Senior Director of Major Gifts

Job Description

Job Description

We’re Hiring a Senior Director of Major Gifts at Emancipet!

The Organization : Who is Emancipet?

More than a career, it’s a movement. Emancipet, the leading non-profit veterinary care provider in the United States, is on a mission to make veterinary care affordable and accessible for everyone. For the past 25+ years, we’ve been building a national network of low-cost veterinary clinics that provide low-cost, high-quality, and compassionate care in underserved communities. Our clinics have the power to transform communities into places where no one has to forego veterinary care for their pets because the cost is out of reach. You are invited to join the movement!

We are dedicated to building and supporting a diverse workforce. Emancipet is committed to applying a social justice lens to our work by evaluating and ensuring that our systems, policies, practices, language, and programs create equitable access, opportunities, engagement, and inclusivity for all people, and people from historically marginalized groups in particular. We strive to live by our values and be an organization where the culture created by our diverse staff and board advances our mission and vision, and supports organizational excellence and sustainability.

The Department : Who is Development and Marketing?

It’s not just what we do, but how we do it that makes the difference. Emancipet’s Development and Marketing Team (DevComm for short!) is made up of two teams — Development / Fundraising, and Marketing and Outreach. Together, we fundraise, engage our supporters, market our services, manage our brand, and communicate with our audiences to advance our mission.

We support Emancipet in achieving its three bottom lines—Quality Medicine, Transformative Service, and Financial Sustainability—by raising money to support our mission, engaging donors and clients to get involved and connect with us, managing our brand reputation, and communicating with our clients, donors and the communities we serve. Some of us focus on communications and brand messaging, and creatively executing our brand. Others focus on partnerships in the community to fulfill our mission. Others work with donors to support us enabling accessible, affordable veterinary care for all.

The Senior Director of Major Gifts will report to the Chief Development Officer.

The Opportunity : Tell me more about the Senior Director of Major Gifts position.

The Senior Director of Major Gifts plays a pivotal leadership role in advancing the organization’s major giving strategy to support mission-aligned growth. This position is responsible for managing a high-value portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors, while also leading and mentoring other fundraisers on the team. The successful candidate will bring a deep understanding of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and will have a track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts.

You’d be our ideal candidate if :

You enjoy a challenge and are committed to being successful

You are goal oriented and driven by a growth mindset

Donor mapping is fun for you : you enjoy the strategy and conversations that help lead you to open doors for new funding opportunities

“No” simply means “let’s re-strategize”

You have a can-do mindset and are motivated by inspiring that mindset in others

You enjoy mentoring others, and see successes as team wins

You are happy to switch from hat to hat as the day requires

In this position, you will be responsible for the following :

Portfolio Management & Fundraising

Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 75-110 major and principal gift prospects, focusing on individuals capable of making gifts of $10,000 or more.

Develop and implement customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each prospect in the portfolio.

Collaborate with leadership, board members, marketing, and program staff to develop compelling funding opportunities aligned with donor interests.

Prepare briefings, proposals, and donor communications; ensure timely and personalized follow-up.

Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals.

Team Leadership

Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer to provide on-the-ground support for other fundraisers, including strategic guidance, and coaching

Set clear individual and team goals and metrics aligned with departmental fundraising objectives.

Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

Strategic Development & Collaboration

Contribute to the development and implementation of a multi-year major gifts strategy and campaign planning.

Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, finance, programs, and executive leadership to align donor engagement with organizational priorities.

Represent the organization at events, meetings, and donor engagements as a senior ambassador.

What You Bring (and We Know No One Has It All!)

Experience : 8-10+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a focus on major gifts; at least 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role.

Proven Track Record : Demonstrated success in securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals.

Leadership Skills : Experience managing high-performing fundraising teams; ability to motivate and mentor staff.

Communication : Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; adept at making the case for philanthropic investment.

Strategic Thinking : Strong planning, organizational, and analytical skills.

Social justice mindset : we believe all people love their pets and will do what’s best for them when given the opportunity to do so. Our storytelling is not reflective of the mainstream narrative that people are doing wrong by their pets. We want to bring people in, provide educational resources, and help transform the narrative out there.

Excellent time-management skills

Occasional evening / weekend availability

Additional things that will impress us :

Experience leading and growing a planned giving program

High emotional intelligence and donor-centered approach.

Experience with Salesforce (CRM)

Knowledge of capital campaign strategies.

You Don’t Have to Check Every Box! We recognize that candidates bring diverse skills and experiences, and you may be a great fit even if you don’t check every box. If you’re passionate about our mission and confident in your ability to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation & Benefits

The Senior Director of Major Gifts position is full-time, with an annual salary range of $90,000 - $100,000 depending on experience and qualifications.

Work Location & Travel

Hybrid in Austin, Texas, with expected travel to our administrative headquarters in Austin, Texas, regional clinics, and events. Occasional travel to Houston and Philadelphia for events.

Best In Class Health Coverage for You and Your Family

Emancipet offers a comprehensive benefits package, including :

• Generous Paid Time Off – 9 paid holidays and 120 hours of PTO, increasing with tenure, with the ability to roll over 40 hours each year.
• 401(k) Plan – Company match of 50% of your contribution up to 5% of your annual pay (max company match is 2.5%).
• Health Insurance – 100% Emancipet-paid coverage for employees and their children, with zero copays, zero out-of-pocket expenses, and most common prescriptions at $0.
• Dental & Vision Insurance – 100% Emancipet-paid coverage for employees and their children.
• Telehealth – 100% Emancipet-paid telehealth for your entire household, partner / spouse and all children under 26, regardless of insurance status. This provides $0 visits for urgent care, mental and behavioral health care, pharmacy, and health advocacy services.
• Life AD&D Insurance – 100% Emancipet-paid employee coverage, including estate planning service, travel assistance, and identity theft protection.
• Voluntary Benefits – Additional coverage options, including accident, cancer, supplemental life, short- and long-term disability, and more.
• Support for Your Pets - $324 per year in free services or products through Emancipet.

Deadline and How to Apply

This position will remain open until filled. To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter detailing why you're a great fit for this role via our website : https : / / emancipet.org / careers /

Please be sure to communicate your major gifts leaderships experience.

Emancipet is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Emancipet is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. Emancipet complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every Emancipet location.

Emancipet strongly supports and values the uniqueness of all individuals. We are intentional in creating a diverse staff and leadership team and work to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all employees. You belong here!