The Associate Director of Development I (ADoD I) works closely with the development team to design, coordinate and implement effective multi-year strategies and plans for gift prospects, including corporate, foundation and/or individual donors. He/she will work with program staff within West Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic & Central Appalachians Division and across the Conservancy to look within and beyond West Virginia’s borders to secure significant financial resources to support conservation and programmatic goals for the West Virginia Business Unit, as well as helping secure gifts to support North America and Global programming priorities outlined in the Conservancy’s Shared Conservation Agenda.
The Associate Director of Development I is responsible for building and deepening a portfolio of qualified donors and developing relationships, strengthening the network of qualified prospects and donors and building constructive and effective outreach and relationships with a variety of people, including senior management, donors, volunteers, public, private sector, financial/legal advisors and others. 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 I 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 network, including working with the State Director to manage the Board of Trustees, and they may be responsible for events design and management. The ADoD I will be required to use the Conservancy’s donor database and may participate in the development of proposals and other cultivation outreach to individuals, foundations, corporations and government entities.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Raise Business Unit’s philanthropic giving goals of $500,000 or more and building donor prospect network.
- 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.
- 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 including major donors, corporate executives, board members and others who are critical to the organization’s overall prosperity.
- Communicate effectively with influential people. Commands attention. Can change tactics midstream and manage group processes during presentations or discussions.
- 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; major gifts experience preferred.
- 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
- Ability to engage and interact across levels of an organization with dispersed team members and target donors.
- 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.
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.