The Associate Director of Development (ADoD) works closely with the donor-centric Wisconsin development team, chapter staff and volunteer leaders to support and nurture a culture of giving and collaboration and to secure significant financial resources to support conservation and programmatic goals for the Wisconsin Chapter. They also work to help secure gifts to support North America and Global programming priorities outlined in the Conservancy’s Shared Conservation Agenda. The Associate Director of Development supervises the Donor Relations Manager. The successful candidate may choose to work out of The Nature Conservancy’s office in either Madison, WI or Milwaukee, WI. The salary range for the position starts at $62,500 and is dependent on experience.
The Associate Director of Development is responsible for building and deepening a portfolio of qualified donors and aligning donors’ interests with organizational aspirations. They will be responsible for direct asks for both global and local priorities and helping advance the current $48 million campaign. They listen for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, such as planned gifts and trade lands. The ADoD provides opportunities for donors to receive recognition and increase future giving. They involve appropriate partners in the field and staff across Wisconsin and at the Worldwide Office, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues or concerns, and direct questions as appropriate. They are familiar with the work of The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin and are also capable of highlighting the programs of the Conservancy in broad terms. They may be responsible for volunteer engagement within formal and/or informal networks, including the Board of Trustees, and they may be responsible for event design and management. The ADoD will be required to use the Conservancy’s donor database and may participate in the development of proposals and other cultivation outreach to individuals, foundations and corporations.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 75 donors, including donors with the capacity to give over $100,000, once the portfolio is developed. Responsible for 40-50 visits annually. Annual fundraising goal of $500,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.
- Act independently, and in supervisor’s stead as needed, and exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
- Decisions may have program-wide impact and may bind the organization financially or legally.
- Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.
- Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements.
- Financial responsibility includes working within a budget and meeting fundraising objectives.
- Manage assigned projects, coordinating the work of peers and setting deadlines.
- May manage or participate in complex or sensitive negotiations.
- Supervise the Donor Relations Manager.
- Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups who are important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
- travel frequently and on short notice, work long and flexible hours as needed.
- Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
- Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents.
- Experience in asking for and closing gifts of $25,000 or more.
- Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams.
- Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity and potential for helping the Conservancy meet its goals, and to act appropriately to tie those interests with the Conservancy’s work.
- Ability to educate and inform prospective and existing donors about appropriate giving vehicles.
- Ability to implement and manage fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation and recognition plans.
- Knowledge of current trends in charitable giving in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts or planned giving.
- Demonstrated experience using listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors and volunteers.
- Proven ability to negotiate high profile or sensitive agreements.
- Working knowledge of the basics of charitable gift planning.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.