The Associate Director of Development is a member of the New York Division Development Team and is responsible for directing fundraising activities for the Long Island (LI) Chapter. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Development, they work closely with the Long Island Chapter Director to implement and coordinate effective multi-year strategies and plans for gift prospects, including individual, foundation and corporate donors. This position has a special focus on funding conservation programs in the Long Island geography, and supports conservation strategies across the State of New York, as well as nationally and internationally, securing significant financial resources to support conservation goals.
The Associate Director of Development (ADoD) will work towards meeting the Conservancy’s strategic priorities that touch down in Long Island and across the NY Division by developing and managing plans and strategies. They understand and apply complex principles of developing donor strategies and build strong relationships with a portfolio of new and current donors and prospects. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Development for the New York Division, the ADoD will work closely with the LI Chapter Director and conservation leadership on LI to cultivate major and planned giving donors. They will be responsible for direct asks to both local and global priorities to meet funding needs. They discuss assets proficiently and listen for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, such as planned gifts and real estate. They involve appropriate partners in the field and staff across New York and at the Worldwide Office, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues or concerns, and direct questions as appropriate. They are intimately familiar with the conservation work on Long Island are also capable of featuring the programs of the Conservancy across New York and in broad terms for the global organization. They supervise LI development colleagues and oversee cultivation activities, events and projects. The ADoD leverages constructive and effective relationships with a wide range of people, including trustees, donors, volunteers, public and private sector colleagues, and partners.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Management responsibility for administrative and professional staff to NY Division standards and protocols, 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.
- Ensure that TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for ethical compliance.
- Implement and direct multiple projects, directing work of staff, managing budget, setting deadlines, and ensuring accountability to NY Division.
- 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.
- 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.
- Manage a portfolio of 60 – 100 donors, including donors with the capacity to give over $250,000, once the portfolio is developed. Responsible for 60 – 100 visits and 180 – 300 moves annually. Annual fundraising goal of $1,000,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.
- Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents.
- Experience in asking for and closing gifts of $50,000 or more.
- Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams, preferably in a large non-profit.
- Experience working with fundraising principles and practices.
- Experience, coursework, or other training in current trends in charitable giving in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts or planned giving.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Experience asking for and closing gifts of $100,000 or more.
- Ability to design and manage fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation and recognition strategies.
- 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.
- Demonstrated experience using listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors and volunteers.
- Proven ability to negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
- Working knowledge of charitable gift planning.
- Proficiency in synthesizing materials from multiple sources into a coherent and accurate summary.
- Experience in managing a geographically dispersed team.
- Current driver’s license.
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.