Director of Development

Director Of Development

The New Hampshire Director of Development directs all aspects of the Chapter's fundraising program, leading a team of five collaborative professionals to raise significant financial support for local, regional, and global conservation priorities. They lead the planning, implementation, and coordination of effective multi-year strategies that secure the financial resources from individuals, foundations, and corporations, and needed to support ambitious conservation goals in New Hampshire and around the world. They work in collaboration with conservation staff and experts, division- and organization-wide development staff, high-level volunteers, and others across a dispersed and complex organization.

The Director of Development will lead the development team to achieve a fundraising goal of at least $3.5M in annual philanthropic contributions, as well as capital and reserve funds, from New Hampshire-managed donor portfolios through an innovative flexible funding, outcomes-based fundraising approach. They will develop the resources and tools needed to articulate a clear and compelling case for support to The Nature Conservancy's mission and drive fundraising success for TNC's Global Campaign. As part of this global campaign, the Director of Development will lead the planning and execution of New Hampshire's upcoming local comprehensive Campaign, which is projected to raise at least $30M over five years.

The Director of Development engages in all individual and foundation gift functions, including donor prospecting, research and discovery, planned giving, major and principal gifts, grant writing, and special multi-year fundraising campaigns. They are responsible for the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of the Chapter's managed donors and top prospects. They design and execute strategies to bring a donor from membership to a gift at capacity, with success in developing substantive donor relationships and engaging and supporting natural partners in executing donor strategy.

The Director of Development will work with senior staff to establish and be accountable for fundraising goals. They are results-oriented and able to work collaboratively with colleagues, donors, and volunteers across a dispersed and complex global organization. They bring donor perspective to organizational decisions and ensure integration of conservation priorities within the Development Program.

The Director of Development leads a team of development professionals and are responsible for recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing development staff and nurturing effective collaboration with a geographically dispersed team.

The Director of Development establishes business and professional development goals for their direct reports and can be consulted for the entire development team to help provide a cohesive workplan. They share leadership responsibility with the State Director for building and engaging the Board of Trustees and staffs the Development Committee of the Board. They are responsible for building and maintaining a culture of philanthropy within the chapter. The Director of Development reports to the State Director and serves as an active member of The New Hampshire Core leadership team.

The Director of Development is responsible for leading and managing a comprehensive, multi-faceted fundraising program. Specific responsibilities for this position include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following areas and duties:

• Builds and maintains long-term relationships with major donors, foundations and corporations;
• Conceives, develops, leads, and manages annual and long-term fundraising plans and strategies in support of Chapter and organizational conservation and operating goals. Currently accountable for a team fundraising goal of approximately $3.5M million per year and growing.
• Oversees all major gifts functions, which include planned giving, principal gifts, donor prospecting and research, and special multi-year fundraising campaigns.
• Leverages centralized fundraising resources at the Conservancy, including membership and annual giving efforts for New Hampshire residents.

• Financial responsibility for setting and meeting fundraising objectives, evaluating results, and developing corrective strategies. Develop and administer Development team budget.
• Lead the Chapter's comprehensive campaign, launching in fall 2026, including driving the activity and engagement of volunteer leaders, leading multi-year donor strategies, and monitoring and reporting on campaign progress internally and externally.

Chapter Leadership

• Actively serves as a member of the Chapter's senior leadership team, working collaboratively with senior staff to develop and implement Chapter-wide vision and direction. They play an active role in strategic planning for all New Hampshire programs.
• Brings the voice of trustees and donors to Chapter leadership discussions and decisions to ensure fundraising strategies are consistently represented.
• Maintains strong relationship with conservation, external affairs and finance leadership in the Chapter to ensure collaborative understanding of sources and uses of funding and to honor donors.

Management & Mentoring

• Leads a team of fundraising professionals and unites that team around a common vision for success and concrete plan of action. Motivates, sets objectives, coaches and recognizes direct reports.
• Assists fundraisers with donor strategy development and implementation.
• Works collaboratively with other fundraising teams within the Northeast Division and throughout the organization to maximize the fundraising potential of shared donors.
• Leads new programs/initiatives that will ensure department and organization-wide goals and strategies are achieved.
• Implements and directs multiple projects, directing work of staff, managing budgets, setting deadlines, and ensuring accountability.

Board Leadership

• Co-manages the Board of Trustees with the State Director. Develops board meetings, retreats and events for maximum engagement, efficiency and productivity.
• Acts as lead strategist for growth in the Chapter's network of philanthropic relationships; staff the Development Committee of the Board and consult on the strategic recruitment of new Trustees.

General

• This is a hybrid position, generally working from our Concord or Newmarket offices two days per week.
• Travel frequently and on short notice, work long hours and weekends as needed.
• Maintains confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
• Develops and administers budget and fundraising objectives, evaluates results and develops corrective strategies as needed
• Ensures that programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for ethical compliance.
• Directs or participates in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
• Understands and conforms to all Conservancy gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.

Bachelor's degree and 7 years related experience.

Experience managing staff, leading a development team and developing a fundraising plan - 5 years minimum.

Experience in asking for and closing major or planned gifts of $100,000 or more.

Experience building and executing fundraising plans for a program or an organization.

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, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of charitable giving, particularly in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving.

Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

Effective training, coaching, and mentoring skills.

Passion for raising money and for identifying new prospective donors (individuals and foundations).

Proven ability to negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.

Effectively communicates via presentations, conversations, and documents.

Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Experience in managing a geographically dispersed team.

Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation.

Knowledge of advanced gift planning concepts.

Proficiency in synthesizing materials from multiple sources into a coherent and accurate summary.

Understanding of best practices in non-profit management.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $131,000 - $145,000 annually. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate's actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

The Nature Conservancy's mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We're rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for