We need the ocean. The ocean needs us.

Role Summary

As a Specialist, Philanthropy, you will manage a portfolio of 100+ potential and current donors. Working in collaboration with Ocean Wise conservation staff, you will deliver appropriate activations, donor stewardship activities and work closely with members of the Philanthropy, Corporate & Foundation Partnerships teams to maximize revenues of $25M in revenues by 2027, with a personal annual target of $500,000 in year 1, increasing on an annual basis.

Who You Are

You have demonstrated success in working with donors and fundraising. You are proficient in negotiation and creating inspired donor experiences, as well as impactful partnerships. You are a builder and an innovative collaborator with experience in major gifts and sponsorship programs. You model collaboration, integrity, creative thinking, and a solution-oriented mindset.

What You Will Be Doing

Portfolio Management

Develop and implement personalized cultivation and solicitation plans for prospective major gift donors and corporate sponsors
Engage in face-to-face meetings and personalized contact activities
Ensure that donors receive impeccable and personalized stewardship, through tailored correspondence, reports, and updates in a timely and professional manner
Satisfy relationship commitments in collaboration with other teams, delivering excellent experiences throughout the sponsorship in line with Ocean Wise values
Prepare and coordinate materials such as proposals, briefing notes, presentations, call reports, letters, and other documents/materials
Maintain and properly record information about prospects, donors, and sponsors, utilizing centralized electronic system and database
Track benchmarks and deliver on goals quarterly and annually.

Support an integrated approach to fundraising

Develop strategies in collaboration with members of the team to deepen relationships with its donor and communities
Engage conservation teams to identify prospective donors and sponsors, working collaboratively with Corporate & Foundation Partnerships to maximize revenue from corporate supporters
Take the lead in developing major gift cultivation/stewardship events or initiatives, working in collaboration with the Stewardship Specialist, and other staff members

Promote a Culture of Philanthropy at Ocean Wise

Actively identify and assist with creating opportunities for cross-team learning on the importance that everyone at Ocean Wise plays a role in philanthropy.
Involve the appropriate Ocean Wise program staff or senior leaders in developing and deepening relationships with donors and prospects.

What You Bring

Post-secondary education or equivalent experience in philanthropy and fundraising
5+ years of experience and success in corporate support or major gift fundraising of 6-figure gifts
Demonstrated success working with senior business and community leaders, as well as leading philanthropists
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and persuade audience
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks within deadlines
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments with the business acumen to understand when each approach is appropriate
Experience using Salesforce or other CRM, as well as Microsoft Office Suite products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint
Flexibility to work weekends or evening on occasion
Assets:
- CRFE designation

How You Will Be Measured

You will achieve or exceed annual revenue targets of $500,000+ in support of the Philanthropy portfolio.
You will manage a pipeline of 100+ current and potential donors that drive revenue, and that are appropriately tracked according to agreed upon moves management protocols.
You will use Salesforce, our internal Dashboard, and other systems accurately and effectively to track progress within your portfolio
You will work according to Ocean Wise’s values of Knowledge, Integrity, Extreme Collaboration, Impact, Optimism

What We Offer

This full-time, benefits-eligible position offers:

A hybrid working environment, with the option to work in person in our beautiful downtown Vancouver head office
A competitive base salary, $64,350 - $71,500, in line with market data for not-for-profit organizations
Benefits coverage on a premium cost-shared basis, including
- Extended health and dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Group term and supplemental life insurance
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
RRSP matching of up to 6% after one year of service
15 paid vacation days to start
10 paid sick days,
2 wellness days
12 paid Statutory and General Holidays each calendar year
An annual all-staff retreat to allow in-person connections and team building
Professional development opportunities
The opportunity to be part of a team that’s helping to save the ocean!

Where and How You’ll Work

Our typical work week is 37.5 hours. This is a hybrid position with the option to work at our headquarters in downtown Vancouver, if desired. The candidate must reside in Vancouver to support donor meetings in the Vancouver area. The role may require flexibility to travel for meetings and/or to work occasional weekends and evenings to attend Ocean Wise shoreline cleanups, events, and conferences. This role involves sitting, standing, working on a computer or laptop, participating in phone and video calls.

Who We Are

Ocean Wise is a global conversation organization on a mission to build communities that take meaningful action to protect and restore our ocean. Learn more about us at ocean.org.

Inclusion and Diversity
At Ocean Wise, we believe that a welcoming and diverse workplace fosters the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented. We encourage applications from individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process.

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Specialist, Philanthropy