Director of Development
About The Position
Stowe Land Trust seeks an experienced and strategic Director of Development to lead the organization’s fundraising program and support its continued growth. This senior leadership role oversees a comprehensive development program to meet annual fundraising goals. The Director will lead major gifts, annual giving, foundation partnerships, and campaign strategy while strengthening the systems and relationships that sustain long-term conservation work. The successful candidate will be a relationship-driven fundraiser with a demonstrated ability to secure six-figure gifts, cultivate meaningful donor partnerships, and guide sophisticated fundraising strategies. The Director will also help position the organization for future capital and comprehensive campaigns that support major conservation initiatives. While the role is primarily focused on fundraising, the Director will provide strategic oversight of communications and marketing, ensuring that messaging and storytelling effectively support philanthropic engagement. The Director of Development will serve as a key member of the leadership team and work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and staff to build a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- 7–10+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts.
- Demonstrated success closing major gifts.
- Experience managing or contributing to large annual fundraising programs.
- Experience participating in or helping lead a major fundraising campaign.
- Strong relationship-building and donor stewardship skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
- Passion for land conservation and community-based nonprofit work.
Responsibilities
- Lead and execute a comprehensive development strategy that supports annual fundraising goals.
- Build and manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects capable of making major gifts
- Partner with the Executive Director and Board to strengthen donor relationships and fundraising engagement.
- Identify new philanthropic opportunities and expand the organization’s funding base.
- Oversee foundation and grant strategy including prospect research, proposal development, and reporting.
- Provide strategic leadership for major fundraising campaigns, including campaign planning, prospect development, and volunteer engagement.
- Help design and execute future capital or comprehensive campaigns that advance the organization’s conservation priorities.
- Coordinate with consultants and campaign volunteers as needed.
- Oversee the organization’s annual giving and membership programs.
- Lead donor cultivation events and stewardship strategies.
- Expand planned giving and corporate partnership initiatives.
- Provide strategic oversight of communications and marketing to ensure alignment with fundraising priorities.
- Guide messaging and storytelling that inspire philanthropic investment in conservation.
- Supervise the Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator.
- Serve as a member of the organization’s leadership team.
- Partner with program staff to translate conservation priorities into compelling funding opportunities.
- Support board members in their fundraising roles and strengthen the organization’s culture of philanthropy.
- Assess the staffing needs of communications and development team and build out the team as needed.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Retirement benefits
- Disability and life insurance
- Paid holidays
- Vacation leave
- Family and medical leave
- Parental leave
- Professional development opportunities
- Wellness benefits and staff outings
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
