Vice President of Philanthropy
Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. (TZMI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of "Connecting, Caring, Advocating for Wildlife, People, and Wild Places." A dynamic group of passionate individuals brings the zoo to life each day, 365 days per year, caring for animals, greeting guests, educating the public and managing the facilities. Each member of the team is integral to the success of the zoo as a key asset in the City of Tulsa and the Northeast Oklahoma region, delivering recreational opportunities, providing unplugged family time and conserving animal species for future generations.
Position Summary:
This position contributes to the overall success of the Tulsa Zoo by fostering a culture of philanthropy. This position provides strategic direction, oversight and development of the overall advancement program to ensure general operating, program and capital needs of TZMI are secured. The VP of Philanthropy is responsible for the key areas of development, community and governmental relations. The VP of Philanthropy focuses on performance excellence by identifying best practices, building measurement systems and improving operational efficiency and functionality. This position develops operational policies, procedures and plans organization-wide to enhance zoo operations.
As a member of the zoo's Senior Leadership team, the VP of Philanthropy develops strategies to ensure fundraising, community engagement and business successes are aligned with the organization's mission. Supports President/CEO and Board, guides the development and execution of the zoo's strategic and operating plans, goals and budgets, and communicates a broad vision to the organization and the community.
Essential Responsibilities:
Oversees daily operations and management of zoo within the key areas of responsibility: advancement, sponsorship development and community and governmental relations by supervising the development department.
Responsible for maintaining positive, professional, and high-quality relationships with external contacts, especially individual donors, corporations, foundations and community groups, as well as foundation and grant requests, needed reporting, and planned giving.
Annual fundraising goal for regular operations of $750,000.
Leads and directs zoo capital campaign. Responsible for fulfilling the goals of $200 million, 20+ year master plan.
Manage a portfolio of current donors and develop prospects for cultivation with the goal of attaining a specified individual annual fundraising goal.
Plans and directs both short and long-range advancement strategies and plans, including public funding initiatives. Evaluates the effect of internal and external forces on the zoo and its fund development; stays abreast of important industry trends and legislation that could impact the organization; communicates regularly to other staff to facilitate awareness of strategic opportunities and challenges in building support for zoo priorities.
Oversees Development Department and its programs including major gifts, planned giving, grants, annual giving, donor society, benefit/special events, special multi-year capital fundraising campaigns, and donor prospecting, research and recognition. Ensures legal compliance for charitable giving.
Develops various budget recommendations; controls assigned budget lines and authorizes expenditures; monitors grant budgets and grantee expenditures; assures timely and accurate reporting on funding.
Creates performance excellence by capacity building of staff, identifying best practices, building measurement systems, analyzing data and improving operational efficiency and profitability. Translates zoo goals into operational practices and holds team members accountable.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Directly supervises 1 employee. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with TZMI's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Competencies:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Understanding and appreciation for donor stewardship
Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
Proven ability to supervise and build/improve management areas
Ability to organize, plan, and prioritize
Knowledge of and connections to the philanthropic community
Knowledge of local philanthropic development in Tulsa
Leader/Developer
Forward-thinker/visionary
Integrity
Accepts accountability for personal performance and behavior
Admits and takes responsibility for correcting mistakes
Keeps confidences
Represents collective interests over personal gains
Teamwork
Able to establish and maintain effective and professional working relations with coworkers
Demonstrates willingness to be a team player
Relates well to all kinds of people, building rapport with diplomacy and tact
Shows empathy and respect towards
Stewardship and Conservation
Demonstrates good stewardship in use of time, money and materials
Respects, maintains and optimizes the use of zoo equipment and resources
Actively participates in conservation efforts, whether internal or external
Thinks ahead with actions that would affect the proper preservation and protection of animals, plants and natural ecosystems
Shows empathy and respect towards the diverse ideas and beliefs of others
Fun
Uses humor in a positive and constructive way
Promotes the organization having a positive, unique and memorable impact on guests and fellow employees
Safety and Security
Adheres to all safety regulations and policies and maintains a safe and productive workplace for animals, guests and fellow employees
Reports potentially unsafe conditions
Project Management
Develops project plans
Coordinates projects and communicates changes and progress to the team
Completes projects on time and budget
Leadership
Displays passion and optimism
Inspires respect and trust
Serves as a role model for employees, embodying TZMI's core values
Mobilizes others to fulfill the TZMI mission and vision
Effectively influences actions and opinions of others
Accepts feedback from others
Gives appropriate recognition to others.
Managing People
Delegates tasks, projects, and assignments effectively
Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement
Makes self available to staff
Provides regular performance feedback
Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth
Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
Business Acumen
Understands business implications of decisions
Displays orientation to profitability
Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition
Works within approved budget
Develops and implements cost saving measures
Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals
Adapts strategy to changing conditions
Innovation
Displays original thinking and creativity
Meets challenges with resourcefulness
Generates suggestions for improving work
Develops innovative approaches and ideas
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor's degree from accredited college or university in business, marketing, public relations, or related field; five years related experience in a leadership role in progressive non-profit and demonstrated knowledge of fundraising, advanced gift planning, capital campaigns, private/public partnerships, and annual fund and major gifts solicitations.
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries and complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex subjects to TZMI employees, top management, board of directors and public groups.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, and percentages. Ability to apply basic concepts of algebra and geometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and decimals to practical situations.
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word; Microsoft Excel; Microsoft PowerPoint or Prezi; Altru, Raiser's Edge or equivalent donor database; Internet Browser(s)- Explorer, Chrome, Safari, etc.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) preferred.
Other Skills, Abilities or Qualifications
Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable on TZMI's insurance carrier. Significant ability to develop and execute a comprehensive fund development program. Significant knowledge of current and evolving trends in solicitation, major gifts giving, planned giving and capital campaigns. Ability to establish long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such major donors, foundations and corporations. Adheres to the Donor Bill of Rights. Ability to create an environment of diversity and respect, dignity and entrepreneurial spirit while constantly promoting organization's vision, culture and mission both internally and externally. Ability to be diplomatic, able to interface with community leaders, Board, donors, members, public groups, boards of directors, constituents. Strong organizational, analytical, negotiating and time management skills. Ability to design and manage multiple projects simultaneously, setting deadlines and ensuring program accountability. Ability to create an environment of enthusiasm and excellence by communicating high expectations and fostering optimistic, positive attitudes about people and their work in the organization. Ability to experiment and cultivate the creative ideas of others, make connections between ideas, and project potential outcomes. Enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar opportunities. Ability to make strategic decisions based on analysis, wisdom, experience and judgment. Must be available to work special events that may occur outside of regular work schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position requires moderate standing; substantial walking; substantial sitting; moderate reaching with hands and arms; minimal climbing or balancing; minimal stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling; substantial talking or hearing; occasional lifting 20 to 60 pounds.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This work environment involves moderate work in outdoor weather conditions; substantial work with moderate noise level.
This is a management position
This is a full time position