Director of Institutional Advancement - The Wildlife Center of Virginia

Warren Whitney•Waynesboro, VA

5d•$125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Wildlife Center of Virginia-one of the world's premier teaching hospitals for wildlife and conservation medicine-is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven Director of Institutional Advancement to join our leadership team. This is a unique opportunity to advance the Center's mission: teaching the world to care about and to care for wildlife and the environment while ensuring the financial sustainability of our life-saving work. This is an opportunity to be a key leader during a time of expansion as we increase our capacity. You will lead a committed team to build community support and increase awareness about wildlife issues across Virginia and beyond. This is more than just another fundraising role. It is a chance to have a significant impact on Virginia's wildlife conservation. This position can be located within a two-hour radius of Waynesboro, VA. Located in Waynesboro, VA, the Wildlife Center of Virginia is internationally recognized for its excellence in wildlife medicine, professional training, public education, and conservation policy. Our "treat to release" philosophy guides our care for thousands of wild animals each year, while our teaching hospital, public programming, and professional courses train the next generation of wildlife veterinary and rehabilitation professionals. Through innovative education and outreach, we inspire millions to take an active role in protecting wildlife and the environment. Since 1982, the Wildlife Center has treated more than 100,000 wild animal patients representing more than 200 native species, trained thousands of veterinary and rehabilitation professionals, and educated millions of people worldwide. As a private nonprofit located on 20 acres adjacent to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, the Center's impact is made possible by the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporate partners across the country. Reporting to the President, the Director of Institutional Advancement leads a dedicated advancement team responsible for the majority of the Center's annual revenue. This full-time, exempt, salaried position is responsible for planning, managing, and executing a comprehensive annual advancement program, including fundraising and donor relations and communications, to enhance the Center's visibility, reputation, and financial stability. The Center is in the early stages of planning for a capital campaign. This position will play a vital leadership role in planning and managing the fundraising elements of the campaign.

Requirements

Passion for wildlife conservation and the mission of the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or relevant certifications are a plus.
Experience leading a team of development professionals in a successful nonprofit organization.
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising/ advancement.
Experience in collaborating with marketing and communications.
Demonstrated success in major gift solicitation, annual campaigns, and grants and event management.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
Strong relationship-building, strategic thinking, and project management abilities.
Proven ability to work across organizational departments and effectively with committees, volunteers, and individual prospects, partners, and supporters.
Proficiency in donor database management and fundraising software.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with occasional evening/weekend work and travel for special events.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement annual and long-term fundraising strategies aligned with the Center's mission and strategic goals.
Provide strategic leadership to the advancement team in executing all development plans and achieving organizational and project-based revenue goals.
Oversee and assure effective implementation of fundraising strategies and tactics that include major gifts, direct mail, online campaigns, special events (such as the Annual Gala and other donor events), grants, corporate partnerships and sponsorships, and planned and estate gifts.
Assist with development and implementation of capital and special project campaigns to expand the Center's facilities and resources.
Identify, recruit, and engage external volunteer stakeholders, including board and committee members, to expand fundraising capacity, develop new donor prospects, and assist with effective stewardship of current donors.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government partners.
Manage the Center's Legacy Society and related planned giving opportunities to assure a consistent pipeline of support and effective stewardship of members and their families.
Arrange and participate in personal visits and communications with donors, often in collaboration with the President and other key staff.
Oversee the grant development, management, and reporting processes to secure financial support for the Center's work.
Plan and manage donor-related events, both online and in person, and in collaboration with the key leadership members.
Partner with the Communications team for the creation and distribution of engagement materials, including the Annual Report and designated stories to select audiences of donors and prospects.
Collaborate with the Communications team on strategic messaging using the Center's website, email, and social media for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Prepare and monitor annual departmental plans and budgets.
Track fundraising metrics and provide regular financial reports to the President and senior leadership.
Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising practices and support transparency and stewardship reporting.
Supervise, mentor, and assure professional growth and development of a five-member advancement team.
Work collaboratively with the President, Senior Vice President, Board of Directors, and other departments to achieve organizational goals.