Associate Director of Development

About the role

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. The Massachusetts Chapter believes in flexibility and as such, team members are working in a hybrid model. This position is full-time and based in Massachusetts. This position has an option of working from home or from our Boston office, with the expectation of at least 3 days/week in the Boston office or on donor/partner visits.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a portfolio of 50 – 85 donors, including donors and prospects with the capacity to give at least $100,000, once the portfolio is developed.
• Responsible for 40 – 75 visits and 150 – 250 moves annually.
• Once the portfolio has fully matured, annual fundraising goal of $2,000,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.
• In years one and two, in addition to appropriate revenue goals, the incumbent will be responsible for discovery-based metrics such as annual qualifications, quarterly outreach goals, and other discovery and performance metrics as assigned.
• Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to various groups important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
• Exercises sound judgment in donor strategy, relationship management, and fundraising activities that have implications across programs and organizational priorities.
• Direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
• Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements; be alert to ethical compliance issues.
• Financial responsibility for setting and meeting fundraising objectives, evaluating results, and developing corrective strategies.
• Maintain confidentiality of frequently sensitive and sometimes emotionally charged information.
• Able to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and resolve complex donor, project, or relationship-management issues while appropriately escalating matters that require additional review or approval.
• Periodical regional travel, sometimes at short notice, work long hours and weekends as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years related experience.
• Demonstrated success building and managing a pipeline of six- and seven-figure gift prospects and donors.
• Experience in building and maintaining sophisticated long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
• Experience in asking for and closing six and seven-figure gifts, including planned gifts and blended gifts.
• Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects simultaneously.
• Experience working with fundraising principles and practices.
• Experience collaborating with fundraisers and senior leaders across multiple business units and teams in a complex, matrix organization to achieve outcomes.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in current and evolving trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving.

Skills

• Ability to design and implement fundraising strategies, including cultivation, solicitation and recognition strategies.
• Ability to determine an individual’s interests, capacity and potential for helping the Conservancy meet its goals, and act appropriately to tie those interests with the Conservancy’s work.
• Ability to educate and inform prospective and existing donors about appropriate giving vehicles.
• Advanced knowledge of complex charitable gift planning.
• Demonstrated experience using listening, diplomacy, and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors and volunteers.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.

Benefits

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ. Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted.

Pay

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $114,000-$132,000. 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.

Schedule

This position has an option of working from home or from our Boston office, with the expectation of at least 3 days/week in the Boston office or on donor/partner visits.