Senior Development Officer

Are you mission-driven and interested in working to support animal welfare? The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), one of New England’s leading animal welfare organizations, is seeking a full-time Senior Development Officer to join our organization. This position is based out of our Dedham location.

Who we are: Pets are family. This belief is at the heart of everything we do at the Animal Rescue League of Boston. We are the first female-founded animal welfare organization in Massachusetts and are proud to carry on a legacy of kindness and compassion, helping more than 20,000 animals annually since 1899. Recognized for our innovative, award-winning programs that go beyond sheltering, we address the root causes of the issues facing animals and the people who love them. By partnering with communities, we help animals heal and thrive, keep pets and people together, and protect animals from harm.  

Summary: The Senior Development Officer (SDO) works in close collaboration with the Vice President of Development to drive our major gifts program, by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts ($5,000 - $500,000+).

This full-time, exempt position will serve as frontline fundraiser with a substantial portfolio and manage
a team of two Development Officers. The SDO will implement and manage a comprehensive fundraising
plan for five- and six-figure gifts, including effective, creative, and uniquely-tailored strategies designed
to interest, engage, and secure a wide range of key prospects to meet and exceed fundraising goals.

Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Management:
• Manage major gifts campaign strategies including donor pipeline development, engagement,
solicitation, and gift closure, to guide the work of the major gifts team while ensuring the
direction of the major gifts program aligns with organizational goals.
• Manage and mentor the major gifts team by providing strong leadership, support, and guidance
in fundraising strategies, donor communications, and partnering on solicitation visits. Set team
and individual goals and expectations of accountability, and provide regular feedback and
coaching.
• Provide regular reports on major gifts performance, progress towards financial targets, and
work advancing donors through the pipeline from annual fund to major gifts. 

Fundraising:
• Manage a personal portfolio of approximately 125 major gifts prospects, developing strong
relationships and moving donors through the gift cycle, from identification to gift closure.
• Partner with the capital campaign steering committee, President & CEO, and Vice President of
Development to solicit and close gifts for the second phase of the Foundation for the Future
campaign.

Other Responsibilities:
• Manage an ongoing schedule of events designed to drive engagement with major donors in
specific geographic locations.
• Develop effective communication strategies to engage major donors on a consistent and ongoing basis.
• Collaborate effectively with the entire Development department, senior management, board
members, and key leadership volunteers to create an environment that fosters and encourages
transformative gifts. 

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.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5 years of related major gift work experience required, with an established track record in
frontline fundraising. Previous campaign experience and direct involvement with solicitations at
the $15K to $100K+ gift level.
• Thorough, organized, and creative approach to major gifts work.
• A metrics-driven, entrepreneurial mindset that informs strategy and work.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build strong relationships, and adapt to the needs of a diverse
group of individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Strong time and project management skills with an ability to manage multiple high-level projects
simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and successfully utilize volunteers in achieving fundraising goals.
• Collaborative team player with ability to partner and work closely with high-level decision
makers, board members, and other top-level volunteers as well as other internal and external
constituents.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and CRM databases
• High degree of confidentiality and the ability to handle complex situations with diplomacy and
discretion.
• Ability and flexibility to travel to program locations in Boston, Dedham and Brewster and other
locations throughout Massachusetts in personal vehicle.

Additional Information:
Schedule is 5 eight-hours days, Monday through Friday. Some evenings and weekends are required for
meetings and special events.

Our EEO Policy:
ARL is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration
for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender,
gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual
orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic
protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the
Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a
modification (or modifications) to a position and/or to the hiring process which will allow the individual
to perform all of the essential functions of that position and/or complete the application process
without imposing undue hardship on ARL. Please inform the ARL’s recruitment team if you need an
accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.