Director of Development, South Carolina

The Nature Conservancy•North Charleston, SC

1d•$130,000 - $160,000

About The Position

The Director of Development II leads fundraising strategy and development functions for The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina, aligning the state program’s priorities with the organization’s global One Future: Together, We Find a Way campaign. The role leads and executes multi-year campaigns, grows the donor pipeline, cultivates principal and major donors, and strengthens donor strategy, portfolio management, reporting, and accountability. It builds an inclusive, high-performing development team and engages trustees and campaign volunteers in fundraising efforts. The Director oversees a fundraising program targeting $4.5 million to $9 million annually. This includes managing major-gift functions such as planned giving, endowments, principal gifts, prospecting, donor research and engagement, and multi-year campaigns. The role works closely with the State Director, Board Chair, trustees, campaign volunteers, senior management, staff, donors, and other partners. It also develops budgets and objectives, evaluates results, ensures ethical and financial compliance, and reports program activities to leadership and the South Carolina Board of Trustees. The position may present analysis and recommendations to Board committees and may make decisions with program-wide or financial and legal impact. The preferred location is Charleston, with flexibility for Columbia, Orangeburg-Spartanburg, or Greenville. The role requires frequent, short-notice travel, including up to 30% in-state travel, as well as long hours and weekends. The work environment involves infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion or strain. A valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program are required; employment is contingent on completing a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a motor vehicle record review.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of related experience, including senior-level experience, or an equivalent combination of work experience and education.
Demonstrated success planning, organizing, and running campaigns with significant target achievement.
Experience asking for and closing major gifts.
Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents, including major donors, foundations, and corporations.
Experience planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.
Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team.
Experience working in a large, complex nonprofit environment.
Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of the relevant field.
Valid driver’s license and ability to comply with TNC’s Auto Safety Program and complete a Vehicle Use Agreement, potentially including a motor vehicle record review.
Ability to travel frequently and on short notice, work long hours and weekends, and travel up to 30% in-state.

Nice To Haves

Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience communicating with and presenting to a wide variety of audiences.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major-gift giving and solicitation.
Knowledge of advanced gift-planning concepts.
Experience leading, managing, and developing a high-performing team to accomplish organizational goals.
Proficiency synthesizing materials from multiple sources into coherent, accurate summaries for executive audiences.
Advanced understanding of nonprofit management best practices.
Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross-cultural experience.

Responsibilities

Lead South Carolina fundraising strategy to achieve annual fundraising of $4.5 million to $9 million.
Take command of the multi-year campaign in its early silent phase and execute the strategy needed for campaign success.
Lead, manage, develop, and retain a high-performing development team, including recruitment, retention, professional development, direction-setting, and stretch objectives.
Grow the donor pipeline and identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift donors, foundations, corporations, and key partners.
Partner with the State Director, Board Chair, trustees, and campaign volunteers to strengthen fundraising engagement.
Manage major-gift functions, including planned giving, endowments, principal gifts, donor prospecting and research, donor engagement, and multi-year campaigns.
Report development program activities to leadership and the South Carolina Board of Trustees.
Maintain 100% Board participation in TNC’s Legacy Club and work with Trustee Legacy Ambassadors toward that goal.
Design and direct complex, diversified projects; coordinate other professionals’ work, manage budgets, and ensure program accountability.
Develop and administer budgets and fundraising objectives, evaluate results, and develop corrective strategies as needed.
Direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high-profile, or sensitive agreements.
Ensure programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for ethical compliance.
Lead strategic initiatives with senior-level stakeholders to improve overall performance against short- and long-term objectives.
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and emotionally charged information.
Make strategic decisions that may have program-wide impact or financially or legally bind the organization.
Plan and lead programs and initiatives to achieve department and organization-wide goals.
Be accountable for meeting strategic goals and objectives.
Travel frequently and on short notice, work long hours and weekends, and undertake up to 30% in-state travel.