Development & Communications Director

About the role

Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF), the county’s only county-wide land trust since 1977, seeks a dynamic, mission-driven senior fundraising professional as its Development & Communications Director (DCD). The successful candidate is a positive, outgoing individual who enjoys working collaboratively and is a natural, self-motivated leader who demonstrates confidence in moving plans into action.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising
  • Plan and execute MCF’s annual/comprehensive giving program and targeted fundraising campaigns.
  • Achieve budgeted revenue goals.
  • Identify, cultivate, maintain, and steward relationships with current donors, legacy society members, prospects, and other potential funding sources.
  • Create donor solicitation proposals and solicit major to principal gifts generally in the ranges of $1,000 to $1 million and above, as well as smaller recurring donations.
  • Build relationships with community stakeholders and engage volunteers to advance special fund development projects.
• Corporate and Foundation Relations and Grants
  • Develop and direct MCF’s corporate and foundation relations program, targeting diverse private funding opportunities and partnerships to achieve budgeted goals.
  • Develop and manage MCF’s public funding and grants program.
  • Strategize and write grant applications and consult with leadership and staff on grants/projects for budget development.
  • Steward grant funder and partner relationships and complete all reporting requirements.
• Special Events
  • Plan and execute with the Development and Event Marketing Manager MCF’s annual events program. Achieve budgeted revenue goals.
  • Provide strategic oversight to the Development & Event Marketing Manager to ensure special events that have significant fundraising potential and achieve the budget, including Spring/Fall for Conservation gatherings, annual Holiday Style Luncheon & Shopping Spree, and other special events.
  • Guide strategy and execute key functions of signature fundraising events:
    • Devise sponsorship, underwriting, and partnership opportunities.
    • Direct all communications, collateral, marketing, and advertising.
    • Track and report on revenue, expenses, and net for all events.
• Board of Trustees Engagement
  • Serve as the primary staff member to the Development and other committees of the Board as assigned by the Executive Director.
  • Create meeting agendas and Board reports that correspond with priorities of the committees and updates on MCF’s activities within those areas of special focus.
  • Review and edit meeting minutes and ensure timely distribution to committee members.
• Communications
  • Devise and maintain MCF’s overall communications plan, including budget, creating content, and strategy.
  • Direct all media, community relations, development and external communications, marketing, and messaging (e.g., website, newsletters, feature stories, print and digital advertising, signature event invitations and collateral, event talking points, branding and merchandise, annual reports, and crisis communications).
  • Coordinate with key staff and consultants on the design, printing, and distribution of marketing and communication materials.
• Finance/Operations
  • Work with colleagues to develop the annual development and communications/marketing program budgets with a close focus on income and expenditures.
  • Develop and manage the annual development budget (including fundraising events, grants, all donations, and marketing/communications).
  • Monitor and analyze development income and expenses and recommend changes, as necessary.
• Any other task assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; relevant graduate study or Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is a plus.
• At least 7-10 years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization, preferably in an environmental, scientific, or educational setting, with a demonstrated track record of success and progressive responsibility in fundraising.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Ability to work both independently but also must be a collaborative team player who will productively engage with coworkers, Board members, volunteers, and donors.
• Understanding of, and enthusiasm for, MCF’s mission.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency in DonorPerfect or other donor databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge).
• Adept at MS Office applications, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel locally.
• Attendance at Land Trust Rallies and other conferences as needed.

Pay

Salary range is $90,000 to $120,000 and commensurate with experience.