Fundraising Support Specialist
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 have an exciting opportunity to join our national Development team as a Fundraising Support Specialist.
The Fundraising Support Center (FSC) department provides direct concierge service to hundreds of thousands of special event participants and donors responsible for generating the majority of National MS Society revenue.
The Fundraising Support Specialist provides reactive and proactive support for participants and donors for hundreds of events, and helps manage the Fundraising Support Center's daily work. This position supports two Fundraising Support Managers in the following areas: delegating work to other staff, various quality assurance activities, training and coaching new hires and seasonal staff, managing workflow, and ensuring team maintains service level standards.
In addition, the The Fundraising Support Specialist has a variety of operational responsibilities (including but not limited to): developing and maintaining training tools, working with market liaisons to ensure up-to-date reference information, coaching staff outside of the Fundraising Support Center on how to best work with the FSC, researching and testing new tools or processes, and other areas as needed.
The Fundraising Support Specialist is expected to continually learn and apply new information and skills as the Fundraising Support Center grows.
Essential Function/Responsibility
1. Deliver inbound and outbound concierge service and resolve problems for fundraising event participants and donors for events nationwide
- Learn and apply new information continuously -- maintain "expert level" knowledge in an consistently changing environment:
- Maintain up-to-date skills in relevant software, internet applications, Society websites, online tools and databases such as Luminate Online and the Data Warehouse caging vendor systems, external web browsers, mobile apps, social media platforms, etc.
- Maintain up-to-date understanding of event details and market-specific processes/policies in order to provide accurate service to constituents from hundreds of events across the country
- Resolve problems and deliver information related to fundraising, online tools, and registration:
- Provide information about events, requirements and policies, how to fundraise with available tools, how to navigate website and Participant Center, donation processes, etc.
- Help participants register, start teams, or make changes to existing registrations
- Perform "money moves" to reallocate funds as needed/requested
- Collaborate with Finance and Constituent Information Management staff to investigate and determine solutions for discrepancies related to online and offline gifts
- Troubleshoot technical issues and work with Application Support Team to determine solutions or workarounds
- Support the Society's key revenue drivers by strategically providing event participants with specific tools and resources
- Maintain understanding of resources available for people touched by MS and refer questions or those needing assistance to the MS Navigator Team
- Build and maintain positive and productive relationships with colleagues in the field and other centralized departments across the country, to ensure smooth flow of information to solve constituent requests
- Coach other Society staff as needed on best practices for interacting with the Fundraising Support Center to ensure optimal service for constituents
2. Support Day-to-Day Management of FSC Workflow and Service Delivery
- Provide back-up support to FSC Managers as needed:
- Triage incoming email, phone and voicemail to FSC staff (FTE and seasonal) when Managers are unavailable
- Maintain awareness of each team member's individual workload, needs, and strengths to effectively manage workflow for success
- Provide guidance or redistribute work among team as needed to maintain service goals
- Provide patient, consistent training and guidance to new hires and seasonal staff
- Coordinate with FSC Managers to ensure a Manager or Specialist is available to answer questions and provide coaching for a team of up to 24 staff members during operating hours
- Monitor call center software and whether FSC staff are following phone queue schedule standards
- Perform several weekly quality assurance checks on FSC Coordinators and FSC Assistants:
- Review staff email correspondence
- Utilize "Service Observe" to listen to calls and rate staff performance, provide feedback and training as needed
- Provide QA notes to Managers and/or meet with individual staff to deliver feedback as needed
- Update and execute comprehensive, multi-stage, seasonal staff training program yearly:
- Train new hires, including seasonal staff each year
- Make note of updates needed to training plan/materials throughout the year
- Evaluate training program in mid-fall with Director and Managers
- Create and/or adapt training program components yearly and as needed between update cycles
3. Support FSC Operations and Growth
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Society's strategic plan and fundraising strategy
- Maintain understanding of Society operations and structure
- Assist in Fundraising Support Center growth and development:
- Participate in regular meetings with FSC lead, FSC staff, and cross functional staff to ensure coordination between departments
- Test and implement new functions as FSC scope expands
- Serve as ongoing point of contact for chapter liaisons and other field staff, delivering information about FSC scope and operations, coaching on best practices, etc.
- Support FSC reporting:
- Monitor FSC staff members' use of tools and coach as needed
- Help compile FSC mid-year and full-year reports
- Work with other FSC leadership and reporting team to consistently improve tools and reports
- Maintain FSC Reference Materials:
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with chapter liaisons and other Society staff to ensure productive flow of information between FSC, field and other departments
- Maintain various FSC tools, including "Facesheet", "Dates & Deadlines", "Event-Specific Questions" and yearly event volume calendar in collaboration with team lead
- Train others to support this work as needed
- Work with FSC Managers to set up and maintain seasonal workstations and equipment
- Lead or coordinate ad hoc projects as they arise
Requisition Number
NAT4659
Qualifications
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor of Arts or Science
- Some college plus 5 years of related experience will be accepted in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree
Minimum Experience:
- 3+ years of customer service experience
- Experience working in the Fundraising Support Center
- Exemplary oral and written communication skills, and interpersonal skills
- Exceptional, organizational, analytical, time management, multi-tasking skills
- Strong critical thinker with exemplary attention to detail
- Ability to manage large amounts of information effectively
- Requires the ability to be creative, set priorities, make quick and sound decisions, problem solve, work toward goals
- Excellent customer service skills: patient, positive attitude under pressure
- Demonstrate ability to work successfully both independently and as a team member, motivate others and act professionally in dealing with staff and the public
- Ability to see "big picture" as to how various departments/ functions work together
Technical/Other:
- Strong computer abilities (MS Outlook, Word, Excel, on-line fundraising tools, databases)
- Troubleshooting and research skills
- Interest and skills in training and coaching
- Must be able to work with diverse people, with a variety of personalities and abilities
- Commitment to the mission, vision, cultural values, and expectations of the National MS Society
- This position will be required to drive/travel on Society business. Candidate must possess a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation. The Society does run motor vehicle checks for all positions which require driving and the applicant must meet the Society guidelines.
Compensation:
Estimated hiring compensation range for this role is $37,500 - $43,900 based on our average compensation schedule of Denver, CO. Final offers will be based on candidate geographic location and consider career experience and may vary from this range due to these and other factors.
Benefits Info:
You will have the opportunity for a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package that the Society provides to employees. Your benefits include a considerable Paid Time Off Plan; Paid Holidays; 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match; Educational Reimbursement Plan; Professional Development Assistance; Commuter Benefit Plan; Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Life Assistance Plan as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings. We value continuous learning and support your professional development through a Professional Development Assistance plan. You will join an incredible mission focused team of people!
Other Info:
All offers of employment are contingent upon the candidate showing proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (with a COVID-19 FDA-approved vaccine or a COVID-19 vaccine granted Emergency Use Authorization) by the date of hire. A candidate is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or one dose of a single dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) or as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Candidates unable to be vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or disability that prevents them from being vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.
The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.