Geographic Explorer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

How You'll Contribute

The Advancement team cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, as well as foundation, government and corporate partners who invest in the Society to drive impact through science, technology, education, exploration, and storytelling. The team collaborates with Society teams to build transformative and impact-driven strategic partnerships. The team also produces global events that deepen connections and leverage the Society's power to convene, and directs robust annual, major and planned giving programs empowering the Society with a broad base of public support.
The Planned Giving Officer (PGO) reports to the Senior Director, Planned Giving and is responsible for planned giving prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and closure of gifts. The PGO personally manages a strategic portfolio of committed and prospective planned giving donors in a selected territory representing approximately one third of the United States. The PGO will respond in a timely manner to requests for information through our comprehensive marketing plan that generates inquiries by phone, mail, and email. The PGO is also responsible for the stewardship of legacy donors based on their selected territory.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Planned Giving Fundraising (75%)

• Manage a portfolio of Planned Giving donors and prospects to secure philanthropic support for NGS activities and initiatives, including traveling frequently to cultivate donors and prospects in person to build these relationships and raising at least $3.75M in commitments in year one.

• Respond and manage long-term follow up with planned giving marketing inquiries on planned giving vehicles including bequests, life income gifts, and non-cash assets.

• Prepare proposals, tailored correspondence, and other materials for planned and blended gifts, making them clear and persuasive for donors and advisors.

• Conduct a minimum of 70 purposeful donor visits in year one (virtual or in-person) including discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings, solo or in collaboration with major and principal gifts.

Donor Stewardship (15%)

• Lead stewardship efforts to keep legacy donors engaged and recognized for their contributions, including stewardship and cultivation activities for members of the Alexander Graham Bell Legacy Society.

• Participate in donor events as a representative of the National Geographic Society.

Strategic Collaboration and Administration (10%)

• Provide input to planned gift marketing materials and strategies, including: providing key educational messages, identifying target audiences, and selecting donors to be featured.

• Work closely with the Senior Director, Planned Giving and Leadership Giving to integrate planned giving into the wider fundraising strategy and provide technical assistance to fundraisers to increase capacity to solicit planned gifts and gifts of noncash assets.

• Track all activities including contact reports in Raiser's Edge database for accuracy and completion.

• Stay up to date on trends, best practices, and legal considerations in planned giving and philanthropy.

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with National Geographic legal and finance staff, program staff, communications and marketing staff, and others to acquire the information needed to solicit and close gifts and build donor relationships effectively.

• Perform additional responsibilities, special projects, and assignments as required to support departmental goals and institutional priorities.

What You'll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor's degree preferred.

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

7+ years of relevant work experience, preferably in a nonprofit development / fundraising setting.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of planned giving vehicles and associated tax and estate planning issues, including gifts through wills, revocable trusts, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, beneficiary designation, securities, donor-advised funds, and others.

• Demonstrated success in securing planned and outright gifts within a nonprofit environment, including experience managing larger or complex gift situations and blended gifts.

• Proficiency in PG Calc gift planning software to develop charitable gift annuity illustrations and contracts.

• Strong project-management and organization skills.

• Self-motivated and capable of working proactively and independently.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. Creative thinking, writing, editing and proofreading skills.

• Database experience and ability with CRM systems such as Raiser's Edge.

• Understanding and appreciation of NGS mission and capacity to project aims and values of NGS to donors and prospects.

• Willingness to travel throughout your region on a frequent basis.

• Exceptional communication skills (written/verbal), sound judgment and professional demeanor when interacting with senior executives, high net worth individuals, and donors, including an older population.

• Ability to maintain high standards of confidentiality.

Supervision

No Direct Reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $123,500.00 - $130,000.00.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.