Job Summary
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director, Major Gifts to manage and grow a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, with a primary focus on New York City and the broader Tri-State region.
This frontline fundraising role will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of making significant philanthropic commitments in support of WHOI’s mission. The Development Director will work closely with Advancement colleagues, institutional leadership, scientists, engineers, volunteers, and donors to build meaningful philanthropic partnerships that advance ocean science, technology innovation, education, and solutions for a changing planet.
WHOI is currently in the public phase of a historic $500 million comprehensive campaign, the largest fundraising campaign in the history of ocean science. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced major gifts fundraiser to help expand WHOI’s donor base, deepen engagement in a key philanthropic market, and secure transformational support for one of the world’s leading ocean research institutions.
The successful candidate will be based within driving distance of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and will be expected to be onsite regularly. This role also requires travel to the New York/Tri-State region approximately twice per month for donor meetings, events, and related activities, with additional seasonal travel to Florida and other donor markets as needed.
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Application Instructions: Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest in WHOI and how your experience, skills, and approach to major gifts fundraising would position you for success in this role.
Job Description
Essential Functions & Duties
Major Gift Fundraising & Portfolio Management
- Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 125-150 major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey, the Hamptons, and select seasonal markets.
- Cultivate, solicit , and steward donors capable of making five-, six-, and seven-figure philanthropic commitments.
- Develop and execute individualized donor strategies that align prospect interests with WHOI’s institutional priorities and campaign objectives .
- Meet or exceed annual goals for fundraising, donor visits, qualifications, solicitations, stewardship, and portfolio management.
- Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through proactive outreach, relationship building, volunteer engagement, and strategic prospect development.
- Prepare compelling donor communications, proposals, briefings, and stewardship materials for sophisticated philanthropic audiences.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor activity, strategy, and next steps within WHOI’s constituent relationship management system.
Donor Engagement & Regional Strategy
- Serve as a key Advancement representative for WHOI in the New York and broader Tri-State philanthropic communities.
- Serve as the primary development liaison to WHOI’s New York Chapter and its volunteer Steering Committee, building strong and productive relationships with volunteer leaders.
- Partner with senior leadership, scientists, engineers, and volunteers to design and execute effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
- Coordinate meaningful donor engagement opportunities, including individual meetings, small gatherings, institutional events, campaign activities, and mission-focused experiences.
- Represent WHOI at donor events, regional programs, institutional functions, and other Advancement activities.
Institutional Collaboration & Partnership
- Collaborate across the Advancement team to ensure donor strategies are coordinated, thoughtful, and aligned with institutional priorities.
- Partner with Development Events, Advancement Operations, Donor Engagement, and Communications colleagues to support high-quality donor experiences.
- Use donor insights, prospect research, demographic data, and relationship intelligence to strengthen fundraising strategy and outcomes.
- Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing Advancement culture focused on excellence, accountability, innovation, and shared success.
Required Experience & Education
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible frontline major gifts fundraising experience, preferably within higher education, science, research, healthcare, cultural, environmental, or other mission-driven nonprofit settings.
- Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting , and closing five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts from individual donors.
- Experience managing a major gift portfolio and using moves management practices to advance donor relationships. Strong understanding of sophisticated philanthropic environments; experience working in or with New York philanthropic networks is strongly preferred.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage, inspire, and influence donors, volunteers, institutional leaders, faculty/scientists, and colleagues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling donor-centered messaging.
- Strong strategic thinking, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively.
- High degree of professionalism, discretion, emotional intelligence, and sound judgment, particularly when working with confidential donor information.
- Experience using CRM systems, preferably Raiser’s Edge/NXT, and proficiency with Microsoft 365.
- Passion for WHOI’s mission and the ability to communicate the urgency, relevance, and impact of ocean science to philanthropic audiences.
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly, including to the New York/Tri-State region approximately twice per month, and to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
Additional Job Requirements
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
WHOI accepts applications on a rolling basis - applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure full consideration. While we will continue to review applications until the position is filled, and early applicants may have an advantage in the selection process.
EEO Statement
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
