The Director of Major Gifts is a frontline fundraising leader responsible for driving significant philanthropic revenue in support of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Wilds, and the Columbus Center for Wildlife Conservation. This role provides leadership to the Major Gifts team while also managing a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects. The Director will play a key role in advancing the organization’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, building long-term donor relationships, and securing major and principal gifts to fund capital projects, programmatic initiatives, conservation work, and endowment growth.

The ideal candidate is both a strategic team leader and an accomplished fundraiser—someone who can coach and support staff, develop effective donor strategies, and personally close transformational gifts.

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise, coach, and support a team of Major Gift Officers, providing guidance on portfolio strategy, donor engagement, and solicitation planning.
• Lead consistent team check-ins, pipeline reviews, and performance evaluations to ensure accountability and professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, donor-centered culture of philanthropy across the department and institution.

Major & Principal Gift Fundraising

• Maintain a personal portfolio of 100–150 major donors and prospects with the capacity to give $100,000 or more.
• Lead the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts of $100,000+, working closely with organizational leadership and campaign volunteers.
• Responsible for securing a minimum of $1 million annually through strategic fundraising efforts conducted within personal major giving portfolio.
• Develop personalized engagement strategies to deepen donor relationships and align their passions with institutional priorities.
• Achieve or exceed individual and team-based fundraising goals through strategic donor engagement, solicitation, and stewardship efforts. Performance is evaluated based on portfolio activity, donor outcomes, and revenue generation.

Campaign Strategy & Execution Campaign Strategy & Execution

• Participate in campaign donor strategy discussions with Zoo leadership and consultants, helping to build strategy, prospect assignments, and campaign messaging.
• Collaborate on campaign planning, donor communications, and campaign committee engagement.
• Prepare donor briefings and materials for senior leaders involved in solicitation activity.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Lead and participate in high-impact donor experiences, such as private tours, cultivation and stewardship events.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of all donor interactions within the organization’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT. Coordinate with the stewardship manager to deliver thoughtful, customized donor recognition.

Institutional Collaboration

• Partner with teams across the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks—including but not limited to Animal Care, Education, Conservation, Marketing, Communications, and Events—to bring mission-driven stories to donors.
• Represent the External Affairs team at internal meetings and cross-departmental planning efforts.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) preferred. A minimum of 8 years of directly relevant professional experience may substitute for a degree.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive fundraising experience, including at least 2 years of experience managing a small team.
• Demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts, with knowledge of moves management and campaign strategy.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working within a complex organization or nonprofit campaign environment is preferred.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends and travel between the Zoo and The Wilds as needed.
• Passion for wildlife conservation, education, and the mission of the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks, Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.

Other Requirements

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information and correspondence required.
• Ability to provide excellent guest service by positively interacting with guests and upholding the guest service standards required.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with all CZFP team members and contacts regarding company business required.
• Ability to adhere to standard operating procedures including but not limited to safety protocols required.
• Possession of a valid state issued motor vehicle operator’s license and a good driving record required.
• Ability to adhere to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s drug-free workplace policy including but not limited to pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion and follow-up treatment required.
• Proof of negative TB screening prior to placement and annually thereafter required.
• Ability to successfully complete a criminal history background check annually required.

Work Environment and Culture:

This is an exciting time at the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds, as we inspire a new generation of conservation champions and secure vital resources for the future. The Director of Major Gifts will be part of a dynamic External Affairs team that values innovation, collaboration, and impact.