The Director of Development (DoD) is responsible for directing all aspects of one or more development functions, which will secure significant financial resources to support conservation goals. Development functions may be a chapter development program or an individual giving, planned-giving, foundation relations, and/or corporate giving program.
The Director of Development will work in collaboration with Philanthropy, Conservation, Finance and Operations staff to plan and implement a comprehensive development program that secures significant financial resources from foundations, corporations, or individuals to support the Conservancy’s conservation priorities within Louisiana and around the world. S/he will lead the Louisiana chapter to the successful conclusion of a $25 million conservation campaign. S/he will assist in strategy development, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship for top donors and prospects. S/he will grow the pipeline of private funding prospects. S/he will bring high level guidance to the program(s), facilitating new opportunities at multi-state/regional/global scale. The DoD will manage all major gift functions defined as outright and planned gifts and is a key member of the chapter's leadership team. The DoD will hire, manage, and establish fundraising goals for philanthropy staff. The DoD leverages constructive and effective relationships with a wide range of people, including senior management, donors, volunteers, public and private sector colleagues, and partners including financial/legal advisors.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Accountable for annual fundraising goals of $3-4 million per year and for successful completion of the conservation campaign goal of $25 million by December 2022.
- Broad management responsibility for administrative and professional staff, including training, professional development, establishing clear directions, sets “stretch” objectives, and overseeing the execution of day-to-day work.
- Commit actions and resources in a way that affects public image and binds the organization financially or legally.
- Develop and administer budget and fundraising objectives, evaluates results and develops corrective strategies as needed.
- Ensure that programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for ethical compliance.
- Lead new programs/initiatives that will ensure department and organization-wide goals and strategies are achieved.
- Implement and direct multiple projects, directing work of staff, managing budget, setting deadlines, and ensuring accountability.
- Maintain confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
- Manage strategic initiatives through collaboration with stakeholders in order to enhance performance in accordance with short and long-term objectives.
- Maximum opportunity to act independently, resolves complex issues within program area.
- May direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
- Responsibility and accountability for meeting strategic goals and objectives.
- 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 asking for and closing major gifts.
- Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations and corporations.
- Experience in planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.
- Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of charitable giving, particularly in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Effectively communicates via presentations, conversations, and documents.
- Experience in managing a geographically dispersed team.
- Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation.
- Knowledge of advanced gift planning concepts.
- Proficiency in synthesizing materials from multiple sources into a coherent and accurate summary.
- Understanding of best practices in non-profit management.
- Effective training skills.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.