Director of Development

Director of Development – Arizona Chapter The preferred location for this position is Phoenix, Arizona. The Director of Development is responsible for directing all aspects of one or more development functions, securing significant financial resources to support conservation goals in Arizona and the Western United States and Canada Division. Development functions may include chapter development program or individual giving, planned giving, foundation relations, and/or corporate giving program. The Director will work toward meeting the strategic priorities of the program by designing, developing, and managing plans and strategies, focusing on long‑range priorities, and communicating a broad vision to others. They establish and monitor activity‑level benchmarks and measures of success, manage the development and implementation of a strategic, integrated, and collaborative approach, and facilitate strategic dialogues with clients and senior‑level stakeholders. Key Responsibilities Oversees a comprehensive Development program that secures significant financial resources from foundations, corporations, or individuals within the state/country to support conservation goals in Arizona and globally. Manages Development staffing and culture (hiring, coaching/mentoring, training, performance, terminations, workload capacity, etc.). Develops and implements a Development program strategy consistent with the Chapter’s strategic plans, and annual work plans and project management plans. Manages a portfolio of major donors with an associated fundraising goal in partnership with the State Director. 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, troubleshoots 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. Serves as a critical member of the Chapter Leadership Team and works with development directors across the Western US and Canada Division, supporting 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 Directors of Communications and Marketing, Strategy, 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. Completes essential management and administration work: timely and accurate completion of administrative functions such as timecards; expense reports; employee performance evaluations/check‑ins; self‑performance documentation. Serves as the staff liaison to the AZ Board of Trustees’ Development and Finance Committees; attends meetings locally, throughout Arizona and nationally. Accountable for overall fundraising goals of $8‑11 million a year through a fundraising department or development program. Manages a development department comprising 8‑11 fundraising and operations staff, including recruitment, retention, professional development, and setting stretch objectives. Designs and directs complex and diversified projects; coordinates work of other professionals, manages budget, and ensures program accountability. Develops and administers a $2‑million department budget and fundraising objectives, evaluates results, and develops corrective strategies as needed. Directs 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 to enhance overall performance in accordance with short and long‑term objectives. Maintains confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information. Makes strategic decisions that may have program‑wide impact and may bind the organization financially or legally. Plans and leads new programs/initiatives to ensure department and organization‑wide goals are achieved. Travels up to 20% time primarily within Arizona, some within the U.S., and occasionally works long hours and weekends. 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 multidisciplinary 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 team understanding. Proven success in asking for and closing major gifts and building and maintaining long‑term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations, and corporations. Possesses a working and effective understanding of the basics of charitable gift planning and knowledge of more advanced gift planning concepts a plus. Superb communication and presentation skills. Possesses relationship‑building and business cultivation expertise. Advanced understanding of best practices in fundraising and nonprofit management. Multilingual skills and multicultural or cross‑cultural experience appreciated. Science background and experience helpful. Prior experience working within a large complex institution or nonprofit organization. Proficiency in synthesizing materials from multiple sources into a coherent and accurate summary. Salary Information The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $157,000 – $180,000. This range applies to candidates whose country of employment is the United States. The preferred location for this role is Phoenix, Arizona. Actual pay within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Equal Opportunity Employer The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law. The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process. TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to View email address on click.appcast.io with Request for Accommodation in the subject line. This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy‑owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers". Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record. TNC offers a comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other life and work well‑being benefits. #J-18808-Ljbffr