Director of Development

About the role

The Director of Development is responsible for directing all aspects of one or more development functions, securing significant financial resources to support conservation goals in Arizona and the Western United States and Canada Division. Development functions may include a chapter development program, individual giving, planned giving, foundation relations, and/or corporate giving programs.

Responsibilities

• Directs all aspects of one or more development functions, securing significant financial resources to support conservation goals in Arizona and the Western United States and Canada Division.
• Works toward meeting the strategic priorities of the program by designing, developing, and managing plans and strategies.
• Facilitates strategic dialogues with clients and senior-level stakeholders, probing to identify key issues and requirements, negotiating and developing solutions, and synthesizing a plan of action tailored to audience.
• Manages the development and implementation of a strategic, integrated, and collaborative approach to maximize success, including organizing communications.
• Works closely with and manages relations with key stakeholders including senior management, internal teams, donors, priority vendors and volunteers to achieve program goals.
• Presents analysis and recommendations to the Board of Trustees’ assigned committees.
• Leads the AZ Business Unit’s (AZBU) efforts to raise funds at the western, national and global levels, with a goal of further increasing the percent of funds raised for work outside Arizona.
• Leads a $60+ million-dollar campaign, planned to launch publicly in 2027, overseeing relationships with trustees, including stewardship and giving.
• Provides high-level leadership and support to Chapter’s Development programs.
• Manages the Development staffing and culture (hiring, coaching/mentoring, training, performance, terminations; workload capacity, etc.).
• Develops and implements a Development program strategy that is consistent with the Chapter’s strategic plans.
• Develops and implements annual work plans and project management plans consistent with best practices for philanthropy and TNC’s “Philanthropy by Design.”
• Leads a select group of prospects and donors, with an associated fundraising goal.
• Fosters a culture of shared leadership that operates in accordance with TNC’s values.
• Empowers staff, trouble-shoots barriers, and communicates and manages to ensure results.
• Communicates and manages to ensure results.
• Promotes cross-functional work across the Chapter.
• Collaborates with other TNC business units, division, regional or global staff to advance conservation / philanthropy priorities.
• Serves as a catalyst for adaptive, creative approaches and ideas; encourages big-thinking and responsible risk-taking to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends.
• Serves as a critical member of the Chapter Leadership Team and works with development directors across the Western US and Canada Division.
• Supports the State Director and Chapter priorities; helps assess and respond to opportunities and challenges in a timely manner; provides an internal operational presence to enable the State Director to focus on key external relationships.
• Coordinates closely with development staff across the Western US and Canada Division to raise funds for division priorities.
• Works closely with Director of Communications and Marketing, the Director of Strategy, the Director of Finance and Operations and other members of the Leadership team.
• Serves on or leads various project teams to meet Chapter Leadership Team and Western US and Canada Division objectives.
• Completes essential management and administration work: Timely and accurate completion of administrative functions such as timecards; expense reports; employee performance evaluations/check-ins; self-performance documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience, including experience working at a senior level.
• Experience supervising a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience closing major gifts.
• 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 managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of relevant field.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, web browsers and CRP database.