Director, Major Gifts - West

Who We Are

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting‑edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

• Manage a regional portfolio of high‑capacity donors and prospects, with a focus on securing six‑ and seven‑figure transformational gifts that align with organizational priorities.
• Build and strengthen the portfolio proactively through strategic research, attendance at key events, and collaboration with colleagues and volunteers to identify and engage new prospects.
• Drive donor acquisition and long‑term pipeline growth, leveraging internal partnerships and the Prospect Research team to expand and diversify the major gifts portfolio—recognizing acquisition as a critical component of sustainable revenue growth.
• Stay current on the organization’s national and global funding opportunities and priorities to ensure informed, relevant, and strategic donor engagement.
• Support and execute the collective responsibility for national fundraising campaigns, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and contributing to shared revenue targets.
• Oversee all stages of the donor lifecycle—from identification through stewardship—ensuring meaningful and strategic engagement throughout.
• Partner cross‑functionally with regional staff, internal key stakeholders, and volunteers to identify, cultivate, and advance relationships with new and existing major gift prospects.
• Participate in regular portfolio reviews to refine strategy and maximize donor potential, with a focus on growth and high‑impact engagement.
• Collaborate with leadership and key internal stakeholders to craft compelling cases for support and develop tailored proposals in partnership with Donor Relations that inspire transformational giving.
• Align cross‑functionally within Development to create a cohesive donor experience and facilitate major gift upgrades.
• Implement strategic stewardship plans in partnership with Donor Relations to retain donors, deepen engagement, and increase long‑term investment.
• Provide fundraising insights and contribute to revenue forecasting, collaborating with the Individual Giving team and aligning efforts with national priorities.
• Utilize CRM and additional tools effectively for timely and accurate data management, ensuring adherence to organizational KPIs for accountability and performance evaluation.

• Demonstrated and relevant fundraising experience with advanced understanding of prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Record of leadership and accomplishment in fundraising, including pipeline development, acquisition planning, and cross‑functional revenue generation.
• Able to assess staff talent, mentor, and train others toward a shared vision, providing strategic guidance to ensure staff meet their designated revenue and activity goals.
• Proven ability to support broad and technical fundraising campaigns, collaborating effectively with staff and volunteers to secure major and principal gifts.
• Extensive nonprofit experience with increasing leadership responsibility, successfully driving 6‑7 figure gifts.
• Track record of implementing innovative fundraising strategies that drive engagement and revenue growth.
• Strong ability to perform under pressure, handle criticism professionally, and consistently meet fundraising commitments.
• Exceptional project management, strategic planning, and negotiation skills to drive effective resource allocation and optimize fundraising outcomes.
• Advanced CRM expertise, leveraging data analytics to drive decision‑making and implement…