Senior Associate Director of Development

The Nature Conservancy is a science-based conservation organisation working to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends. The Senior Associate Director of Development works closely with the development team to plan, implement and coordinate effective multi-year strategies for gift prospects, including corporate, foundation and individual donors. The role manages a portfolio of qualified donors, builds strong relationships, and is responsible for direct asks toward both global and local priorities to meet funding needs. This position is based in Michigan, with Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids or Southeastern Michigan markets preferred.

The director applies complex principles of donor strategy, discusses assets, and listens for opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts such as planned gifts and trade lands. They provide opportunities for donors to receive recognition and increase future giving, engage appropriate partners in the field and at the Worldwide Office, and keep them apprised of interactions, issues and concerns. They can describe the organisation’s programmes in detail, discuss legacy giving opportunities with confidence, understand project budgets and may build proposal budgets, develop referral networks, and manage formal or informal networks of volunteers. The role requires use of the organisation’s donor database and frequent travel on short notice, along with long and flexible hours when needed.

Once the portfolio is developed, the director manages 80 to 100 donors, including donors with the capacity to give over 250,000 US dollars, and is responsible for 100 visits and 180 to 300 moves annually, with an annual fundraising goal of 1,500,000 US dollars or more plus a goal for bequest notifications. The role acts independently and in the supervisor’s stead as needed, exercises independent judgement to identify and solve problems, and makes decisions that may have programme-wide impact and may bind the organisation financially or legally. It involves handling confidential information with sensitivity, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external donor, legal and IRS requirements, working within a budget, managing and implementing multiple projects, directing the work of staff, and potentially supervising support or administrative staff. The director may direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high-profile or sensitive agreements.

Candidates need a bachelor’s degree and six years of related experience or an equivalent combination, with experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents, asking for and closing gifts of 50,000 US dollars or more, managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors, working with cross-functional teams (preferably in a large non-profit), and applying fundraising principles and practices. Training or coursework in current trends in charitable giving across capital campaigns, major gifts or planned giving is also expected. Desired qualifications include multilingual and cross-cultural experience, the ability to design and manage individualised cultivation, solicitation and recognition plans, working knowledge of charitable gift planning, and a proven ability to negotiate complex, high-profile or sensitive agreements.

The starting pay range for a USA-based candidate is generally 110,000 to 120,000 US dollars, with actual pay depending on factors including location, qualifications, skills and experience. Benefits include health care, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8 per cent employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage and an employee assistance programme. The position requires a valid driver’s licence and compliance with the organisation’s Auto Safety Program, including completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement. Recruiting follows a rolling interview process, and the role will be unposted once a strong candidate pool is identified, so early application is encouraged.

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