Director of Development, Leadership Giving

About The Everglades Foundation

The Everglades Foundation is committed to the restoration and protection of America’s Everglades through science, advocacy, and education. Founded in 1993 by two outdoor enthusiasts – Paul Tudor Jones II and the late George Barley – The Everglades Foundation works tirelessly to bring people together and provide a powerful bipartisan voice for Everglades restoration. We advocate for solutions rooted in science while empowering people with the knowledge of the importance of the Everglades ecosystem.

The Foundation’s team includes renowned scientists, experienced educators, policy experts, and professionals in communications, human resources, finance, technology, and fundraising. By coupling this breadth of expertise with a passion for restoration, The Everglades Foundation is leading the effort to restore and protect the flow of clean freshwater to the Everglades. The Everglades Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a responsible employer that seeks to recruit and retain outstanding, high-performing professionals who are at the top of their fields to thrive in a dynamic, mission-driven culture committed to excellence, innovation, collaboration, and diversity. The Foundation offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package including twelve paid Federal holidays; ample Paid Time Off; a variety of health, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental insurance options; retirement plan and matching employer contributions; and maternity and parental leave.

Join us in our pursuit of completing the world’s largest ecosystem restoration project.

Position Summary

The Director of Development, Leadership Giving brings proven experience stewarding annual donors and securing major gifts of $25,000 and above, including multi‑year and six‑figure commitments. The Director manages all phases of the gift cycle—identifying prospects, developing cultivation strategies, engaging volunteers and board members, soliciting support, and maintaining strong donor stewardship.

The Director proactively strengthens existing donor relationships and builds new ones. This role leads development projects, collaborates with colleagues to achieve strategic goals, and tracks and reports progress to senior leadership and the Board of Directors.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Development (AVP) and working closely with the Vice President of Development, the Development Team, executive leadership, staff, and Board members, the Director applies creativity and initiative to advance donor engagement and support major event-related fundraising efforts.

Primary Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the Director of Development, Leadership Giving include:

Fundraising Strategy

Work with the Associate Vice President of Development and the team to develop and implement strategies for leadership‑level donor acquisition and retention. Provide support in drafting and refining donor communications. Cultivate and sustain long‑term relationships with donors and prospects, including coordination with members of the Board of Directors. Employ structured “moves‑management” strategies to identify new prospects, advance them through the solicitation process, elevate giving levels, and ensure effective stewardship of event donors and sponsors.

Focus Areas

The Director has primary development responsibility for the Miami-Dade and Broward region, including the growth and management of the Miami Advisory Council, which is comprised of leading donors in the area. The Director also oversees the programming and engagement with the Foundation’s Chairman’s Advisory Council, consisting of leadership‑level donors.. This regional portfolio requires focused engagement with individual donors, grantmaking foundations, and corporate partners.

Build a Robust Donor Base

Develop and manage a personal portfolio of major donors and high‑capacity prospects ($10,000–$100,000 annually) to cultivate, solicit, and steward. Provide exemplary donor relationship management and ensure full adherence to all gift agreement requirements. Direct and coordinate special events and airboat tours that advance cultivation and stewardship objectives.

Communications & Follow-up

Provide timely, accurate responses to donors and deliver comprehensive updates on the Foundation’s programs, initiatives, and activities. This function requires close coordination with the Science, Advocacy/Policy, and Education teams, as well as ongoing collaboration with the communications, finance, and technical/data teams to ensure all donor communications are consistent, precise, and reflective of organizational priorities.

CRM Use & Expertise

Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and current donor and event records in the Foundation’s CRM system (Salesforce). Utilize the CRM to track, measure, support and inform donor engagement, cultivation, and stewardship strategies.

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE or equivalent certification preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience with demonstrated success fundraising for a mid- to large‑sized nonprofit or equivalent related experience.
• Proven ability to solicit and steward gifts of $25,000 and above, including multi‑year and six‑figure commitments, with a thorough understanding of all stages of the gift cycle.
• Experience with fundraising strategies and techniques related to annual event giving and major gifts.
• Proficiency with fundraising databases and experience tracking, analyzing, and reporting progress to management.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Personal Attributes

• Ability to work collaboratively and lead through influence across the organization to drive initiatives and success
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Commitment to the educational mission of the Everglades Foundation and ability to communicate it confidently and persuasively
• Exceptional writing and verbal communications and organizational skills
• Skills and experience with grant writing and grant management
• Skills and experience with prospect research
• Knowledge of estate-based charitable giving
• Experience with and willingness to coordinate donor-focused events
• Ability to work independently on complex projects while also maintaining close connection with co-workers
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
• Demonstrated analytical and strategic thinking capabilities
• Integrity, professionalism, and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Familiarity and experience with the Miami and Broward philanthropic communities is preferred

Mental and Physical Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the above minimum qualifications and be able to perform each of the essential duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the physical and mental requirements of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job.

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to concentrate and analyze information for extended periods of time
• Able to proactively solve problems and think analytically
• Ability to make sound, prompt decisions
• Ability to read and write
• Manual hand dexterity required to operate IT devices and complete paperwork
• Endurance to work long hours, including nights and weekends

Accountability

The Director reports directly to the Associate Vice President of Development and coordinates closely with members of the Development team and other Foundation staff.

Location and Schedule

This is a full‑time, on‑site position based at the Foundation’s main office in Palmetto Bay, Florida. Regional and national travel is required for Board meetings and other organizational events. Evening and weekend work is expected, as needed. Limited remote work may be permitted at the Foundation’s discretion.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer that affords equal protection against discrimination to job applicants and employees. The Foundation seeks to ensure that qualified applicants will have an equal opportunity with respect to all employment practices regardless of their race,color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, status as a victim of domestic or dating violence, source of income, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

How to Apply

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Human Resources, at View email address on click.appcast.io