Regional Director of Donor Relations - Lifewater

Position: Regional Director of Donor Relations

Location: Bentonville, AR

Status: Full time, Exempt

Reports to: Sr. Director of Donor Relations

Position Overview

The Regional Director of Donor Relations will serve a portfolio of qualified donors in the Central part of the USA. The position will be responsible for donor research, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, retention, and will ensure that donors are invited to participate and engage in the work and outreach of Lifewater International.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with 175 accounts representing individuals, churches, businesses, and foundations to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward these relationships through excellent 12-month planning and intentional outreach
• Develop and cultivate at least 80 major donors/year from your accounts
• Develop and cultivate at least 10 President’s Circle donors
• Identify major gift referral prospects (10% of portfolio size) by executing a robust referral strategy with established partners
• Draft major donor gift proposals and solicit major gifts from individuals, churches, corporate partners, and foundations
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors who have announced a commitment to planned giving
• Recruit, train, and support key influencers who assist in advancement efforts
• Steward and acknowledge donor gifts in a timely and personally appropriate manner, ensuring that donors feel appreciated and understand the significance of their gifts and partnership
• Mobilize and accompany donors to visit Lifewater programs in Africa or Asia
• Actively contribute to development strategies and Philanthropy team initiatives, making recommendations related to donor care and program strategies
• Facilitate meetings with high-impact donors with Lifewater’s CEO and Sr. Vice Presidents
• Perform all related administrative duties including but not limited to ensuring that records/contacts on the database are maintained accurately and continuously entered and all financial and administrative reports are submitted in a timely manner
• Travel 50 – 84 days a year (domestic and international)

Work Experience and Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with 3 to 5 years of progressive responsibility directly serving donors and/or clients to help organizations grow
• Knowledge and experience with computers and technology, proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, SalesForce, or a CRM donor database
• Passionate about fundraising and the joy of giving
• Excellent writing and pitch skills
• Self-motivated, can work in a fast pace environment
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication abilities
• Time management and multi-tasking skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Collaborative team player
• Non Profit Fundraising Experience

Preferred Qualifications

• CFRE Accreditation

To be successful as a member of the Lifewater team, you will also:

• Be moved to action by our global water and sanitation crisis, and feel a deep sense of calling for the work of Lifewater
• Have a passion for our mission, vision, and core values and a strong desire to shape the future of the organization
• Be a humble and creative problem solver - you are not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
• Have a strong work ethic
• Work well independently as well as part of a team
• Thrive in a fast-paced, ever changing, and fun environment
• Demonstrate patience yet persistence in donor cultivation
• Ability to persevere through challenges in the midst of rejections