Director of Advancement

Position Overview

Irvine Nature Center seeks a strategic, entrepreneurial, and results-oriented Director of Advancement to lead all fundraising, marketing, communications, and revenue-generation efforts for the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a comprehensive advancement strategy focused on increasing philanthropic and earned revenue.

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees to establish fundraising priorities, revenue goals, and growth strategies.

• Build and strengthen a culture of philanthropy and revenue accountability across the organization.

• Track and analyze fundraising, marketing, attendance, and engagement metrics to drive decision-making and performance.

• Serve as staff liaison to the board Development Committee and support board engagement in fundraising and donor cultivation.

• Lead all fundraising initiatives, including:

  • Major gifts
  • Annual giving
  • Corporate sponsorships and partnerships
  • Foundation and institutional giving
  • Planned giving
  • Campaign fundraising
  • Special events and donor engagement

• Manage a portfolio of major donors and high-capacity prospects.

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, sponsors, and institutional funders.

• Partner closely with the Executive Director and Board on donor strategy and major gift solicitations.

• Develop strategies to diversify and grow contributed revenue streams.

• Oversee donor stewardship and engagement efforts to strengthen long-term relationships and retention.

• Lead, supervise, mentor, and grow the Advancement team.

• Evaluate departmental structure, workflows, systems, and staffing needs to support organizational growth.

• Build a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing advancement culture focused on results.

• Oversee advancement operations, donor systems, reporting, and data integrity.

• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate gift processing, reconciliation, and reporting.

• Develop and manage departmental budgets, forecasts, and revenue projections.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in fundraising, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, business administration, or related field.

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience in advancement, fundraising, marketing, communications, or related fields.

• Demonstrated success growing fundraising revenue and securing major gifts.

• Proven experience developing marketing strategies that increase audience engagement, participation, and revenue.

• Strong understanding of integrated fundraising, marketing, and communications strategy.

• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Strong strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and project management abilities.

• Experience supervising staff and building collaborative teams.

• Ability to analyze data and use metrics to drive strategy and performance.

• High degree of professionalism, initiative, discretion, and sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in environmental, educational, cultural, or mission-driven nonprofit organizations.

• Experience leading or supporting a capital campaign.

• Knowledge of CRM and fundraising systems such as Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar platforms.

• Experience with digital marketing, audience development, and revenue-generating campaigns.

• Interest in environmental education, conservation, nature-based learning, or community engagement.