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
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
The Deputy Director of Gift Planning Fundraising is responsible for managing a gift planning fundraising team focused on raising outright, blended, and planned gifts. They will also develop, implement, and manage effective gift planning strategies and plans for the cultivation and solicitation in asking for, negotiating, and closing outright and complex gifts of $100,000 or more from major individual donors and prospects.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Deputy Director of Gift Planning Fundraising is responsible for managing a fundraising team of experienced regional gift strategists across the Conservancy and is responsible for motivating and coordinating the efforts of the team. They will oversee the day-to-day management and performance of the team and ensure their fundraising work is a collaborative and well-integrated effort within and across the organization. They will contribute to the development of new initiatives and approaches and report to leadership on progress towards goals, fundraising strategy, and team metrics. They will also serve as a technical and strategic gift planning advisor and partner to state leadership and fundraising staff in assigned chapters to determine effective strategies for identified donors and prospects to generate leads for complex gifts. They understand and apply complex principles of developing donor strategies and build strong relationships with a portfolio of new and current donors and prospects. The Deputy Director of Gift Planning Fundraising discusses assets proficiently and listens for opportunities for gifts of assets. They negotiate and close a wide range of outright and complex gifts, including bequests and life income gifts, gifts of non-cash assets such as stock and real estate, and Donor Advised Funds. They will incorporate blended gifts and gifts of assets in proposals to donors. They involve and engage appropriate partners in the field and staff at the Worldwide Office, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues or concerns. They will be required to use the Conservancy’s donor database, understands and complies with all TNC gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Accountable for team fundraising goals of $50 million to $70 million a year in deferred and complex gifts.
- Broad management responsibility for five or more professional staff, including training, professional development, establishing clear directions, setting objectives, and overseeing the execution of day-to-day work.
- Direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
- Ensure that programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for ethical compliance.
- Financial responsibility for setting and meeting fundraising objectives, evaluating results, and developing corrective strategies.
- Implement and lead multiple collaborative and complex projects, directing work of staff, setting deadlines, and ensuring accountability.
- Lead strategic initiatives through collaboration with senior-level stakeholders in order to enhance overall performance in accordance with short and long-term objectives.
- Maintains confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
- Make strategic decisions; decisions made may have program-wide impact and may bind the organization financially or legally.
- Maximum opportunity to act independently, resolves complex issues within scope.
- Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
- Responsible for closing personally 15-25 outright, complex, and planned gifts annually. Responsible for 100-150 donor interactions and 25 visits annually. Work with donors on complex giving vehicles and assets. Annual fundraising target of $3.5-9M or more in deferred and complex gifts.
- Travel up to 50% time and on short notice, work long hours and weekends as needed.
- Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience.
- Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors capable of giving noncash and complex assets.
- Experience in asking for, negotiating and closing outright, blended and planned gifts of $100,000 or more.
- Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
- Experience working with fundraising principles and practices.
- Experience using communication and presentation skills, and experience working with boards.
- Experience, coursework or other training in current and evolving trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of capital campaigns, major and planned gifts.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience are appreciated.
- Experience managing a geographically dispersed team.
- Ability to inspire, motivate and marshal resources. Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to positively influence and persuade.
- Ability to design and implement fundraising strategies, including cultivation, solicitation and recognition strategies.
- 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.
- Advanced knowledge of complex charitable gift planning.
- Demonstrated experience using listening, diplomacy, and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors and volunteers.
- Proven ability to negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
How To Apply
To apply for job ID 50020, submit your required cover letter and resume online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ or by applying directly HERE. If you need help applying, please visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.