Position: Development Officer

Type: Exempt, full-time; hours will vary depending on scheduling needs

Location: Nationwide; some travel to Miami, FL office and sector conferences/meetings required

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000

Organizational Summary

SECORE International, Inc., is an international nonprofit organization established in 2015 with offices in Miami, FL and Bremen, Germany. SECORE, which stands for SExual COral REproduction, is a fast growing, dynamic and diverse organization dedicated to coral reef conservation. Our vision is a world where thriving coral reefs support healthy oceans for future generations. SECORE works with global partners to share its innovative technologies and tools to sustainably restore coral reefs worldwide. SECORE's international operations involve collaborations with universities, nonprofits, governments, zoos and public aquariums, and other stakeholders that unite to give coral reefs a future.

Position Summary

SECORE is seeking a Development Officer (DO) who will be responsible for all contributed and/or unrestricted income streams which will allow SECORE to achieve our mission. In partnership with the Executive Director and the Board, this position is responsible for all fundraising and development activities. The DO reports to SECORE's Founder and Executive Director and serves as a member of the Management Team. The DO will currently operate as a 1-person department and therefore has no direct supervisory duties, which is planned to grow as this individual advance through his/her career at SECORE.

The DO will be responsible for raising approximately 25 percent of SECORE's annual budgeted income ($3.6 million for 2024); it is expected that the amount raised will increase in future years as the organization continues on its rapid growth trajectory. As part of their initial employment experience, this position will have the benefit of working closely with SECORE's development consultant, who has extensive knowledge of and experience with the organization's fundraising program and its staff, donors, and volunteers.

Job Responsibilities

Gift Identification, Cultivation, Solicitation and Stewardship (70%)

* Cultivate new and existing relationships for SECORE to solidify support for program and general operations

* Engage the Executive Director, the Board, and leadership staff to identify and build relationships with potential and existing major funders and additional partners with influence and substantial resources.

o Serve as staff liaison for the Board Development Committee, assist in recruitment of new committee members, establish funding goals, and support the committee in its efforts.

o Provide ongoing development training for the staff and Board.

* Create, execute, and maintain an ongoing stewardship and donor recognition program involving Board, staff, and volunteers. This includes major donor giving circles, that is supportable through SECORE's resources and reflective of its mission.

* Develop letter and grant proposals to meet operating and general programmatic needs.

o Prepare and submit grant reports as required.

* Research and create donor and prospect portfolios for the Executive Director and other staff and board members as appropriate; oversee that portfolios are effectively managed.

* Prepare, support and accompany as needed all solicitors for all prospect and donor calls; record results and ensure timely follow-ups.

Communications (10%)

* Prepare all donor and prospect communications and solicitations, working in partnership and collaboration with SECORE's communications staff.

* Ensure the effectiveness of communications as it relates to fundraising through regular tracking and testing.

* Prepare a toolkit of donor-centric materials to be used on donor and prospects meetings. and as part of annual stewardship communications.

Planning, Goals and Reporting (15%)

* Develop and implement all short- and long-range strategic development plans to diversify the organization's funding base to meet and/or exceed contributed income goals from annual gifts, major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation solicitations, and Zoo and Aquarium Partner members.

* Create and follow a calendar of ongoing foundation and corporate applications and stewardship activities.

* Provide weekly progress reports for the Executive Director and quarterly reports for the Development Committee and the Board.

* On a quarterly basis, update sections of the Strategic Plan related to fundraising and development.

* Forecast monthly financial outcomes of the annual development plan and articulate modifications of strategies to meet/exceed goals.

* Develop and document a prospect research system using DonorPerfect that may be utilized by staff and Board.

* Create an annual development budget and monitor progress monthly.

* Establish the framework for a planned gift program.

* Create and implement a renewal and expansion plan for the Zoo & Aquarium Partners Program that meets and/or exceeds membership goals.

* Ongoing evaluation of the constituent database to assure data needs are being met for the organization

* Participate, as a member of the Management Team, in defining overall SECORE goals and develop strategies to achieve them.

Administrative (5%)

* Attend events, seminars, trainings, and professional development activities as requested.

* Input all gifts and pledges into the DonorPerfect system in a timely fashion; prepare donor acknowledgements and tax documentation within 48 hours.

* Represent SECORE with the highest level of professionalism at programs, meetings, workshops, etc.

* All other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications

* Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university

* Desire to excel in the development sector and a passion for the mission-related fields of conservation and the environment.

* At least 4+ years progressive responsibility in a development field with a proven record of success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations.

* Skilled at database, analysis, and development program evaluation.

* Demonstration of leadership in building and implementing development systems and structures to support significant growth.

* Clear, concise, and persuasive verbal and written communications skills; grants writing experience.

* Highly motivated and organized self-governing worker who is able to manage the department independently.

* Strong knowledge of, and commitment to, the principles, ethics, and practices of successful fundraising.

* Excellent computer skills and proficiency in G Suite as well as MS 365; competency with electronic data records management, donor tracking and reporting systems - knowledge of DonorPerfect a plus.

* Proven ability to motivate and work with board members, staff, contract employees, donors and volunteers to meet or exceed annual fundraising goals.

* Understands the confidential nature of fundraising efforts and donor information and uphold those confidences.

* Must pass a criminal background check

Diversity Statement

SECORE believes strongly in investing in its employees to promote an open, collaborative, proactive, forward-thinking work environment. Like a coral reef, we believe SECORE thrives with diversity. SECORE strongly believes that a community of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities and cultures best prepares us to achieve our research, conservation, and restoration goals. Our strategy for implementing large scale coral restoration depends on working and partnering in many nations and across cultures. We appreciate that every person brings a unique viewpoint and experience to advance our mission, and we seek for our staff and boards to increasingly represent and encompass the diverse cultures, backgrounds, orientations, and perspectives of the communities in which we work and live. SECORE maintains that inclusion requires an ongoing commitment, one we enthusiastically make to build an organization that actively supports diversity across all lines of difference including age, economic circumstance, ethnicity, sex, race, range of ability, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression. Thus, we encourage applicants from all cultures, ethnicities, religions, ages, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, national or regional origins, military, or other status protected by law to apply.