Associate Director of Development Operations

The Nature Conservancy • New Haven, CT

8d • $100,000 - $110,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Associate Director of Development Operations for The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut (TNC in CT) leads private fundraising operations for the Connecticut Business Unit’s Philanthropy Team (currently six people in total) in support of critical state, regional, and global conservation goals. The Associate Director of Development Operations for TNC in CT will: Oversee the Philanthropy Team’s administrative activities to optimize each team member’s contributions. Manage and provide leadership and mentorship for staff. Supervise functions such as donor database maintenance, gift coding and revenue tracking, prospect research (including identifying new prospects), calendar year and fiscal year end outreach (including the mailing of the Annual Report, produced by Marketing and Communications, to donors), adherence to prospect management, solicitation, and reporting schedules, and vendor management. Work closely with the Director of Development and Finance colleagues to set measurable goals and metrics for programmatic success, build a strong donor/prospect pipeline, increase accountability, and aid in building a fundraising program that can meet and exceed market potential. Monitor the Philanthropy Team’s expense budget. Manage philanthropy effectiveness including monitoring key performance indicators and progress to fundraising and related goals as well as portfolio management and development together with the Development Program Senior Specialist, Major Gifts Manager, Director of Development, and donor relationship managers. Plan events and meetings that add strategic value with Philanthropy Team colleagues (e.g., donor cultivation dinners, receptions, or other events including outdoor events; board, committee, and/or other meetings). This includes preparing reports and other materials for these events and meetings and ensuring compliance with TNC’s specialized event and trip protocols. In TNC’s current fundraising campaign and any future campaigns, manage the tracking of donor strategies, solicitations, and revenue; reporting; and any consultant and/or vendor relationships. Maintain expert knowledge of the Development-focused systems and resources utilized by the team. Special fundraising related projects and other duties as assigned. May collaborate on fundraising operations for the Northeast Division, of which CT is a part, to a greater extent in the future. The Associate Director works in close cooperation with any or all of the following: Conservancy staff (including TNC’s executive leadership and Northeast Division colleagues as well as TNC in CT’s State Director (liaising with the State Director’s Office), Finance and Marketing and Communications staff), donors, Trustees, vendors, financial institutions, and legal and accounting professionals. They may travel occasionally (e.g., for events in Connecticut approximately monthly, training nationally 1 – 3 times per year) and work extended and flexible hours occasionally. The work environment may involve occasional exposure to weather elements and/or minor physical exertion/strain. If you have experience working in a large, complex, fast-paced environment and in development, leading staff, and administration including project management, basic budgeting, and event planning, this may be the role for you. The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut seeks a collaborative, flexible, motivated leader and partner to optimize the work of its Philanthropy Team and maximize fundraising to address the biodiversity and climate crises facing Connecticut and the world during the Conservancy’s $12 billion “One Future” campaign and beyond. Join us locally, and you will truly make an impact globally.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience supervising staff, interns, and/or volunteers.
• Experience managing and implementing projects.
• Experience negotiating agreements.
• Experience with current and evolving technology in relevant field.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in principles and practices of relevant field.
• Availability to be on-site at the Connecticut Business Unit’s New Haven office and/or locations throughout the state for administrative needs and events.
• Candidates must be available to work onsite in New Haven on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Nice To Haves

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability to manage and implement complex processes.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills; a collaborative and compassionate approach to leadership and teamwork.
• Comfort flexibly serving as both a manager and individual contributor.
• Successful experience achieving strategic program goals.
• Strong organization, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• At least basic understanding of budgeting and accounting practices.
• Experience planning events (at least small-scale events and/or professional meetings).
• Experience working with nonprofit boards.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to write for various audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Philanthropy Team’s administrative activities to optimize each team member’s contributions.
• Manage and provide leadership and mentorship for staff.
• Supervise functions such as donor database maintenance, gift coding and revenue tracking, prospect research (including identifying new prospects), calendar year and fiscal year end outreach (including the mailing of the Annual Report, produced by Marketing and Communications, to donors), adherence to prospect management, solicitation, and reporting schedules, and vendor management.
• Work closely with the Director of Development and Finance colleagues to set measurable goals and metrics for programmatic success, build a strong donor/prospect pipeline, increase accountability, and aid in building a fundraising program that can meet and exceed market potential.
• Monitor the Philanthropy Team’s expense budget.
• Manage philanthropy effectiveness including monitoring key performance indicators and progress to fundraising and related goals as well as portfolio management and development together with the Development Program Senior Specialist, Major Gifts Manager, Director of Development, and donor relationship managers.
• Plan events and meetings that add strategic value with Philanthropy Team colleagues (e.g., donor cultivation dinners, receptions, or other events including outdoor events; board, committee, and/or other meetings). This includes preparing reports and other materials for these events and meetings and ensuring compliance with TNC’s specialized event and trip protocols.
• In TNC’s current fundraising campaign and any future campaigns, manage the tracking of donor strategies, solicitations, and revenue; reporting; and any consultant and/or vendor relationships.
• Maintain expert knowledge of the Development-focused systems and resources utilized by the team.
• Special fundraising related projects and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level