Job Title: Senior Philanthropy Officer
Reports to: Director of Philanthropy
Position Classification: Exempt
Position Location: 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Overall Purpose of Job:The Senior Philanthropy Officer is a frontline fundraiser, responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual, corporate, and foundation donors capable of making significant gifts to the Science History Institute. The Senior Philanthropy Officer manages an assigned portfolio of prospects and plays a central role in advancing the Institute's current fundraising priorities. This position works closely with the President & CEO and program leadership to prepare, coordinate, and conduct donor meetings and solicitations. The Senior Philanthropy Officer partners with curatorial, library, and public programs colleagues to translate the Institute's work into compelling cases for support. This position is located at 315 Chestnut Street and requires in-office attendance for a minimum of three days per week.
Essential Functions:- Manage a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects
- Develop and execute written cultivation and solicitation strategies for each assigned prospect, including gift amount, timing, purpose, and solicitor
- Conduct substantive donor contacts, including in-person visits within the Philadelphia region and in key national and international markets
- Prepare proposals, gift agreements, and follow-up correspondence; draft materials for the Director of Philanthropy, President & CEO, and additional Philanthropy staff
- Partner with the Director of Philanthropy on annual giving and leadership-level renewal strategies for assigned donors
- Use the Institute's awards program, exhibition openings, lectures, and donor events as cultivation and stewardship opportunities, working with Philanthropy staff on guest lists and follow-up
- Record all contact reports, proposals, and moves in the Institute's CRM in a timely and accurate manner
- Represent the Institute at professional, scientific, and industry gatherings as assigned
Qualifications:- Minimum of five years of experience cultivating and closing significant commitments from individuals or institutions; this may include major or principal gifts fundraising, institutional grant-seeking, corporate partnerships, or comparable relationship-driven work in another sector
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; advanced degree or comparable experience in a field pertinent to the interests of the Institute is a plus
- Demonstrated ability to build authentic, long-term relationships with donors and to move prospects through a cultivation cycle
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to write persuasively about scientific and historical subject matter
- Comfort holding conversations with people from many walks of life, including scientists, executives, and philanthropic leaders
- A commitment to our mission to tell the stories behind the science
- Proven ability to work with absolute confidentiality and sound judgment
- Outstanding sense of customer service to internal and external audiences
- Proficiency with relationship-management databases; familiarity with Blackbaud products preferred
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project-management software
- Schedule flexibility to work occasional weeknights and weekends, as required
Physical Requirements:- Ability to engage in domestic and international travel
- Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand
- Ability to operate office machinery, including computer, copier, scanner and telephone
*The starting annual salary for this position is: $95,000. Salary may be slightly higher based on candidate's experience.
To be considered for this position, please send cover letter and resume to the link provided.
