Director of Development

Director Of DevelopmentConnectly Recruiting has been exclusively engaged by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF) to identify their inaugural Director of Development. This is a first-of-its-kind role at a 20-year-old conservation foundation — and a rare opportunity to build something from the ground up.LAWFF is the private fundraising arm of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Its programs connect people to Louisiana's natural resources through youth archery, hunter education, whooping crane reintroduction, habitat conservation, and more. The Foundation is now at an inflection point — actively building its strategic vision, rebranding, and ready to unlock a level of corporate and major-gift fundraising it has never pursued at scale.Louisiana's energy, industrial, and corporate communities represent an enormous, largely untapped pool of conservation-minded sponsors. The right person can unlock that potential — and put LAWFF on the map in a way it has never been before.The ideal candidate will reside in Louisiana, or a neighboring state (MS, TX, AR) with ability to travel extensively meeting with donors and prospects statewide and regionally.WHAT YOU'LL DOBuild LAWFF's development function from the ground up — strategy, structure, and executionCultivate and close major gifts and corporate sponsorships across Louisiana and beyondServe as LAWFF's chief ambassador, representing the Foundation to donors, partners, and the publicPartner with board members on donor cultivation, introductions, and asksExpand LAWFF's visibility across Louisiana's conservation, corporate, and philanthropic communitiesTravel extensively (50-75%) to build relationships statewide and regionallyWHAT YOU BRING4+ years in fundraising or development with demonstrated major gifts or corporate sponsorship successA proven ability to build donor relationships from scratch and close significant asksA self-starter mindset — you own your pipeline, your calendar, and your resultsGenuine connection to hunting, fishing, conservation, or outdoor recreation cultureExecutive presence and strong communication skills, written and verbalLouisiana market knowledge preferred; willingness to be based in or travel regularly to Louisiana requiredWHY THIS ROLEHigh autonomy — the board is engaged and supportive, not micromanagingReal access — board members with direct corporate relationships ready to open doorsMeaningful mission — LAWFF's work touches every corner of Louisiana's natural heritageGrowth trajectory — as the Foundation grows, this role grows with itThis is an overview drafted by Connectly Recruiting. Official job description will be provided.