Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Through science-based, campaign-driven policy work, Oceana protects and restores the world's oceans, with offices across the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and headquarters in Washington, DC.
Oceana is seeking a Senior Director, Major Gifts and Individual Giving to build and lead the organization's major-gifts team, including Planned Giving. The role is a senior member of Oceana's Global Development team, reporting to the Vice President, Global Development. This is a newly created role and a rare opportunity to shape and build out the major gifts program. The position will start without direct reports, with plans to add Major Gifts Officers over time. Location: Washington, DC (hybrid, in office Tuesday to Thursday). Salary range: $175,000 to $185,000 annually.
Key responsibilities:
- Build, lead and develop a major-gifts team; set portfolio assignments, revenue targets and moves-management standards
- Recruit, hire, coach and evaluate team members
- Own forecasting, pipeline reporting and revenue accountability for the full major-gifts program
- Personally identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of approximately 50 to 75 of Oceana's most significant individual donors and prospects, with a focus on continuity of principal-level ($100,000+) relationships
- Prepare and deliver individualized solicitations, moves-management plans and impact reports
- Represent Oceana at donor meetings, cultivation events, galas and speaking engagements
- Partner with the VP, Global Development on a multi-year major-gifts growth strategy and annual revenue goals
- Collaborate with Communications, Program and Legal teams on donor-facing materials and proposals
- Maintain accurate donor records in Salesforce and monitor portfolio and program metrics
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or equivalent professional training a plus
- 12+ years of progressive major-gifts fundraising experience, including 3 to 5 years managing or supervising fundraising staff
- Demonstrated success personally securing six- and seven-figure gifts and leading a team toward multi-million-dollar annual goals
- Experience managing complex donor-relationship transitions with principal-level donors
- Background in fundraising for a large, complex nonprofit with a sophisticated donor base
- Superior written and verbal communication skills; people-management skills
- Working knowledge of planned-giving concepts
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Salesforce
- Knowledge of environmental issues and the non-profit community, and enthusiasm for Oceana's mission
- Willingness to travel and work outside normal business hours as needed
Please apply by November 11, 2026.
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online via the Oceana careers page (ADP Workforce Now) by November 11, 2026.
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=c636b4b1-9b8d-4e27-a0d2-6cdea1e0fdc6&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US&selectedMenuKey=CurrentOpenings&jobId=592154