Associate Director of Development

The Nature Conservancy•Brunswick, ME

3d•$87,760 - $93,245•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Development (ADoD) is an experienced “out the door” fundraiser and self-starter with excellent writing skills who excels as a collaborative team member who brings leadership to their portfolio and fundraising strategies. The ADoD develops, implements, and plans for the cultivation and solicitation of gift prospects, primarily individual donors and potential corporate, foundation, and institutional funders. This person will be part of a team that is driven, strategic and thoughtful. This role is ideal for a strategic fundraiser who enjoys identifying, qualifying, and building relationships with new major donor prospects while also managing a portfolio of established donors to contribute to the ongoing mission of our global conservation work. The Associate Director of Development for The Nature Conservancy in Maine is based out of our Brunswick, Maine office and is responsible for managing a portfolio of qualified donors and for building strong relationships. The ADoD promotes a culture of philanthropy among their peers and volunteers and works closely with the development team, Advisory Board of Trustees, natural partners, and other Conservancy staff to determine effective strategies for engaging identified donors and prospects and deepening their relationships with The Nature Conservancy. This person inspires by telling stories about the Conservancy’s work and ably connects donors to their values. The ADoD understands and applies complex principles of developing donor strategies and builds strong relationships with a portfolio of prospects, as well as new and current donors. They are an experienced, creative and strategic fundraiser driven by donor interest and energized by pipeline discovery and qualification. The successful candidate will be highly collaborative and bring a track record of delivering results. As part of a 9-person team, this role focuses largely on discovery and qualification towards building a high-value portfolio. They are responsible for direct asks for both global and local Conservancy priorities to meet funding needs. They discuss assets proficiently and listen for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, such as planned gifts and gifts of real estate or trade lands. They incorporate blended gifts and gifts of assets in proposals to donors. They understand organizational budgets and are proficient in utilizing this knowledge to build proposal budgets. They will work collaboratively across chapters and programs with a spirit of “One Conservancy” and leverage institutional knowledge and networks for successful and sophisticated donor strategies. They work closely with chapter leadership (including the State Director and Director of Conservation) and manage assigned trustee relationships and/or volunteer engagement. They are required to use the Conservancy’s donor database and collaborate with team members who plan events, donor stewardship, and written communications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 6 years related experience or an equivalent combination.
Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents.
Experience in asking for and closing gifts of $50,000 or more.
Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors simultaneously.
Experience working with cross-functional teams, preferably in a large non-profit.
Experience working with fundraising principles and practices.
Experience, coursework, or other training in current trends in charitable giving in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts or planned giving.
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Must complete a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success building and maintaining long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals, donors, and key stakeholders.
Proven ability to develop, grow, and manage a portfolio of supporters and donors.
Experience designing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies, including cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, recognition, and gift planning.
Advanced knowledge of charitable giving vehicles and complex gift planning strategies.
Ability to identify donor interests, capacity, and philanthropic motivations and align them with organizational priorities and opportunities.
Experience collaborating effectively with fundraising colleagues, senior leaders, and cross-functional teams within a complex, matrixed organization.
Strong written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, persuasive proposals, reports, and donor-facing materials.
Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire, influence, and motivate donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
Proven ability to negotiate complex, high-profile, or sensitive agreements with diplomacy, tact, and sound judgment.
Strategic, self-motivated, and results-oriented professional who is persistent, personable, collaborative, and driven to achieve ambitious goals.
Demonstrated creativity and willingness to explore innovative approaches to fundraising and donor engagement.
Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience are appreciated.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of 80 – 120 individual and corporate/foundation donors, including donors with the capacity to give over $250,000, once the portfolio is developed (composition of portfolio to include 30-40%+ in discovery and 10%+ in loyal donor outreach). Once the portfolio has fully matured, meet an annual fundraising goal of $1,000,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.
Meet discovery-based metrics such as annual qualifications, quarterly outreach goals, and other discovery and performance metrics, as assigned.
Complete 60 – 100 visits and 180 – 300 moves annually.
Act independently and in supervisor’s stead as needed, exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to various groups important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
Exercise sound judgment in donor strategy, relationship management, and fundraising activities, considering implications across programs, departments, and organizational priorities.
Direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high-profile or sensitive agreements.
Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements; be alert to ethical compliance issues.
Set and meet fundraising objectives, evaluating results, and developing corrective strategies.
Maintain confidentiality of frequently sensitive and sometimes emotionally charged information.
Work independently, exercise sound judgment, and resolve complex donor, project, or relationship-management issues while appropriately escalating matters that require additional review or approval.
Understand and comply with all TNC gift-related policies and procedures, including taking all required trainings and partnering with the operations team to ensure data integrity.
Manage and implement multiple projects, directing work of staff, managing budget, and setting deadlines.
Engage in learning and practice principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, using these principles as a lens in communication and decision-making.
This is a hybrid position, working in our Brunswick, Maine office a minimum of two days per week.
Travel frequently and on short notice, and work long and flexible hours as needed.
Work in an environment that involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.