Montana Director of Development

The Nature Conservancy•Bozeman, MT

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Montana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy seeks an inspiring, strategic, relationship-driven Director of Development to lead our fundraising program and secure transformational support for conservation across Montana’s iconic working and natural landscapes. This highly external facing role focuses on building deep, long term donor relationships that advance TNC’s mission. They partner closely with the State Director, trustees, and cross functional staff to advance a unified fundraising strategy, ensure alignment with conservation priorities, and cultivate a strong, mission aligned team culture. Success requires exceptional relationship building skills, strong interpersonal understanding, and the ability to inspire philanthropy through authentic engagement with Montana’s diverse people, communities, and landscapes. The Montana Director of Development reports to the State Director and serves as an active member of the Montana Chapter’s leadership team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience, including experience working at a senior level.
Experience asking for and closing major gifts.
Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations and corporations.
Experience in planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.
Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team.
Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment.
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 meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Nice To Haves

Passion for raising money and for identifying new prospective donors (individuals and foundations).
Experience in negotiating complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
Experience in effective training, coaching, and mentoring skills.
Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Experience in managing a geographically dispersed team.
Experience with current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation.
Experience with advanced gift planning concepts.
Experience in nonprofit management best practices.
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

Responsibilities

Set the Montana chapter’s long‑term fundraising vision and annual revenue goals that align with Montana conservation objectives and TNC’s North American and global priorities.
Accountable for the team portfolio currently delivering $4M+ in annual funding, with clear expectations to cultivate growth and maintain long term financial sustainability.
Lead a multi‑year, donor‑centered strategy that builds continuity, trust, and high‑impact, place‑based engagement.
Establish clear expectations, operating rhythms, and transparent communication across development, conservation, and TNC’s state, local, and global leadership teams.
Act as a public representative of The Nature Conservancy in Montana with colleagues, partners, donors, community leaders, and the broader public.
Ensure adherence to TNC policies, financial controls, ethical standards, and reporting requirements.
Manage a personal portfolio of approximately 10-15 major donors, collectively contributing more than $1M annually; drive personalized cultivation, well-crafted solicitations, and disciplined stewardship.
Identify and cultivate new prospects through trustee, partner, and Montana community networks; leverage TNC tools and best practices.
Bring strong familiarity with nationally and globally connected philanthropic networks to expand opportunities and inform prospect strategy.
Guide and support a seasoned development team to excel through clear priorities, constructive, data-driven feedback mechanisms, and alignment around shared mission outcomes.
Foster an inclusive, trust‑based culture anchored in learning, accountability, and shared success.
Drive budgeting, revenue targets, performance analysis, and decisive financial adjustments for Montana’s development program.
Maintain a close, candid, collaborative partnership with the State Director, sharing ownership of donor strategy, portfolio moves, and fundraising results.
Engage trustees as strategic partners, providing high‑level updates and opportunities for meaningful contribution.
Develops and administers budget and fundraising objectives, evaluates results and develops corrective strategies as needed.
Ensures that programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for ethical compliance.
Directs or participates in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
Understands and conforms to all Conservancy gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals.