Position Title:Vice President of Philanthropy

Department:Development

Reports To:Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

Location:Audubon Zoo

General Summary: Audubon Nature Institute comprises the largest family of museums and parks of its kind in the United States, with 15,000 animals in our care. We are recognized as a leader in quality of all we do, in vision and in innovation. We focus on a range of projects and priorities, but all have one goal behind them: to ensure that Audubon is a world-class institution serving the public. The Vice President of Philanthropy leads efforts to secure funding for all Audubon Nature Institute facilities, projects, and programs through fundraising, capital campaigns, fundraising events, and member services. The Vice President of Philanthropy also oversees fundraising efforts for Audubon Nature Institute Foundation. The position is both internally and externally focused, requiring an ability to inspire confidence and trust among stakeholders from all backgrounds. This senior staff position works closely with Audubon’s CEO and Executive Team to identify funding priorities and to create robust fundraising strategies. The Vice President of Philanthropy provides a unified vision for Audubon’s fundraising professionals, maximizing success by integrating areas of specialization into a cohesive program. The Vice President of Philanthropy builds lasting relationships between Audubon and donors, striving to instill a culture of philanthropy across Audubon.

To deliver on the Audubon mission, the Vice President of Philanthropy will: 

Perform Essential Duties

FUNDRAISING

•Oversee Development operations that meaningfully connect donors to Audubon’s mission, achieve fundraising goals at all levels, and comply with legal and ethical requirements

•Compellingly articulate the vision and mission of Audubon with a clear understanding of the scope of programs and projects to lead to substantive discussions with donors and prospects

•Lead delivery of cultivation and solicitation support to executive staff and key volunteers

•Be the primary spokesperson for philanthropy at Audubon with the Audubon Board and Foundation.

•Serve as primary advocate for donors and their stewardship by Audubon

•Guide the development and implementation of an effective comprehensive fundraising program that sustains Audubon’s long-term success by expanding Audubon’s donor base and strengthening donors’ relationship with Audubon.

•Personally cultivate and solicit a robust portfolio of 5-7 figure gifts from new prospects and existing individual, corporate, and foundation donors.

•Oversee case for support development and customization for specific donors; approve final versions of proposal packages.

•Provide outstanding “insider” experiences through tours, animal encounters, and events to donors and prospects.

•Oversee $125 million capital campaign ($100 public funds; $25 million private), overseeing implementation with Campaign Director

MEMBER SERVICES

•Oversee Member Services operations that are efficient, welcoming, and accurate

•In collaboration with Director of Member Services and Director of Development, guide implementation of Member to donor program

•Collaborate with Communications team to create timely communications focused on philanthropy at Audubon.

•Oversee pricing and promotional strategies for membership program in collaboration with Director of Member Services and executive team members; approve communications materials.

AUDUBON ADMINISTRATION

•Actively participate in Senior Staff meetings and strategic discussions involving Audubon’s future

•Approve final versions of all major communications materials generated by reporting departments

•Ensure maintenance of priority list of capital projects, programs, and operating needs that could be supported by private or public sources.

•Develop strong relationships with program staff to ensure a cross cutting culture of philanthropy within Audubon where all program teams are involved in philanthropy 

DEVELOPMENT EVENTS

•Oversee operations for premier fundraising events, including Zoo-To-Do events and Scales & Ales that provide outstanding food, beverages, and entertainment in an unparalleled setting for guests and a high-quality, meaningful experience for volunteers.

•Oversee pricing, sponsor packages, committee leadership, honorary chairs, and promotional strategies

•Guide fundraising and production details related to Zoo-To-Do events and Scales & Ales

•In collaboration with Director of Development Events, develop sponsorship opportunities that support other Audubon events and initiatives.

AUDUBON NATURE INSTITUTE FOUNDATION 

•In collaboration with Director of Development, provide annual impact report to foundation donors

•Attend Audubon Nature Institute Foundation meeting

PERFORM MANAGEMENT DUTIES

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•Direct the efforts of Development, Development Events, Development Services and Member Services team. Coordinate at the strategic and tactical levels with the other functions of the organization.

