The Associate Director of Development (ADoD) works closely with the development team to implement and coordinate effective multi-year strategies and plans for gift prospects, including corporate, foundation, and/or individual donors. The ADoD will cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of donors at the middle and major donor level, as well as identify and qualify new donors to meet both individual and organizational fundraising goals with the objective of broadening philanthropic conversations and elevating their portfolio. There will be a focus on growing participation and membership. The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and will take a highly-experiential approach to donor relations. With a passion for the environment, the successful candidate will have confidence with face-to-face solicitations skills as well as an understanding of how to appropriately engage organizational and volunteer leadership, as well as donor cultivation.
The ADoD is responsible for building a portfolio of qualified donors and developing relationships. They understand and apply the principles of developing donor strategies. They will be responsible for direct asks to both global and local priorities to meet funding needs. 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 at the Worldwide Office, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues or concerns, and direct questions as appropriate. They are capable of featuring the programs of the Conservancy in broad terms. They may be responsible for volunteer engagement within formal and/or informal networks. The ADoD will be required to use the Conservancy’s donor database and may participate in the development of proposals. They will play a vital role in the $25M Louisiana It’s our Nature campaign strategy and executions. They will work with philanthropy leadership to leverage Louisiana’s connections and relationships.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Act independently and in supervisor’s stead as needed, exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
- Decisions may have program-wide impact and may bind the organization financially or legally.
- Manage a portfolio of 75 – 125 donors, including donors with the capacity to give over $100,000, once the portfolio is developed.
- Responsible for 75 – 125 visits and 225 – 375 moves annually. Annual fundraising goal of $700,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.
- 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.
- May supervise support or administrative staff.
- 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
- Experience using listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors and volunteers.
- 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 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 the 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.
- Experience working in a team with diverse communication styles.
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.