for the Major Gifts Manager position at Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc.?
Your Role: Major Gifts Manager
Your Manager: Vice President of Philanthropy
Your Pay Structure (FLSA Status): Full-time, salary/exempt
Safety Sensitive: This is a safety-sensitive position. Regardless of whether you are a medical marijuana licensee, you must receive a negative result on a 10-panel, pre-placement drug screening to include THC, prior to beginning work.
The Zoo
Your Manager: Vice President of Philanthropy
Your Pay Structure (FLSA Status): Full-time, salary/exempt
Safety Sensitive: This is a safety-sensitive position. Regardless of whether you are a medical marijuana licensee, you must receive a negative result on a 10-panel, pre-placement drug screening to include THC, prior to beginning work.
The Zoo
- Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. (TZMI) is a nonprofit organization driven by our mission of Connecting, Caring, Advocating for Wildlife, People, and Wild Places. From trumpeting elephants to squawking parrots, each member of our team is integral to the success of the Zoo as Green Country’s largest paid daily attraction. At Tulsa Zoo, the IDEA is a zoo for all. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. Apply today for your opportunity to join our dynamic group of passionate individuals who bring the zoo to life each day, 365 days per year, caring for animals, interacting with guests, educating the public, and managing the Zoo’s grounds, operations, and facilities.
A Few of Your Many Benefits
- Free family-level Tulsa Zoo membership
Medical, dental, and vision benefits beginning your first day of employment
- 401k
- Unlimited virtual visits with a mental health therapist at no cost to you
- Food, beverage, and retail discounts on zoo grounds
- Generous paid time off plans
Your Job
The Major Gifts Manager serves as a key team member and an active participant in strategic decisions affecting Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. In partnership with the VP of Philanthropy, this position is responsible for establishing, directing, and coordinating major giving, planned giving, and special projects to meet budgetary requirements for both operating expenses and long-term development. The Major Gifts Manager will help forge new relationships to build visibility, impact, and financial resources for Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. This role will act as an ambassador for the Zoo in the community, with the primary goal of developing new funding sources and maintaining positive donor, volunteer, and member relationships.
Your Essential Responsibilities
The Major Gifts Manager serves as a key team member and an active participant in strategic decisions affecting Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. In partnership with the VP of Philanthropy, this position is responsible for establishing, directing, and coordinating major giving, planned giving, and special projects to meet budgetary requirements for both operating expenses and long-term development. The Major Gifts Manager will help forge new relationships to build visibility, impact, and financial resources for Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. This role will act as an ambassador for the Zoo in the community, with the primary goal of developing new funding sources and maintaining positive donor, volunteer, and member relationships.
Your Essential Responsibilities
If you disclose different abilities, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable you to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.
- Develop, direct, manage, and evaluate major gift funding programs.
- Research and coordinate grant and foundation application efforts. Directly involved in and responsible for grant-writing efforts.
- Oversee and assist coordinating, directing, and soliciting all planned legacy giving.
- Work with staff to ensure capital campaigns are supported by interfacing with marketing, publicity, and other important partnerships.
- Develop written proposals, illustrations, gift agreements, renewal letters, and other donor communications.
- Assist VP of Philanthropy with the fundraising needs of capital campaigns and any public funding campaigns.
- Develop and manage recognition programs for donors.
- Build and maintain positive relationships in the community through networking and community involvement. Act as an ambassador for the Zoo, exhibiting understanding and commitment to TZMI’s mission.
- Serve as staff liaison with designated Board committees as requested.
- Serve as an active member of the Zoo’s Philanthropy team, tasked with all philanthropic efforts for the organization.
- Track and report relationship management activity using constituent relationship management system, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, proposal submission, and stewardship of prospective and current individual major donors; assist with review and verification of major gift donor recognition lists.
- In accordance with TZMI policies and procedures, oversee acknowledgements of all gifts and provide necessary documentation according to IRS regulations, ensuring proper and timely stewardship.
- Remain current on laws, policies, and guidelines for charitable giving and planned giving, including the IRS, federal, and state laws.
- Effectively communicate and demonstrate interpersonal skills with all levels of employees in a clear and professional manner.
- Demonstrate and adhere to TZMI’s workplace values.
- Know and follow zoo policies and procedures, including emergency protocols.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings and assigned training sessions.
- Other duties may be assigned to you.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no direct reports.
What We Expect
This position has no direct reports.
What We Expect
Required Qualifications, Education and/or Experience
- Must be 18 years or older, possess a valid driver’s license, and be insurable on TZMI’s insurance carrier
- Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university in business, marketing, public relations, or related field; five years related experience in a leadership role in progressive non-profit and demonstrated knowledge of fundraising, advanced gift planning, capital campaigns, and major gifts solicitations; Demonstrated history of success in management and fundraising development and proven relationships with donor community; creative capacity to enhance event and funding programs
- Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries and complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex subjects to TZMI employees, top management, board of directors, and public groups.
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, percentages, algebra, geometry, fractions, ratios, and decimals and apply them to practical situations.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software; expert level experience with Raiser’s Edge or equivalent donor database; Internet Browser(s) - Explorer, Chrome, Safari, etc. Proficiency in personal computer Windows environment.
- Member of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) a plus. CFRE preferred.
What You can Expect
Our Values
Our Values
- We are enthusiastically committed to be part of the Tulsa Zoo community.
- We will all work together as one Zoo Team to support the Zoo’s mission.
- We will value and appreciate everyone and create a safe, understanding, and welcoming environment for all.
- We will all be accountable for achieving excellence.
- We will earn the trust of one another, acting honestly and treating each other with respect.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Moving about - frequently
- Sitting - frequently
- Standing - frequently R
- Reaching with hands and arms – frequently
- Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling - occasionally
- Exchange of in-person, phone, radio, or digital communication - frequently
- Carrying or lifting up to 50 pounds – occasionally
- Pushing and/or pulling up to 50 pounds – occasionally
- Gripping, pinching, writing, and other hand movements - frequently
- Climbing and/or balancing – rarely
- Exposure to outdoor weather conditions - occasionally
- Exposure to high noise levels- occasionally
- Work near moving mechanical parts – rarely
- Wet or humid environment - occasionally
