Director of Development, South Carolina

The Nature Conservancy•North Charleston, SC

22h

About The Position

The Director of Development II leads fundraising strategy and development functions for The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina, advancing state priorities and connecting them to TNC’s global One Future: Together, We Find a Way campaign. The role is responsible for executing a multi-year campaign, growing the donor pipeline, cultivating and soliciting major and principal gift donors, and strengthening donor strategy, portfolio management, reporting, and accountability. The position works closely with the State Director, Board Chair, trustees, campaign volunteers, donors, internal teams, and other senior stakeholders to achieve program goals. The Director manages and develops a high-performing, inclusive development team; directs fundraising activities and complex projects; establishes benchmarks and measures of success; administers budgets and fundraising objectives; and reports program activities to leadership and the South Carolina Board of Trustees. The role may present analysis and recommendations to Board committees and may make strategic decisions with program-wide, financial, or legal impact. The position requires frequent, sometimes short-notice travel, long hours, and weekend work, with up to 30% in-state travel. Charleston is the preferred location, with flexibility for Columbia, Orangeburg-Spartanburg, and Greenville.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of related experience, including senior-level experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
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 such as 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 compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program; employment is contingent on completing a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a motor vehicle record review.

Nice To Haves

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including 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 material 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’s fundraising strategy to raise $4.5 million to $9 million annually.
Take command of the multi-year campaign in its early silent phase and execute the strategy for campaign success.
Lead, manage, develop, recruit, and retain a high-performing development team; provide professional development, clear direction, 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, 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, including ethical compliance.
Lead strategic initiatives in collaboration with senior-level stakeholders to improve 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 bind the organization financially or legally.
Plan and lead new programs and initiatives to achieve department and organization-wide goals.
Meet strategic goals and objectives.
Travel frequently and on short notice; work long hours and weekends, including up to 30% in-state travel.