Associate Advancement Director, West

📋 Description

• • Own and grow a portfolio of 100–150 high-net-worth donors and family foundations across the Western United States, moving each relationship from identification to six-figure commitments that fuel Sierra Club’s climate-justice campaigns.
• • Design and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for every prospect, using a mix of in-person visits (30–40 % travel when safe), video calls, curated events, and bespoke written proposals that tie each donor’s passions to measurable conservation and equity outcomes.
• • Close five- and six-figure gifts ($25 k+) at a pace that contributes materially to the $65 million annual major-gifts goal; track pledges, pipeline stages, and revenue forecasts in Salesforce to deliver accurate projections to senior leadership and finance.
• • Partner with program, chapter, and campaign teams to translate complex policy victories—such as stopping new fossil-fuel infrastructure or securing permanent protections for public lands—into compelling donor narratives that show tangible impact on climate, biodiversity, and frontline communities.
• • Co-create an annual regional advancement budget with the Sr. Managing Director, Major Gifts; monitor expenses, ROI, and cost-per-dollar-raised metrics to ensure resources are deployed for maximum philanthropic leverage.
• • Serve as the primary relationship quarterback for executive leadership, board members, and celebrity ambassadors, preparing briefings, talking points, and stewardship touchpoints that deepen their engagement and unlock additional giving.
• • Plan and lead high-touch donor events—from intimate wilderness hikes with scientists to salon-style briefings in urban centers—ensuring flawless logistics, inclusive storytelling, and follow-up systems that convert attendees into long-term investors.
• • Continuously refresh your knowledge of emerging environmental science, federal and state policy landscapes, and Sierra Club’s strategic plan so you can speak with authority on topics ranging from environmental-justice mapping to 30x30 conservation targets.
• • Champion Sierra Club’s commitment to anti-racism and equity by embedding justice-centered language in proposals, centering BIPOC and frontline voices in donor communications, and mentoring junior staff from historically excluded communities.
• • Identify and qualify new prospects through collaboration with prospect research, digital acquisition, and peer referrals; build a robust pipeline that balances immediate revenue needs with long-term transformational gifts.
• • Leverage data analytics to segment donors by affinity, capacity, and engagement history, tailoring outreach cadence and messaging to optimize response rates and upgrade paths.
• • Maintain meticulous CRM hygiene—recording every interaction, next step, and stewardship plan in real time—so the advancement team can operate from a single source of truth and deliver seamless donor experiences.
• • Contribute to cross-functional innovation by piloting new giving vehicles such as donor-advised fund rapid-response grants, impact-investment partnerships, and blended gifts that combine annual and planned giving.
• • Model Sierra Club’s values of collaboration, curiosity, and constructive problem-solving, bringing a sense of humor and resilience to a mission-driven culture that celebrates both wins and learning moments.