Header

Major Gifts Officer, Asia Pacific

Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, we develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.

We are non-governmental, non-religious and work with many local NGOs and community based organizations to implement our programs. We currently work in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia – countries with a desperate lack of resources to educate their children. Since our inception, Room to Read’s worldwide team has impacted over 5 million children by constructing more than 1,400 schools, establishing over 11,000 libraries, publishing 550 new children’s book titles in 22 local languages, and putting over 10,000 girls onto long-term, holistic scholarships.

Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$38 million and our global staff numbers over 420. Our global headquarters is located in San Francisco, and we have smaller fundraising offices in Delhi, New York, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, Sydney, and Tokyo. We have an Asia Regional Office located in New Delhi, a Southern Africa Regional Office in Pretoria, and program offices in Colombo, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and we are setting up operations and hiring staff for a new office in Tanzania.

Position Overview:

Room to Read seeks to hire a Major Gifts Officer in Asia Pacific to work in our Hong Kong Office. This position will report to the Development Director, Asia Pacific and will play an integral role in the implementation of Room to Read’s fundraising in Hong Kong and Singapore, focusing on the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors and prospects. Hong Kong and Singapore are some of our fastest growing fundraising markets and we are looking for a dynamic, personable, results-oriented person to help continue to grow our success. You must be a self-motivated team player who is committed to our cause and have a track record of delivering results.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Manage relationships with individuals and smaller corporate partners and take the lead on new fundraising opportunities, generating US $1.5 - $2MM per annum.
  • Manage a portfolio of 150 prospects and donors in the region making gifts at the $10,000+ level.
  • Build long-term relationships with donors and prospects, identifying, cultivating and stewarding their interests.
  • Using sound fundraising principles, develop long-term cultivation and stewardship strategies that utilize the expertise of key Room to Read staff and leadership in deepening donors’ commitment to the organization.
  • Utilize the Raiser’s Edge database and Room to Read’s Global Programs Database to actively manage donor stewardship and tracking.
  • Support the work of the Development Director to build relationships with corporations and foundations.
  • Work with Room to Read’s global fundraising team to prepare donor communication materials, including concept papers, proposals, donor updates and mailings, and additional materials as needed.
  • Stay current with organizational strategies and program details and plans in order to recommend potential funding opportunities to donors.
  • Represent Room to Read at fundraising and awareness-building events and in donor cultivation meetings.
  • As needed, work with the Senior Development Associate for Chapters & Volunteers to support the work of the Hong Kong and Singapore Volunteer Chapters in their efforts to create awareness and fundraising opportunities.
  • Maintain effective and productive relationships both internally and externally.
  • Undertake other duties as necessary.

Qualifications:

Required:
  • Bachelors Degree
  • At least 7-10 years of relevant work experience, ideally in fundraising or a similar skilled position
  • Proven ability to work successfully in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects and priorities
  • Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people
  • Strong work ethic, results and detail oriented
  • Ability to be flexible and proactively problem solve
  • Ability to successfully work independently and collaboratively with a team
  • Effectiveness in working or volunteering in a non-profit organisation that is focused on maintaining high quality work and low overhead
  • Ability and desire to travel as needed
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
  • Adept at using MS Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint, database systems and communicating over email
  • Legally eligible to work in Hong Kong; no sponsorship provided
Preferred
  • Previous experience using Raiser’s Edge or other fundraising database
  • Proven experience of achieving fundraising results, including successful relationship management, and income generation
  • Fundraising experience in a fast paced, growth oriented organization; candidates with applicable skills and experience from the private sector may be considered
To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also:
  • Have a passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic non-profit organisation
  • Be an innovative and creative thinker; you’re not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so
  • Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
  • Have a strong work ethic and require minimal direction
  • Work well independently as well as part of a team
  • Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment

Compensation:

Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. Benefits include health, dental, vision, long-term disability insurance, commuter benefits, and a 401K match. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through literacy and gender equality in education.

Application Procedure:

Please send a cover letter and CV by email, with “MGO HK” in the subject line, (no letters, calls, faxes, or drop-ins) to hiring@roomtoread.org. Applications accepted until the position is filled. Due to high applicant volume we regret that we can not personally respond to all applicants.

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing
the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.