The Associate Director of Development (ADoD) for Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota develops deep relationships between the organization and a large portfolio of donors. The ADoD works closely with the development team to plan, implement and coordinate effective multi-year strategies and plans for gift prospects. The portfolio consists primarily of individual donors, and some corporations and foundations.
The Associate Director of Development is responsible for building, managing and maintaining a portfolio of qualified donors and building strong relationships between those donors and the organization. They understand and apply the principles of developing donor strategies and demonstrate skilled experience in meaningfully engaging donors in deep and loyal philanthropic relationships with an organization. They will have financial goals and will be responsible for major gift asks for both global and local priorities. They listen for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, such as planned gifts and real estate and can effectively explain the various giving options. The ADoD provides opportunities for donors to engage, receive recognition and increase future giving. They involve appropriate partners in the field and staff at the Conservancy’s Worldwide Office, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues or concerns, and direct questions as appropriate. The ADoD writes compelling communications and formal proposals and understands how to prepare and present project budgets. They are capable of discussing the programs of the Conservancy in broad terms. They may be responsible for event coordination and volunteer engagement within formal and/or informal networks. The ADoD will be required to use the Conservancy’s donor database. The ADoD reports to the chapter’s Director of Philanthropy. This position is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We estimate the travel requirements of this position will be 15% to 25%.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Manage a portfolio of 75 – 125 donors, including donors with the capacity to give over $100,000. Responsible for and measured against markers for engagement with each donor annually in addition to fundraising goals.
- Annual fundraising goal of $500,000 or more, along with a goal for planned gift notifications.
- Consistently demonstrate creative strategies that measurably draw donors and prospects closer to the organization.
- Decisions may have program-wide impact and may bind the organization financially or legally.
- 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.
- Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups who are important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
- Travel may be frequent and on short notice, and work will include 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 or sales clients.
- Experience in asking for and closing gifts/sales of $25,000 or more.
- Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors or sales clients.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams.
- Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices, particularly major gifts, capital campaigns and planned giving.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 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.
- Personal interest in nature/conservation.