Brunswick, ME

The Organization

At The Nature Conservancy, we are working to save the world! In all 50 states, and in 72 nations, we work with a full range of partners to develop innovative solutions that assure people and nature both thrive. Our global success can be measured by a membership of approximately 1 million, protection of over 100 million acres in 72 countries and all 50 states, and over $2.3 billion raised to-date in the largest global conservation campaign in history.

With a 61-year history and an energized, cutting-edge leadership presence in the region, the Maine Chapter is a hub of innovation, using science and collaboration to drive conservation success that is relevant around the nation and the world. Maine is one of the last places in the Northeast where fish migrations still occur on a grand scale, despite being severely disrupted for nearly 200 years by dams and other barriers. Together, we are reversing the trend and bringing nature back to life. Building on successes in the Penobscot River Restoration Project—which removed two mainstem dams and bypassed a third—we are removing many more barriers to fish and wildlife passage in rivers and streams throughout the state. By 2025, we plan to protect and restore fish access to 1,500 more miles of river and thousands of acres of lake habitat, supporting the return of tens of millions of fish to Maine.

Meanwhile, decades of overfishing, habitat loss, and coastal development have taken their toll on the Gulf of Maine. More recently, impacts from sea level rise and ocean acidification are intensifying—the Gulf is now warming faster than 99% of the world’s oceans. In response to the ecological challenges facing the Gulf of Maine and their impact on the economic viability of Maine’s working waterfronts, The Nature Conservancy is protecting and restoring critical coastal habitats, helping coastal communities adapt to our rapidly changing ocean, and partnering directly with fishermen on a globally-recognized sustainable fisheries initiative with a goal of transforming the way fishing happens in Maine and New England.

Maine’s forests are the heart of one of the largest, most connected temperate deciduous forests remaining in the world. Our scientific analyses have also shown that the forests of Maine will be particularly important in a changing climate, providing an essential refuge for migrating species. Our state has a long and storied tradition of Mainers making their living in the woods: in lumber, recreation, and preservation. These trees already store vast amounts of carbon, and help keep more in the form of long-term, durable building materials and products. It’s imperative that we reinvent how we look at Maine’s forest economy. In addition to acquiring and stewarding forest lands, today we are also focused on reaching out to communities and building forums for important discussions to take place. We aim to help guide the forest products economy in ways that encourage sustainable forest management, yield climate-friendly results and also support our local Maine communities— ultimately, with the purpose of keeping our forests as forests.

In Maine, we depend on nature for our economic well-being and our cultural nourishment. The natural world has shaped our communities and now we look to nature to solve the complex challenges of today’s world. We can only achieve our ambitious goals by valuing and advancing diversity and inclusion—in our work and in our workplace. For conservation to succeed, we must engage local communities, listen to all voices, value new ways of thinking and getting work done, and acknowledge that we can’t succeed on our own. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion drives us to engage deeply, facilitate partnership and support broad leadership.

Position Overview

The Maine Chapter seeks a Director of Development (DOD), a skilled and dynamic professional fundraiser at the top of their career who is an excellent manager of people and compelling leader who will inspire the program to realize its full market potential. The DOD will build on the Maine Chapter’s significant contributions to the Conservancy’s domestic and global priorities. To that end, the DOD must be motivated to learn and able to work in collaboration with conservation experts, philanthropy staff organization-wide, donors, and volunteers across a dispersed and complex organization to integrate philanthropy with sophisticated conservation and policy initiatives. They will serve as a valued member of the Chapter’s senior management team, partnering with them to build a culture of philanthropy within the office and bringing the voice of the Conservancy’s donors into Chapter planning and decision-making.

Our ideal candidate will have proven success in relational philanthropy, sincere interest and pleasure in developing fundraising talent in professional staff and volunteers, and will lead by example as an active fundraiser with personal responsibility for managing donor relationships aimed at securing seven and eight-figure gifts. The DOD must have demonstrated strategic thinking, planning and problem-solving skills, including experience drafting and implementing complex fundraising plans, and planning and managing capital campaigns. They must have the ability to develop sound donor strategies and well thought-out moves that are coordinated with other programs, principal gift and other philanthropy staff to ensure donors are being solicited for organizational priorities and the largest possible gifts. To effectively address the urgency of the Conservancy’s mission and support its work in Maine and across the globe, the DOD must be able to meet ambitious philanthropy goals, leading a team of 7 development staff, directly supervising 3 staff and managing a department budget of $980,000. They will have a successful history of motivating, coaching, and encouraging growth and strategic creativity in their team. Knowledge of Maine’s philanthropic community and networks of social and professional relationships within it would enhance a candidate’s potential for success.

In order to address the urgency of the Conservancy’s mission and support its work in Maine, the region, and globally, the ideal candidate will have the following:

• Eight or more years of experience in major gift fundraising including experience working at a senior level
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations and corporations
• A successful track record of cultivating and closing 7- and 8-figure gifts
• Experience recruiting, training and engaging board members and other volunteer leaders and ensuring that they are well prepared to engage in effective fundraising efforts
• Demonstrated leadership skills, with an approach that inspires and motivates donors and staff
• Proven management skills, with a talent for developing and motivating staff
• Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to inspire through presentations, conversations, and written communications.
• Collaborative work style and excellent communication skills for effective team work across the chapter and larger organization; a team player and team builder
• A demonstrated interest in conservation and the ability to understand, embrace and communicate The Nature Conservancy’s mission and work
• Experience working within a large, complex, and decentralized global organization
• Familiarity with major donors and contacts with a commitment to Maine
• Multi-cultural; cross cultural experience or background an asset