National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR THE POSITION OF:

DIRECTOR OF DONOR RELATIONS

JOB DESCRIPTION

The National Council of Churches is the leading ecumenical organization among Christians in the United States. It encompasses 35 member communions including Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox communions, African-American denominations and historic peace churches. The Council serves as both a convener and voice for a faith constituency of almost 50 million people and over 100,000 congregations in all 50 states. It is organized around five program commissions and does extensive work in research, Bible translation, Christian education, theological and interfaith dialogue, witness through the media, and advocacy around issues of social justice and public policy.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Director of Donor Relations identifies, cultivates and solicits major and planned gift prospects for the Council; manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors around the country; and consults and advises Council officers and staff on major gift programs and resource development issues. Travel required.

This position is non-exempt and non-bargaining unit.

REPORTS TO

This position works under the direction of the General Secretary on enhancing donor relations and, in particular, major gifts; and is administratively responsible to the Deputy General Secretary/Chief Operating Officer, and works with the Director of Development in fulfillment of the overall development plan for the Council.

QUALIFICATIONS

College degree and demonstrated human relations and effective communications skills required. Fundraising experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully establish long term relationships with contributors is also required. Knowledge of the ecumenical movement, the Council and its member communions preferred.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities entail the following:

Works under the direction of the General Secretary to fulfill the overall development plan for the Council providing research, communication and support to enlarge the circle of donors and to enhance the giving of current donors.

Identifies major gift prospects and visits key donors and prospects of the Council to solicit gifts.

Directs activities to identify, cultivate and solicit significant donations from the Council’s key donors.

Maintains excellent major donor relations through personal contacts, calls, email, letters and arranging meetings with Council officers and staff.

Organizes cultivation events and other opportunities to raise contributions.

Prepares comprehensive major gift prospect strategies for the Council.

Functions as a liaison and consultant to Council officers and staff. Advises and assists them in the area of gift solicitation.

In conjunction with Council officers establishes annual goals for major gifts and planned giving.

Other assignments under the direction of the General Secretary.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Under the direction of the General Secretary, the incumbent has the authority to advise and give direction to Council officers and staff in developing and implementing the Council’s and their Commissions’ major gift and planned giving programs. He/she determines when and where to travel and whom to visit in cultivating donor prospects in compliance with Council travel policies. Challenges regularly faced are communication across Commissions, committees, and working groups of the Council, including information sharing, managing prospects, and ensuring information regarding potential donors and development issues are properly communicated. The incumbent will coordinate the research that goes into development, implementation, cultivation and solicitation strategies for each potential donor.

DISCLAIMER

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

LOCATION

The Director of Donor Relations will work out of the NCC New York office. The NCC does not reimburse relocation expenses.

SALARY

Commensurate with experience.

External Deadline: External candidate applications may be received until the close of business on August 7, 2009.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to:

Director of Donor Relations Search,Attn: Joan Gardner, National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 800, New York, NY10115. No calls please. Electronic applications preferred.

The National Council of Churches is an equal opportunity employer. For more information about the Council go to

*** It is preferred that in order to be considered for this position a candidate be a member in good standing of one of the NCCCUSA member communions.