Boston, MA

Massachusetts, Director of Development, The Nature Conservancy

The Organization

A LITTLE ABOUT US

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

Position Overview

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Massachusetts Director of Development (DOD) is a fundraising leader who leads a team of seasoned, collaborative professionals to raise financial support for local, regional, and international conservation priorities. They are entrepreneurial and motivated to expand our donor base in order to help us reach our full potential in the Boston market and beyond. The DOD must be results oriented and able work collaboratively with colleagues, donors, and volunteers across a dispersed and complex global organization. Across these roles, the DOD works to integrate development with conservation and policy initiatives. To that end, a key role for the DOD is to bring donor perspective to organizational decisions and ensure integration of conservation priorities within the Development Program. The DOD is responsible for the program’s portfolio of donors and, leading by example, will be accountable for managing approximately 10 significant donor relationships aimed at securing seven and eight-figure gifts.

The DOD also shares leadership responsibility for building and engaging the Board of Trustees and, with the State Director, staffs the Development Committee of the Board. They are responsible for building a culture of philanthropy within the chapter and encourages all staff and volunteers to see themselves in fundraising roles. The Director of Development reports to the State Director and serves as an active member of Massachusetts Chapter’s senior leadership team.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

Fundraising Leadership

·       Conceive, develop, lead, and manage annual and long-term fundraising plans and strategies in support of Chapter and organizational conservation and operating goals. Accountable for a team fundraising goal of approx. $8 million/year ($5.5 million operating plus global and capital expenses)

·       Communicate, internally and externally, a broad vision for fundraising and local, regional and international conservation success.

·       Work collaboratively with fundraising teams within the Northeast and beyond to maximize fundraising potential of shared donors.

·       Develop and oversee the networking list for the State Director, other senior staff and Board leadership to bring thought leaders and other influential people into stronger relationship with the Chapter.

·       Manages all major gifts functions, which may include planned giving, principal gifts, donor prospecting and research, and special multi-year fundraising campaigns; and leverages centralized fundraising resources at the Conservancy including membership and annual giving efforts for Massachusetts residents.

Chapter Leadership

·       Actively serve as a member of the Chapter’s senior management team, working collaboratively with leadership to develop and implement Chapter-wide vision and direction.

·       Bring the voice of the trustee and donor to Chapter leadership discussions and decisions and ensure fundraising strategies and staff are consistently represented.

·       Maintain strong relationship with conservation and finance leadership in the Chapter to ensure collaborative understanding of sources and uses of funding and to honor donors.

Management & Mentoring

·       Lead a team of fundraising professionals and unite that team around a common vision for success and concrete plan of action. Motivate, set objectives, coach and recognize direct reports.

·       Assist fundraisers with donor strategy development and implementation. Clear roadblocks so that they may better perform.

·       Work collaboratively with other fundraising teams within the Northeast to maximize fundraising potential of shared donors.

Board Leadership

·       Co-manage the Board of Trustees. Oversee Board meetings, retreats and events for maximum engagement, efficiency and productivity.

·       Act as lead strategist for growth in the Chapter’s network of business and philanthropic relationships; staff the Trustee Relations Committee of the Board and consult on the strategic recruitment of new Trustees.

Fundraising

·       Strategically manage a portfolio of up to 10 significant donors and prospective donors aimed at securing 7- figure gifts over time; orchestrate the work of staff and lay leadership to maximize these key relationships for the long term.

General

·       Maintains confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.

·       Develops and administers 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.

·       Direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.

·       Understand and comply with all Conservancy gift-related policies and procedures and ensure ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals.

·       Travel frequently and on short notice, work long hours and weekends.

·       Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements minor physical exertion and/or strain.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

·  Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience, including experience working at a senior level.

·  Experience asking for and closing major gifts.

·  Visionary strategic/executive leadership

·  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.

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·       Strong commitment to incorporating dimensions of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in conservation strategy and practice; Experience working across race, socio-economic class and language differences appreciated. Multi- lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

·       Knowledge of Boston’s philanthropic community and networks of social and professional relationships within it.

·       The willingness to think and act strategically and empathetically in support of the Chapter and as a whole.

·       The capacity to embrace and effectively communicate the Conservancy’s mission and its relevance to the environment, the economy and the health of human communities.

·       Experience working for a national or global organization and within a complex, matrixed environment, and the ability to manage teams and projects virtually.

·       Experience, sincere interest and pleasure in developing fundraising talent in professional staff and volunteers.

·       Experience managing change.

·       Advanced understanding of best practices in non-profit management.

·       Effectively communicate via presentations, conversations, and documents.

·       Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation.

·       Knowledge of advanced gift planning concepts.

How To Apply

Visit www.nature.org/careers and apply online with cover letter & resume to Job ID #51124 or apply directly HERE.  All resumes and required cover letters must be submitted through The Nature Conservancy’s online application system. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received, and the position will remain open until filled. Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

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