The Ohio Director of Development (DOD) leads a comprehensive, best-in-class development program that secures significant philanthropic resources from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support The Nature Conservancy’s priorities in Ohio and around the world. The DOD has access to fundraising expertise and best practices in the Midwest, nationally and globally, and will lead and oversee a team that manages all major gift functions, including multi-year fundraising campaigns, major (6 and 7-figure) gift fundraising, donor prospecting, strategic communications, planned giving, research, and stewardship. To achieve fundraising objectives, the DOD works with Ohio senior staff and philanthropy staff to develop and communicate a philanthropy vision and multi-year fundraising goals and is accountable to achieve these goals. They encourage collaborative state and organization-wide philanthropy efforts, communicate a broad vision and focus on highest return activities aimed at achieving long-range strategic priorities that advance the Conservancy’s global mission. The DOD directs a team of six or more staff and places a major personal emphasis on face-to-face fundraising. The DOD reports to the State Director and works closely with leadership to recruit and develop a strong Ohio Board of Trustees.
The DOD will build on existing fundraising activities to create and implement strategies for the cultivation and solicitation of a portfolio of major gift prospects, including individual, foundation and corporate donors. The Director will be responsible for cultivating a solid working relationship with our Board of Trustees, demonstrated by the Board's continued involvement in fundraising efforts. In addition to working with the Board, the State Director and the Ohio Leadership Team, the DOD will meaningfully engage a range of constituents in the Conservancy's work. The DOD plays a leadership role in motivating and coordinating the multi-disciplinary Ohio staff and volunteer leaders in collaborative fundraising efforts, including major and principal gift donor strategy development, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. They are directly responsible for managing a select group of principal and major donor prospects. The DOD understands and complies with all Conservancy gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals.
The Director of Development is charged with:
- Managing a 6-person philanthropy team, which encompasses major and principal gift functions, planned giving, loyal donors, philanthropy operational and support.
- Leading Chapter philanthropy efforts to fundraise more than $3.5 million annually in outright private gifts and pledges in support of the Ohio Chapter’s overall $9.2M operating budget as well as regional and global conservation priorities.
- Working closely with the State Director, the Leadership Team, the Ohio Board Chair and Campaign Planning Committee Chair to strengthen and engage the Board of Trustees in fundraising, trustee recruitment and board management.
- Serving on the Ohio Leadership Team to develop fundraising goals for the Chapter, for which the DOD is accountable, and contributing to the overall strategy and direction of the Chapter.
- Leading, inspiring, and managing the Ohio Philanthropy Team to achieve relationship-building and funding objectives:
- Sets and meets fundraising objectives, evaluates results, and develops effective strategies as needed.
- Recruits, develops, coaches and retains high-performing philanthropy staff and nurtures effective team collaboration.
- Actively fostering a deep collaboration within the Chapter, with Worldwide Office and other Conservancy programs, and with trustees and donors to achieve Conservancy goals.
- Successfully and strategically managing a select portfolio of approximately 40 major gift donors & prospects aimed at securing 5-7 figure gifts; orchestrating the work of staff and leadership to maximize these key relationships for the long term.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Lead, supervise, inspire and develop a team of administrative, professional, and volunteer staff, with responsibility including recruitment, retaining, training, professional development, establishing clear direction, and inspiring “stretch” objectives.
- Direct an ambitious and comprehensive fundraising campaign, including oversight of the volunteer Campaign Planning Committee to ensure Board participation in campaign goals.
- Implement strategic decisions that may affect public image, impact multiple programs, and bind the organization financially or legally.
Within the scope of the position, the DOD will:
- Conceive, design and direct high-level and interdepartmental projects, coordinating the work of other professionals, managing budget, and ensuring program accountability.
- Build and lead strategic initiatives and goals through collaboration with senior-level stakeholders in order to enhance overall performance in accordance with short and long-term objectives.
- Direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
- Ensure functional program meets commitments and is managed for ethical compliance with TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements.
- Exercise leadership in strategic and tactical manners, work with fellow leaders to establish and evaluate policies and/or long-term programs.
- Help to coordinate the financial management and planning for the chapter; set budget and fundraising objectives, analyze and report results, and take corrective actions.
- Maintain confidentiality of frequently sensitive information.
- Understand and passionately support the chapter and organization’s conservation mission and be able to clearly articulate the organization’s goals, strategies and outcomes.
- 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 working with trustees and/or volunteer committees to drive philanthropic efforts.
- Experience building and successfully executing fundraising plans for a program or an organization.
- Management experience of a large multidisciplinary department, including planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.
- Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Master’s degree and 12+ years related experience, including 5+ years working at a senior level preferred.
- Experience recruiting, training and engaging board members and other volunteer leaders and ensuring that they are well prepared to engage in effective fundraising efforts.
- Effectively communicate via presentations, conversations, and documents.
- Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of campaigns, major gifts and planned giving. Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) certification desirable.
- Demonstrated experience using listening, diplomacy, and tact to build strong relationships and motivate colleagues, donors and volunteers.
- Experience overseeing a philanthropic campaign with an overall goal greater than $10 million.
- Experience fundraising for multiple strategies or programs that are deployed at a local, regional and global scale.
- Expert understanding of best practices in non-profit management.
- Experience in managing a geographically dispersed team.
Work Environment and Schedule
- Travel as needed (up to 20%) and on short notice occasionally. May require working extended and/or varied work hours, including on weekends.
- Work is generally performed in a professional office environment and involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
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.