Associate Director of Philanthropy

The Nature Conservancy•Boulder, CO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Philanthropy II (ADoP II) works closely with the development team to plan, implement, and coordinate effective multi-year strategies and plans for major gift prospects, including corporate, foundation, and/or individual donors. The Associate Director of Philanthropy II (ADoP II) is responsible for building a portfolio of 60-100 major donors from scratch and will manage the donors toward major gift solicitations. They will utilize prior experience and passion for cold prospecting at the major gift level (gifts of $100K+ over three years or less). The ADoP II will join a high-performing fundraising team that focuses on major and principal gifts as well as planned giving. They work closely with the Director of Philanthropy, Sr. ADoP, Prospect Research Analyst, Donor Relations Manager, philanthropy operations team, key volunteer leaders, local and global TNC fundraisers, and Business Unit leaders to identify and build relationships with new prospective donors who have a primary residence in Colorado. The goal of the Associate Director is to qualify major gift prospects who are interested in engaging with TNC (while disqualifying those who are not interested) and to develop and execute adapted strategies for each qualified individual, ultimately building a strong relationship between TNC and each prospect and leading to philanthropic support of our top priorities. The Associate Director should have an entrepreneurial spirit and approach to pipeline development. They are responsible for developing a new portfolio from scratch and making major gift level solicitations in support of TNC priorities, including raising flexible or lightly restricted funding. They have experience in and enthusiasm for major gift discovery work, creative approaches to prospect outreach and engagement, can discuss assets proficiently and listen for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts. They are responsible for direct asks for global, regional, and local priorities to meet funding needs. They will incorporate blended gifts and gifts of assets in solicitations of donors. They can discuss the priorities of the Conservancy and work collaboratively within a complex matrix organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 6 years related experience or an equivalent combination.
Experience building a major gift-level donor portfolio from scratch.
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 simultaneously.
Experience working with fundraising principles and practices.
Experience in collaborating with fundraisers and senior leaders in a complex, matrix organization.
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
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.

Responsibilities

Act independently, exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems. Decisions may have program-wide impact and bind the organization financially or legally.
Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.
Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements.
Financial responsibility includes working within a budget and recommending and meeting fundraising goals.
Manage and implement multiple projects, work collaboratively with staff and volunteers, and setting deadlines.
May direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
May supervise support or administrative staff.
Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to varied groups who are important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
Travel frequently and on short notice, work long and flexible hours as needed.
Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
Build a major gifts portfolio from scratch through diligent, thorough, and creative discovery work, to achieve a portfolio of 60 – 100 donors, including donors with the capacity to give over $100,000 outright, or over three years, once the portfolio is developed.
Responsible for 60 – 100 visits and 180 – 300 moves annually.
Annual fundraising goal will progress from $250,000 in year one to $1,000,000 by year three. After year three, the annual fundraising goal will be at least $1,000,000.