Major Gifts Officer

Position Overview: Washington, D.C., nonprofit organization seeks fundraising professional with at least five years of experience in major gifts and a passion for our mission to promote plant-based diets and alternatives to the use of animals in research. This is a full-time position that may be performed remotely from any location in California and requires evening and weekend work along with travel approximately monthly. A valid driver's license is also required.

About the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Industry: Nonprofit organization

The Physicians Committee’s Mission and Vision: The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is dedicated to saving and improving human and animal lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. Our vision is to create a healthier world in which health and compassion are central values in science and medicine.

The Physicians Committee’s Values:

• Compassion: We encourage compassion for people and animals.
• Health: We promote good health through good nutrition. We practice what we preach by having a vegan office environment, ongoing nutrition education, and a culture that supports health and wellness.
• Truth: We base our recommendations on evidence, not on biases or what is commonly accepted.
• Professionalism: We hold our work to the highest standards, down to the last detail. This shows up in our scientific publications, our campaign work, and our public communications, and also in our appearance, our work ethic, how we keep our workspaces and take care of our resources, our focus on professional development, and the courtesies we extend to others.
• Action: We speak out against unhealthful, dangerous, and unethical practices. We push limits and persevere.
• Innovation: We bring new approaches to solving problems and continually seek ways to be more effective. We are not afraid to take risks.
• Urgency: Our problems are urgent, and so are our responses. We stay alert to issues that need our attention and stay in close touch with one another and with our members and partners so we’re able to take immediate action whenever necessary.
• Dedication: This is a cause, not just a job. We go the extra mile to bring about a healthier, more compassionate world.
• Collaboration: Working together, everyone achieves more. We collaborate with each other, with our members, and with other organizations.
• Positivity: We approach our work with optimism. We plan with the end in mind and envision success.

Location: The Physicians Committee is headquartered in Washington, D.C. (Friendship Heights on Metro’s Red Line).

Organization-Size: Approximately 100 employees.

Employee Benefits: Primary health and financial benefits:

• Health insurance with 100% of the deductible and 75% of the premium paid by the Physicians Committee for full-time employees.
• Dental insurance available at a group discount.
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with matching contribution of $0.50 per dollar up to 6% of salary.
• Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care expenses which allows paying for some expenses on a pre-tax basis.
• Pre-tax purchase of Metro fare.
• Long-term disability income protection insurance and life insurance fully paid for by the Physicians Committee.
• 20 days of paid time off to start plus 14 paid holidays.

Learn More About the Physicians Committee: We invite you to visit our website at PCRM.org or our YouTube channel.

About the Role

Position Title/Job Function: Major Gifts Officer

Position Objective: Identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors to contribute to growing support of the organization’s mission.

About the Development Team: The Development team supports the Physicians Committee’s work through a variety of fundraising channels, including individual gifts, grants, direct response, legacy giving, and special events. The team members are dedicated to finding innovative ways to keep existing supporters informed of campaign progress and to seek new support. The team is knowledgeable and well-versed in the organization’s efforts and prides itself on being creative, accessible, donor-centric, and supportive of each other.

Essential Functions:

Donor Relations:

• Managing a portfolio of approximately 150 individuals with the capacity to make donations of $5,000+
• Helping to create and implement a strategic plan for the cultivation and solicitation of existing donors
• Identifying, qualifying, and adding new prospects to the major gifts program
• Ensuring that all prospects and donors are solicited, tracked, closed, and acknowledged appropriately

Cultivation Strategy:

• Collaborating with other development staff to strengthen strategies and assist in prioritizing the portfolio
• Engaging and supporting staff leadership in the fundraising process
• Recommending visits and coordinating follow-up and solicitation efforts
• Participating in prospect review meetings to share ideas and report progress

Event Planning:

• Contributing to event planning related to fundraising and execution as needed

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Required Physical Abilities: Office work plus the ability to drive to meet donors, travel to events, and assist with event set-up and break down (i.e., lift and move boxes and other equipment that weigh up to 40 pounds).

Work Location: This is a full-time position that may be performed remotely from any location in California.

Required Travel: Travel is required approximately monthly to meet with donors and/or attend events. Travel will be within California as well as to Washington, D.C., and other locations.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time exempt position (40+ hours per week). The Physicians Committee’s core business hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern, Monday through Friday. This position involves evening and weekend work.

Position Level: The position level for this role is flexible and may be Specialist (average of 14 years of total work experience) or Senior Specialist (average of 27 years of total work experience) depending upon the candidate’s education, experience, and skills.

Salary: A salary offer will take into consideration education, experience, and skills along with internal and external reference points. Candidates are encouraged to discuss salary with a position’s hiring manager early in the interview process to ensure alignment.

• Specialist Level:
  • Minimum Salary: $93,000
  • Maximum Salary: $105,000
• Senior Specialist Level:
  • Minimum Salary: $105,000
  • Maximum Salary: $115,000

Reports To:

• Supervisor: Senior Vice President of Development
• Department Director: Senior Vice President of Development

Qualifications

All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Education:

• Required: Bachelor’s degree
• Preferred: None

Credentials:

• Required: None
• Preferred: Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) or similar credential

Work Experience:

• Required: A minimum of 10 years of total working experience, including 5 years of experience with major gifts, i.e., demonstrated success closing gifts larger than $5,000.
• Preferred: A minimum of 15 years of total working experience, including 10 years of experience with major gifts, i.e., demonstrated success closing gifts larger than $5,000.

Additional Qualities:

Required:

• Passion for our mission to promote plant-based diets (including personally following a plant-based vegan diet) and alternatives to the use of animals in research.
• Excellent communications skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to navigate using GPS

Preferred: None

If you do not meet these minimum qualifications but believe that you can perform the position’s essential functions, we invite you to apply. Similarly, if your qualifications exceed the above profile, we invite you to apply.

How to Apply

Application Materials: We require a formal cover letter and resume to apply. In your cover letter, please tell us about your interest in our mission, your related experience and accomplishments, and your professional goals. You may also be asked to respond in writing to screening questions.

Application Deadline: Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.

Application Link: Click here to apply online.

For More Information: Contact the Physicians Committee’s human resources department at careers@pcrm.org.

Application Process:

• Step 1: 30-minute Zoom interview with our Senior Vice President of Development
• Step 2: 60-minute Zoom interview with members of our major gifts team
• Step 3: Full-day in-person working interview at our Washington, D.C., office
• Step 4: 15-minute Zoom interview with Physicians Committee President Dr. Neal Barnard
• Step 5: Reference checks with the three most recent direct supervisors