Director of Development

Director Of Development

The Director of Development is responsible for directing all aspects of one or more development functions, which will secure significant financial resources to support conservation goals in Arizona and for the Western United States and Canada Division. Development functions may be a chapter development program or an individual giving, planned giving, foundation relations, and/or corporate giving program.

The Director of Development will work toward meeting the strategic priorities of the program by designing, developing, and managing plans and strategies. They focus on long-range strategic priorities, advance the Conservancy's goals, and communicate a broad vision to others. Establishes and monitors activity level benchmarks and measures of success. Manages the development and implementation of a strategic, integrated, and collaborative approach to maximize success, including organizing communications. The DoD facilitates strategic dialogues with clients and senior-level stakeholders, probing to identify key issues and requirements, negotiating and developing solutions, and synthesizing a plan of action tailored to audience. They will direct diverse activities, develop complex practices and processes, project outcomes, and initiate changes in order to improve effectiveness. The DoD works closely with and manages relations with key stakeholders including senior management, internal teams, donors, priority vendors and volunteers to achieve program goals. Responsible for presenting analysis and recommendations to the Board of Trustees' assigned committees. The Director of Development assists in the overall management of the Arizona Chapter as a member of its Leadership Team and manages a staff of 8-11 employees.

The Director of Development will be responsible for a select group of prospects and donors. The size of the portfolio, and associated individual fundraising goal, will be determined in part with consideration for the scope of supervisory responsibility.

The Director of Development will lead the AZ Business Unit's (AZBU) efforts to raise funds at the western, national and global levels, with a goal of further increasing the percent of funds raised for work outside Arizona.

The DoD will be responsible for leading a $60+ million-dollar campaign, planned to launch publicly in 2027. They will work closely with the State Director and volunteer leadership to plan and implement the campaign and will oversee relationships with trustees, including stewardship and giving.

1. Provides high-level leadership and support to Chapter's Development programs (approx. 65%)

• Oversees a comprehensive Development program that secures the significant financial resources from foundations, corporations, or individuals within the state/country to support conservation goals in Arizona and globally.
• Manages the Development staffing and culture (hiring, coaching/mentoring, training, performance, terminations; workload capacity, etc.).
• Develops and implements a Development program strategy that is consistent with the Chapter's strategic plans. Develops and implements annual work plans and project management plans consistent with best practices for philanthropy and TNC's "Philanthropy by Design".
• Both individually and in partnership with the State Director, manages a portfolio of major donors with an associated fundraising goal.
• Ensures appropriate systems are in place to support planning and decision-making and builds a culture of shared leadership that operates in accordance with TNC's values.
• Focuses on empowering staff, trouble-shoots barriers, and communicates and manages to ensure results.
• Provides clear, concise, and timely communication, guidance and decision-making; builds clarity and consensus around goals and measures.
• Promotes cross-functional work across the Chapter.
• Collaborates with other TNC business units, division, regional or global staff to advance conservation / philanthropy priorities.
• Identifies appropriate issues that need to be addressed by the State Director and brings them to the State Director's attention in a timely and concise manner.
• Serves as a catalyst for adaptive, creative approaches and ideas; encourages big-thinking and responsible risk-taking to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends.

2. Serves as a critical member of the Chapter Leadership Team and works with development directors across the Western US and Canada Division (approx. 20%)

• Supports the State Director and Chapter priorities; helps assess and respond to opportunities and challenges in a timely manner; provides an internal operational presence to enable the State Director to focus on key external relationships
• Coordinates closely with development staff across the Western US and Canada Division to raise funds for division priorities.
• Advances interests of the Western US and Canada Division and the AZ Chapter.
• Works closely with Director of Communications and Marketing, the Director of Strategy, the Director of Finance and Operations and other members of the Leadership team.
• Serves on or leads various project teams to meet Chapter Leadership Team and Western US and Canada Division objectives.

3. Completes essential management and administration work: Approx. 5%:

• Timely and accurate completion of administrative functions such as timecards; expense reports; employee performance evaluations/check-ins; self-performance documentation.

4. Miscellaneous: Approx. 10%

• Serves as the staff liaison to the AZ Board of Trustees' Development and Finance Committees.
• Attends meetings-local, throughout Arizona and national.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Accountable for overall fundraising goals of $8-11 million a year through a fundraising department or development program.
• Manages a development department comprised of 8-11 fundraising sand operations staff, including recruitment, retaining, professional development, establishing clear directions, and setting "stretch" objectives.
• Designs and directs complex and diversified projects, coordinating the work of other professionals, managing budget, and ensuring program accountability.
• Develops and administers $2-million department budget and fundraising objectives, evaluates results and develops corrective strategies as needed.
• Directs or participates in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
• Directs all future campaigns, including case studies, feasibility studies, goal setting, donor pipelines, etc.
• Engages with a 21+ member Board of Trustees.
• Ensures that programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for ethical compliance.
• Leads strategic initiatives through collaboration with senior-level stakeholders in order to enhance overall performance in accordance with short and long-term objectives.
• Maintains confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
• Makes strategic decisions; decisions made may have program-wide impact and may bind the organization financially or legally.
• Plans and leads new programs/initiatives that will ensure department and organization-wide goals are achieved.
• Responsibility and accountability for meeting strategic goals and objectives.
• Travels up to 20% time primarily within Arizona, some within U.S., occasionally work long hours and weekends.

We're Looking for You:

If you have experience supervising a multidisciplinary team, closing major gifts, and working in a complex non-profit environment - look no further! The Nature Conservancy may be the place for you. We're looking for someone who can serve as a leader and direct all aspects of one or more development functions. Apply today and find a career where you can find meaning and purpose.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree and 8 years related experience, including experience working at a senior level.
• Experience cultivating, soliciting 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.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of relevant field.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, web browsers and CRP database.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field and 10+ years' fundraising experience at a high level.
• Experience in closing 6-7 figure gifts.
• Extensive management experience including ability to motivate and coach, lead, set objectives and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team. Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth.
• Experience in working closely with nonprofit boards, identifying, nominating, recruiting, orienting & onboarding new members.
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation and capital campaigns.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and translate it into clear, actionable frameworks for