Annual Giving Manager

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee (the Society) is seeking an Annual Giving Manager to join a fun and talented team of professionals in supporting one of the most cherished community assets – the Milwaukee County Zoo. This role is responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating the Society’s annual giving program with a focus on driving broad-based support across multiple entry points. This role oversees all annual giving appeals and related activities, as well as management of the Platypus Circle program, ensuring a donor-centered experience that encourages engagement, retention and growth.

This is a full-time position eligible for a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, complimentary dental, vision, life, STD and LTD coverage, 401k with up to a 5% match, PTO, paid holidays, and a complimentary zoo pass, up to the family level.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Support the coordinated strategy of prospect development across assigned functions: annual giving and related giving circles.

Develop and implement a strategy for annual giving requests, including, but not limited to, multiple direct mail appeals, Platypus Circle and online giving.

Recruit, cultivate, solicit and steward Platypus Circle memberships.

Work collaboratively with the Manager of Operations and Stewardship to ensure a holistic approach to customer service and stewardship for annual giving and Platypus Circle.

Prepare periodic reports on fundraising activities for presentation to staff and the board.

Assist with prospect research and the compilation of prospect lists, ensuring the accurate and proper recording and tracking of prospect and donor data.

Evaluate the quality and impact of assigned programs on an ongoing basis and adjust as necessary to meet goals and objectives.

Maintain strong and engaged relationships with prospects and donors with well-written communications, personal visits, and other meaningful contacts.

Manage budgets (as assigned) effectively to ensure compliance with revenue and expense goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree preferred, plus at least 5 years of professional fundraising or development experience, with a focus on annual giving and donor appeals (or the equivalent combination of education and experience).

Demonstrated experience managing multi-channel fundraising campaigns (direct mail, email, digital, or similar).

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft donor-centered messaging.

Experience working with a donor database/CRM (Tessitura preferred).

Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including staff and external partners, donors, prospects, and volunteers.

Excellent interpersonal, time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize under pressure.

Self-starter and strategic-thinker with strong analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Ability to effectively present information to diverse audiences and organizations, as well as one on one.

Strong attention to detail with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to collaborate with a team on projects with a diverse constituency of staff and donors.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Ability to effectively manage a budget.

Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional weekends, early mornings and evenings according to demands of the role and tasks; i.e. attend events.

Possession of a valid driver’s license with frequent local and regional travel required.

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee believes diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI) are the hallmarks of a robust, vibrant community and have adopted DEAI as foundational to our organizations’ priorities and values. A successful candidate will embrace these values and incorporate a similar commitment within their scope of work to foster an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity, which is demonstrated through actions and words.

The Society provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our Human Resources department at [email protected].