Individual Giving Lead

ABOUT US

Wags & Walks is a 501c3 nonprofit dog rescue in Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York that's rescued nearly 16,000 dogs since 2011. We are a community of dog lovers working to promote shelter dogs as the best dogs in the world through advocacy of our unique family-friendly foster and adoption programs.

SUMMARY

The Individual Giving Lead is joining Wags at a crucial period as it transitions into a new CRM and looks for the right person to execute strategic initiatives while also maintaining and building lasting relationships in their own donor portfolio. This role will work closely with the VP of Strategic Development and the Executive Directors in both Los Angeles and Nashville. The organization seeks a self-starter that's comfortable ultimately being responsible for developing touch points and asks for different supporter types. To execute the touch points effectively, the role will need to align with the cadence and messaging already in place as they collaborate to grow the organization's connectivity to the community. 

The Individual Giving Lead has a solid foundation to work from as the organization is fortunate to have dedicated teams in all locations building meaningful relationships with their volunteer, adopter, and foster networks. 

Success in this role is contingent upon one's ability to connect with stakeholders at all levels while always thinking about creative ways to build long term relationships. The ideal candidate is passionate about rescue dogs and can find joy in the direct impact their fundraising efforts have on the organization's growth.This is truly a unique opportunity for someone who aligns with the organization's mission and has fundraising and/or sales experience, including process building, to get in at a time when they can make a meaningful difference.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Joins the team prepared to hit the ground running to form new individual donor relationships. Understands that while the organization has built an amazing base, there's no playbook and it's on this individual to constantly be taking initiative.

• Works with the VP of Strategic Development and Executive Directors to identify a portfolio, along with KPIs, that consists of 150 existing Los Angeles based donors. 

• Works with the VP of Strategic Development and Executive Directors to identify goals around adding an additional 50 new donors to the portfolio.

• Hits quarterly revenue goals for the two portfolio segments highlighted above.

• While the donors are Los Angeles based, this role will check in with the Nashville Executive Director regularly to share strategies that can be replicated in Nashville while also getting organizational guidance.

• Goes on a deep dive of all the organization's external touch points and maps them out as they build internal relationships with relevant department leads. 

• Jumps into learning the organization's new CRM platform (Virtuous) with the goal of becoming the organization's power user within 45 days of starting.

• Builds out a roadmap for maximizing Virtuous within the first 90 days of starting. *This may adjust based on the team member's start date and what the organization has built out before hire.

• Maximizing Virtuous to its full potential includes collaborating with the relevant teams to build out touch points such as:

1. Seamless relationship building with foster, adopter, and volunteer applicants with a strong giving history
2. Supporting the Adoptions team on an automated post adoption flow build out
3. Understanding individual giving impact as it relates to email campaigns through Virtuous 

• Serves as the project manager for the organization's large annual auction. This includes cold outreach to procure items, working with interested volunteers and organizing the efforts of the Development Coordinators on the logistics involved with uploading and redemption.

• Works with the VP of Strategic Development and the Executive Director to set campaign specific goals. Main campaigns include: Giving Tuesday, Gala, Neighborhood Social.

• Attends relevant on / off site events to support the development team and build relationships. Ensuring that deliverables are meeting donor expectations is crucial. 

• At least three on site weekend days per month are required to help to develop relationships with new adopters.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have a college degree
• Must have a proven track record of building relationships that lead directly to donations.
• Must have experience in a fast paced environment.
• 2-5+ years of fundraising / individual giving experience
• Experience planning and working with donors into a large scale event is preferred
• Non-profit experience is preferred but not required.
• Startup experience preferred but not required. 
• Comfortable with a consistent commute to West LA 4 days a week (1 remote day available after training period). At least 3 weekend on site days per month.
• Flexible schedule that allows for support as needed (while also finding time to disconnect and enjoy time with your pup)
• Limited travel to Nashville / New York once or twice a year 

QUALITIES

• Must be a dog lover
• Comfortable talking to anyone in an appropriate and goal oriented manner
• A knack for reading the room
• Not afraid of the ask
• Comfortable building the tools that can help execute the game plan while also executing the game plan
• Problem solver and quick thinker
• Excellent communication skills
• Analytical and results driven
• A team player who works well with others
• Friendly demeanor and positive attitude
• Enjoys working in a fast paced and dynamic environment
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Is very detail oriented
• Is very proactive and a self-starter

BENEFITS

• Join a passionate team in a rewarding field
• Plenty of quality time with amazing rescue dogs
• Strong health, dental, and vision benefits
• PTO that increases every year
• Snacks, drinks, and monthly team lunches

Compensation for this role starts between $70,000 - $75,000 per year