Associate Director, Principal Gift Development

The Nature Conservancy•San Francisco, CA

19h•Remote

About The Position

Jointly reporting to and supported by the U.S. Director of Principal Gift Development, and the Director, Principal Gifts, California, the Associate Director, Principal Gift Development is a key member of both the California philanthropy team and TNC’s Global Principal Gifts team, as part of the US Wealth Markets initiative. The US Wealth Markets (USWM) initiative is a cross-cutting dynamic team of principal gift (PG) fundraisers who are focused on raising support for TNC’s highest priorities by growing our base of supporters at the principal gift level ($5,000,000+). This team is dedicated to modeling and fostering a highly collaborative approach to principal gift fundraising, and to creating, testing, innovating, and sharing strategies and tactics for Discovery. The Associate Director works in partnership with California and global teams to build strong and lasting donor relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals to help advance the mission and impact of TNC. This position is focused on building a portfolio from scratch and the incumbent should have experience in and passion for cold prospecting at the PG level. The Associate Director works closely with our prospect development team, philanthropy operations team, key volunteer leaders, local and global TNC fundraisers, and senior leaders and executive management from across the Conservancy to identify and build relationships with new prospective donors who have a primary residence in California. The goal of the Associate Director is to qualify 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 and principal gift level solicitations in support of TNC priorities, including raising flexible or lightly restricted funding. They have experience in and enthusiasm for principal gifts 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 to both global and local priorities to meet funding needs. They will incorporate blended gifts and gifts of assets in solicitations of donors. They are capable of discussing the priorities of the Conservancy and working collaboratively within a complex matrix organization. The preferred location for this position is in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 7 years related experience.
Experience building a principal gift-level donor pipeline from scratch.
Experience in maintaining long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
Experience in asking for and closing gifts of $1,000,000 or more, including planned gifts.
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.
Experience collaborating with fundraisers and senior leaders across multiple business units and teams in a complex, matrix organization to achieve outcomes.
Experience, coursework, or other training in current and evolving trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving.

Nice To Haves

Passion for cold prospecting at the PG level.
Entrepreneurial spirit and approach to pipeline development.
Enthusiasm for principal gifts discovery work.
Proficiency in discussing assets and identifying opportunities for non-cash gifts.
Ability to thrive in a remote position and working in a matrix organization.
Experience and joy in building portfolios from scratch (Discovery).
Passion about TNC's mission.
Innovative and self-motivated.
Innately collaborative.
Excited to join a team in growth mode.

Responsibilities

Building a portfolio from scratch and cold prospecting at the PG level.
Working closely with prospect development team, philanthropy operations team, key volunteer leaders, local and global TNC fundraisers, and senior leaders and executive management.
Identifying and building relationships with new prospective donors who have a primary residence in California.
Qualifying prospects and developing and executing adapted strategies for each qualified individual.
Building a strong relationship between TNC and each prospect, leading to philanthropic support of top priorities.
Developing a new portfolio from scratch and making major and principal gift level solicitations.
Raising flexible or lightly restricted funding.
Principal gifts discovery work, creative approaches to prospect outreach and engagement.
Discussing assets proficiently and listening for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts.
Making direct asks to both global and local priorities to meet funding needs.
Incorporating blended gifts and gifts of assets in solicitations of donors.
Discussing the priorities of the Conservancy and working collaboratively within a complex matrix organization.