The Nature Conservancy, Virginia Chapter is seeking a Director of Philanthropy (DOP) to provide leadership, management and energy to its development program. The Virginia Director of Philanthropy is responsible for the design and execution of the organization’s relationships with individuals, foundations and corporations in support of The Nature Conservancy’s priorities in Virginia and around the world.
The DOP is responsible for all fundraising, which includes multi-year fundraising campaigns, major and principal gift fundraising, planned giving, donor prospecting and research, stewardship, and assisting in recruiting board members.
The DOP will be responsible for executing the five-year, $80-million campaign, now entering its fourth year and having achieved approximately 50% of its goal. A key component of the successful campaign will be the development of a sustained capability to raise in excess of $10M million annually in outright gifts. The DOP will be responsible for a 13-person team dispersed across the state of Virginia. He/she will be expected to provide leadership, support and motivation for the department to achieve maximum productivity, engagement and impact.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
The DOP will provide leadership, strategy and execution for philanthropic growth. The DOP must be a compelling leader with relevant experience, capable of driving sustainable growth across all elements of the fundraising mix. The position reports to the State Director and is a key member of the Virginia Leadership Team. The DOP will have the following background/accomplishments::
- Strategy development. The DOP will be a strategic, innovative and compelling leader who is motivated to make TNC Virginia a high performing development organization. The DOP will be effective at setting priorities, establishing key metrics, and achieving results. He/she will inspire confidence, trust and collaboration across the organization and externally.
- Track record of successful fundraising. The DOP will have a track record of leading development growth in complex organizations where innovation is prized. The DOP will bring acumen from across the fundraising spectrum and have demonstrated expertise in securing sizable and complex major gifts, leading campaigns and managing strategic partnerships.
- Designing and leading high- performing teams. The DOP will have a record of empowering and building teams, recruiting and developing talent, and creating an environment of trust, achievement and high standards. He/she will be both an outstanding strategist and a hands-on player-coach.
- Strong communication skills. The DOP will be a compelling communicator with sophisticated donors, uncommonly good at representing The Nature Conservancy and connecting people to the organization. In frontline relationships with donors as well as in group settings, the DOP will be a persuasive presenter and relationship-builder, inspiring more people to get involved and support the mission.
- Managing in complex structure. The DOP will work with individuals and programs throughout Virginia and globally. Understanding and managing to priorities in the “federalist” model is a key success factor for the DOP. The ability to function as an integral part of a local, collaborative team as well as with peers and colleagues around the world is essential. As such, experience working in complex, matrixed organizations to successful outcome is a key requirement for the role.
- The DOP reports to the State Director and manages a staff of approximately 13 individuals, comprised of fundraisers, donor relations and operations professionals.
- Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with high net worth constituents such as individual major donors, private foundations, and corporations
- Track record of cultivating and closing major or planned gifts of $1,000,000 or more.
- Experience recruiting, training, and engaging board members and other volunteer leaders and ensuring that they are well prepared to engage in effective fundraising efforts.
- Experience working with trustees and/or volunteer committees to drive philanthropic efforts.
- Experience building and successfully executing fundraising plans for a program or an organization.
- Supervisory and management experience in the context of a large multidisciplinary department, including planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.
- Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment.
- Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
- Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of non-profit fundraising.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will be a smart, seasoned leader who is good at fundraising and managing people and processes. Passion for environmental or conservation missions is essential. He/she will have a number of key characteristics:
- Compelling communication. He/she will be a gifted communicator and marketer and must be able to achieve ambitious development goals working with key stakeholders and leaders of TNC. The ability to effectively express the critical nature of The Conservancy’s mission to find solutions for the major environmental issues of our times must be compellingly conveyed to sophisticated stakeholders.
- Collaborative style. The DOP will be required to partner effectively with members of the TNC Virginia leadership team to achieve its fundraising and conservation objectives. He/she will also engage with The Nature Conservancy’s regional, national and worldwide functions. The ability to support the global mission while securing support and resources for Virginia will require a collaborative style to have maximum impact.
- Global perspective. While the role is focused on Virginia, the mission and impact of The Nature Conservancy are truly global. As such, the DOP secures funds that support the Virginia, North America and global priorities of TNC. The awareness and ability to converse on the myriad of challenges and opportunities facing the Conservancy beyond its Virginia borders will be critical for credibility and achievement of fundraising targets.
- Courage and fortitude. As a key member of the TNC Virginia leadership team, he/she will be expected to present and “sell” points of view that may depart from current thinking and approaches. The Conservancy needs and deserves an individual with a fresh perspective and the ability to share that with the leadership team.
- Intellectual curiosity. The DOP will possess an intellectual curiosity that manifests itself in a continuous improvement approach to telling The Conservancy’s story, searching out new sources of funding, and exploring avenues to raise the performance of the Philanthropy team.