•Serve as a collaborative leader who coaches, supervises, and evaluates Development, Development Events, Development Services and Member Services departments and ensures team members have the tools needed to accomplish their jobs. 

•Provide guidance to all team members and track performance against annual goals, operational plan and budget developed in collaboration with team leaders.

•Communicate regularly with the team to strategize about status of program activities; evaluate areas needing focus and growth.

•Explore new ideas through professional growth opportunities.

MANAGE DIRECT REPORTS

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•Director of Development

•Director of Development Events

•Director of Development Operations

•Director of Member Services

•Campaign Director

The above listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned.

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To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the Vice President of Philanthropy will: 

Welcome

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•Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.

•Wear identification badge.

•Walk individual to destination instead of pointing; offer assistance to people who look confused.

•Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spill, pick up trash). Always have the camera-ready look.

Share

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•Maintain positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it).

•Coach coworkers on service expectations.

•Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.

•Know when to involve management.

Inspire

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•Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers.

•Utilize proper phone etiquette (answer phone within three rings, smile before answering call, ask for permission and wait for response before placing caller on hold).

•Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.

•Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.

•Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors (vent backstage).

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Experience: 

•Ten years of advanced level professional experience in development, preferably in mid to large scale nonprofits, or in a field such as banking or finance requiring interactions with executive team, corporate leaders and high net-worth individuals

•Seven years managing and leading a capital-generating department desired.

•Proven ability to motivate and direct a committed group of volunteer fundraisers; comfortable providing direction and support to others doing the solicitation.

•A personal record of success in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting high net worth individual and institutional gifts or significant business accounts.

•Experience in New Orleans, with a deep knowledge of the philanthropic community is preferred.

•A track record as an effective communicator who is enthusiastic, articulate and persuasive, with excellent writing skills.

•Experience working with sensitive information and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

•Understanding of IRS regulations related to donations, including the 990, as well as OMB 2 CFR Part 200

Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

Licensure/Certification: Valid driver’s license

Software Requirements:

1.Expert knowledge of Microsoft products, including advanced functions of Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point 

2.Proficient in use of Adobe Acrobat

3.Knowledge of Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge database software or similar CRM

4.Knowledge of Microsoft Teams preferred.

Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements:

1.Ability to use mobile devices, computer, scanner, telephone, and copy machine.

2.Ability to drive a golf cart.

Physical Requirements:

1.Sedentary Work: exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. May involve sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

2.Sitting or standing, bending, stooping, and the ability to carry items weighing up to 30 pounds.

3.Constant adequate range of motion and mobility required.

4.Regular near acuity with clarity of vision at 20 inches or less required. 

5.Typical ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or actions required.

6.Regular talking and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language expected.

7.Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds.

8.Constant ability to read, record, or type data quickly and accurately required.

Environmental/Working Conditions:

1.Willingness and ability to work after-hours and weekends when necessary.

2.Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner required.

3.May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity.

4.Exposure to fluctuations in temperatures may be required.

5.Exposure to outdoor conditions may be required.

Other abilities, skills, knowledge:

1.Ability and commitment to working with diverse groups in terms of gender expression, race, sexual orientations, religion, ability, class, and immigrant status. 

2.A collaborative nature with the ability to quickly establish credibility and gain the respect and support of colleagues, donors, and volunteers.

3.A good listener; comfortable receiving input from many sources and able to analyze and formulate disparate information into a sound, well-organized plan.

4.A quick study; extremely well-organized; a creative self-starter; capable of handling multiple tasks and establishing priorities. 

5.Affinity for animals, conservation, and sustainability preferred. 

6.Passionate and committed to helping secure financial support for Audubon.

7.Understand and support the AFP Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice.

8.Demonstrate empathetic disposition and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude; and convey sensitivity to donor needs.