Washington, DC

The Organization
The Land Trust Alliance is a national conservation organization whose mission is to save the places people love by strengthening land conservation throughout America. The Alliance works with Congress to pass tax incentives and funding that help landowners to choose conservation over development.  The Alliance serves as a university for land conservation that trains the people who do the work to conserve cherished farms, forests, parks and trails. It strengthens community-based land trusts by providing workshops, online learning, research, standards, and accreditation services. The Alliance’s conservation defense program helps land trusts ensure that conserved land stays protected forever. The Alliance works with the media to promote land conservation and engage more Americans in saving our most treasured places.

Position Overview
The Vice President of Development manages all of the Land Trust Alliance’s fundraising activities including individual giving, foundation grants, corporate gifts, government partnerships, major gifts, and planned giving programs. Working closely with the President, Board of Directors, senior management, and external consultants, the Vice President will conceive of and implement organization-wide and department-specific development strategies to significantly increase revenues to meet annual and multi-year fundraising goals. S/he will be a “player/coach,” not only managing all development department staff, but maintaining her/his own donor portfolio, participating in solicitations, attending events, and coaching and inspiring the rest of the development team. The Vice President of Development will be a seasoned fundraiser, strong communicator able to articulate the Alliance’s vision and values to external audiences, and serve as an ambassador for the Alliance with donors, partners, and the broader conservation community.  In short, the Vice President of Development position requires a person who is a dynamic leader, an effective spokesperson, a skilled manager, and an excellent fundraiser.

Specific Responsibilities

* Provide leadership, vision, and strategic thinking to generate the financial resources needed to advance and support the mission of the Alliance.

* Oversee a development department that manages annual giving, foundation grants, corporate gifts, government partnerships, major gifts, and planned giving programs.

* Generate, on an annual basis, more than $15 million in organizational revenues through the development department.

* Effectuate significant increases in annual unrestricted support in the near term, both in dollar totals and as a percentage of total organizational revenues.

* Evaluate the development department and provide recommendations to the President, Board of Directors, and senior management regarding how to improve the department and increase its effectiveness; this evaluation work will likely require coordination and management of external consultants.

* Personally manage a portfolio of existing major individual, foundation, and corporate donors.

* Personally cultivate new individual, foundation, and corporate donors, including through outreach to land trust board members, land trust executive directors, and supporters of land trusts.

* Build enthusiasm, confidence, and skills in all Alliance staff to fundraise effectively.

* Manage the Alliance’s National Council (a group of individuals providing advice and support to the Alliance at a major gift level), including designing and managing the National Council’s annual retreat.

* Manage the membership and activities of the Alliance’s Corporate Council (a group of corporations with missions aligned with the work of the Alliance that also provide financial support).

* Serve as a close advisor to the President and as a member the President’s executive management team (which also includes the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer/Financial Officer, and Vice President of Communications).

* Represent the Alliance by speaking at meetings, conferences, and events, as necessary.

Professional Qualifications

* A minimum of ten years’ experience as a successful development professional working with non-governmental, 501(c)(3) organizations, including a minimum of five years’ experience leading a sizeable development team.

* A proven track record in building and overseeing a successful development department that manages annual giving, foundation grants, corporate gifts, government partnerships, major gifts, and planned giving programs, as well as capital campaigns and similar special fundraising initiatives.

* Extraordinary skill and a demonstrated record of success in making direct asks for support, including cultivating and soliciting major individual donors, foundations, and corporations.

* A proven track record of securing major gifts at the six- and seven-figure level.

* Experience managing or overseeing fundraising programs that use online giving, electronic fund transfers, direct dialogue, and other platforms outside of direct mail to generate significant unrestricted revenue.

* Ability to build and maintain a strong culture of giving among supporters.

* Intellectual agility and demonstrated ability to think strategically.

* Entrepreneurial drive and creativity to identify and pursue new opportunities.

* Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

* Ability to track metrics and be accountable for results.* Experience managing institutional growth and change.

* Excellent writing, editing, and speaking skills. Ability to create an inspirational and persuasive case for the Alliance.

* Demonstrated success as a manager in building a team to achieve fundraising goals. Considerable experience motivating, developing, and retaining a professional staff for a growing organization.

* Familiarity with land trusts and the land trust community will be considered a strong plus.

Required Personal Attributes

* A passion and deep commitment to land conservation and the mission of the Alliance.

* High energy level and drive for results.

* Enthusiasm, sense of humor, and ability to create a positive work environment.

* Authenticity and personal integrity.

* Strong people skills and the ability to build cooperative relationships with development staff and other managers.

* Willingness to reside in Washington, DC, and to travel extensively (approximately a third of each month).

Education

An undergraduate degree is required and an advanced degree or professional training will be considered a plus.

Compensation

Highly competitive salary and benefits provided.