The Director of Donor Engagement & Stewardship is responsible for directing all aspects of the Donor Engagement & Stewardship department, consisting of multiple strategic teams focused on development and implementation of a comprehensive donor relations plan to help The Nature Conservancy reach its strategic fundraising goals. The scope of work includes donor relations, communications, stewardship, recognition and engagement. The Director will provide leadership of organization-wide initiatives and work with leaders across the organization to communicate best practices and to ensure that Development central services are aligned to the goals and needs of the organization. They establish the vision for areas of responsibility, identify key challenges, develop and synthesize a plan of action, and deliver targeted outcomes.
The Director of Donor Engagement & Stewardship proposes and develops strategic priorities for donor relations, communications, stewardship, recognition and engagement; and leads the development of strategies, plans and tactics in support of priorities. They direct the development and implementation of a strategic, integrated and collaborative approach to donor relations across the organization and identify the organizational systems and processes needed to ensure success in the organization’s ability to engage and steward donors at the major and principal gift giving levels. They will ensure the implementation of gift solicitation and gift administration best practices. They will manage long-range strategic priorities, and work with programs to establish, monitor and track measures, lead indicators, and activity level benchmarks in order to achieve maximum success. They oversee, manage and guide the teams responsible for translating and packaging the Conservancy’s highest priority conservation initiatives and campaign priorities for the donor audience, designing and implementing comprehensive, measurable stewardship plans and overseeing complex donor engagement and stewardship projects and activities that involve philanthropy, membership, conservation and leadership staff, as well as key volunteers, organization-wide.
The Director provides oversight for comprehensive policies, procedures, and institutional guidelines related to donor engagement and stewardship. They lead strategic dialogues with clients and senior-level stakeholders, probing to identify key issues and requirements, negotiating and developing solutions, and synthesizing a plan of action tailored to multiple audiences. The Director sets standards for the program, leads priority vendor relationships, and makes recommendations to optimize resources throughout the Conservancy. They provide advice, guidance, and oversee training programs related to functional areas. They will serve as the sponsor for the enhancement of systems and tools used by the program. They lead relations with key stakeholders including executive and senior management, internal teams, and outside service providers to achieve strategic program goals. They are responsible for reporting on program activities to leadership, including Board of Directors committees.
The Director advances these activities through management and leadership of a teams of communications staff, event and trip planners, and donor stewardship staff. They will serve as a member of the Development Leadership Team.
Responsibilities And Scope
- Broad management responsibility for a minimum of five professional staff, including recruitment, retaining, training, professional development, establishing clear directions, and setting “stretch” objectives.
- Conceive, design and direct high-level and interdepartmental projects, coordinating the work of other professionals, managing budget, and ensuring program accountability.
- Conceive, design, 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.
- Exercises leadership in strategic and tactical manners, works with fellow leaders to establish and evaluate policies and/or long-term programs.
- Financial management of program, including setting budget, analyzing results, and taking corrective actions.
- Maintains confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
- Strategic decisions may affect public image, impact multiple programs, and bind the organization financially or legally.
- Travel frequently and on short notice, work long hours and weekends.
- Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
- Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
- Experience conceiving, developing, and managing multiple projects and strategic goals.
- Experience developing practices and procedures of relevant field.
- Experience managing relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment.
- Management experience of a large multidisciplinary department, including planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross cultural experience are appreciated.
- Effectively communicate via presentations, conversations, and documents.
- Experience managing a geographically dispersed team.
- Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in relevant discipline.
- Expert understanding of best practices in non-profit management.
- Proficiency in synthesizing materials from multiple sources into a coherent and accurate summary.
To apply to this position, please visit https://careers.nature.org/psp/tnccareers/APPLICANT/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_... Please submit your resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.