Senior Manager, Major Gifts (Independent Contractor)

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Major Gifts (Independent Contractor) will play a pivotal role in advancing the Ad Council’s mission by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and private foundations. This strategic fundraising professional will focus on securing significant philanthropic support to drive the organization’s national campaigns and initiatives. The ideal candidate is a dynamic relationship-builder with a proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts. Through high-touch stewardship and strategic cultivation plans, the Senior Manager, Major Gifts will help create a sustainable pipeline of major gift opportunities to ensure the Ad Council’s continued success, growth, and impact.

Compensation & Engagement

The Ad Council is seeking an experienced independent contractor to work on a contract basis. We presently anticipate the scope and length of the engagement to be approximately 35 hours per week through the end of the 2025 calendar year, with the possibility of extending the contract. The compensation for this position is within the range of $9,500 – $10,500 per month. The independent contractor will receive a 1099 for tax reporting purposes. This is a fully remote position.

What you’ll do:

Portfolio Management:

• Develop and manage a portfolio of high-net-worth donors, family offices, and private foundations capable of making six- and seven-figure contributions.
• Create tailored cultivation and stewardship plans to deepen donor relationships.

Fundraising Strategy:

• Collaborate with the Managing Director and philanthropic investment team to create strategies for major gift cultivation and solicitation.
• Partner with internal teams to align donor interests with the Ad Council’s mission and initiatives.

Donor Engagement:

• Conduct high-impact donor meetings, presentations, and events to engage prospects and existing donors.
• Leverage existing relationships and proactively identify new major gift prospects to build a robust pipeline.

Stewardship:

• Ensure high-touch, personalized stewardship to recognize donors’ contributions and demonstrate their impact.
• Develop regular communication and reports tailored to major donors.

Collaboration and Reporting:

• Work closely with the Managing Director of philanthropic investment, board members, and senior staff to maximize opportunities for major gift fundraising.
• Track all activities and donor interactions in the CRM system (e.g. Salesforce).
• Prepare fundraising reports and contribute to the annual strategic philanthropy plan.

What you bring:

• 5+ years of experience in major gift fundraising, with a proven track record of securing gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Experience with philanthropic giving trends and practices among high-net-worth donors and family offices.
• Demonstrated success working with high-net-worth individuals and family offices.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas effectively.
• Strong relationship-building and networking abilities.
• Familiarity with donor databases and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce).
• Ability to travel 20% - 30%
• Passion for the Ad Council’s mission and commitment to social impact.

Qualities of a standout candidate:

• Knowledge of the advertising and media industries