In Arizona, the Conservancy has helped protect more than 1.5 million acres and is forging new alliances and developing innovative tools to help communities achieve both a healthy environment and a healthy economy. This Associate Director of Development (ADoD) will work closely with staff to plan, implement and coordinate effective multi-year strategies and plans for gift prospects, including individual donors, foundations and corporations to support the conservation goals of the Conservancy’s Arizona Business Unit.
The Associate Director of Development (ADoD) is responsible for building and managing a portfolio of 75 – 125 qualified donors and developing and maintaining strong relationships with those donors that lead to growing commitments to our work. Understands and applies complex principles of developing donor strategies; and will be responsible for direct asks to support both global and local priorities to meet funding needs. The ADoD listens for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, such as planned gifts and trade lands; works across our State and World Office teams to involve and engage appropriate subject matter experts and other conservation partners in outreach and proposal development, and to keep them apprised of interactions, issues and/or concerns, while addressing questions as needed. Capably communicates the programs of the Conservancy in detailed terms and confidently discusses all opportunities to connect to our work through philanthropy. The ADoD understands project budgets and may build proposal budgets utilizing this knowledge. Develops a referral network as needed and may manage formal and/or informal networks of volunteers; and will be required to use the Conservancy’s donor database and participate in the development of proposals.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Manage a portfolio of 75 - 125 individual/corporate/foundation donors (including donors with the capacity to give over $100,000 once the portfolio is developed). Responsible for 60 – 100 visits and 225 – 375 moves annually. Meet or exceed annual fundraising goal of $500K.
- Meet or exceed any additional fundraising goals defined for the fiscal year.
- 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.
- 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 with related software (MS Suite; CRM Data base (preferably Blackbaud).
- Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Able and willing to travel, work weekends, long and flexible hours.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Demonstrated collaborative work style.
- Demonstrated 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.
- Ability to develop and manage a budget.
- 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.