Job Posting: Senior Director of Major Gifts

Conservation Lands Foundation • May 1, 2026

The Conservation Lands Foundation is hiring a Senior Director of Major Gifts, a senior frontline fundraising role responsible for expanding CLF’s major gifts program and increasing overall fundraising capacity in support of the organization’s budget.


Position Title:  Senior Director of Major Gifts

Position Location: Remote and flexible within the U.S., near a major airport to support regular travel.

This position reports to the Chief Development Officer 

Approximate Start Date: August 26, 2026


WHO WE ARE: 
The Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF) is a national non-profit organization headquartered in Durango, Colorado. CLF is a team of 25 with staff based in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, DC.


Established in 2007, CLF was founded on the belief that our public lands are best protected when a national network of local advocates is working to advance a shared conservation vision. CLF works hand-in-hand with 90 grassroots groups - our Friends Grassroots Network - to protect the National Conservation Lands, our nation’s newest system of conserved lands and waters under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s jurisdiction. These lands encompass 38 million acres and 8,700 miles of National Monuments and National Conservation Areas, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails. National Conservation Lands are primarily located across the Western United States and Alaska.


Mission: To harness the power of community-led advocacy and the Friends Grassroots Network to protect, restore, and expand the National Conservation Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) through education, advocacy, and partnerships. 


POSITION DESCRIPTION

Managed by the Chief Development Officer, the Senior Director of Major Gifts is a senior frontline fundraising role responsible for expanding CLF’s major gifts program and increasing overall fundraising capacity in support of the organization’s $8.5M budget.


This role is focused on generating net-new funding through the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of new donors and upgrades, as well as re-engaging lapsed supporters. While the Senior Director will manage a select portfolio of existing donors, success in this role will be defined by the strength of the pipeline built and the ability to drive sustained, multi-year revenue growth.


The ideal candidate brings both strategic thinking and strong tactical execution. They are comfortable operating in an evolving environment, where systems and processes continue to improve, and are energized by building relationships, developing funding pathways, and closing gifts.

This is a high-impact opportunity to partner closely with leadership and play a central role in shaping the future of CLF’s major gifts program.


OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


Build and Grow the Major Gifts Pipeline

  • Identify, cultivate, and solicit new individual donors and family foundations with the capacity to give $25K+ annually.
  • Re-engage lapsed and underdeveloped donors and move them toward renewed investment and upgrades through personalized engagement plans.
  • Develop and execute strategies that drive multi-year commitments and increase giving.


Portfolio Advancement and Management

  • Manage a portfolio of approximately 50–75 donors and prospects, maintaining a focus on consistent and meaningful touchpoints.
  • Cultivate and build strong, trust-based relationships that deepen engagement and investment across the donor base.
  • Partner closely with the CDO on top-tier prospects and donors (100k +), providing the necessary research and coordination to facilitate high-level solicitations. 


Drive Revenue and Results

  • Contribute meaningfully to CLF’s major gifts revenue, building toward a portfolio generating $1.5M+ annually over time through disciplined stewardship and solicitation.
  • Maintain clear next steps and consistent forward movement across the portfolio. 
  • Collaborate with the development team to ensure revenue targets are met. 


Lead Strategic Donor Engagement

  • With support from the CDO and others on the Development team, design and host small, targeted donor gatherings in key regions.
  • Use in-person engagement as a core strategy for prospect development and relationship growth.


Leverage Networks and Organizational Strengths

  • Partner with the CDO, Board, Emeritus Board, and Leadership Circle members to open new doors and drive new donor engagement.
  • Translate programmatic priorities into clear and compelling funding opportunities, aligned with donor interests and values.


Operate with Discipline and Ownership

  • Maintain accurate, up-to-date records in the CRM (Little Green Light) to ensure data integrity, as well as moves management and goal tracking.
  • Contribute to forecasting, pipeline tracking, and performance reporting, providing the CDO, CEO, and development team with clear visibility into progress.
  • Bring a high level of ownership, activity, and follow-through to the Senior Director of Major Gifts role.


Collaboration with CLF staff 

  • Partner with program and leadership staff to connect donors to CLF’s work.
  • Support leadership engagement in donor strategy and relationship development. 
  • Participate in key organizational activities, including staff and board meetings. 


WHO YOU ARE: As a seasoned relationship builder, you bring the vision to architect a thriving major gifts program and the collaborative spirit to advance CLF’s mission. 


Qualifications may include:

  • 7+ years of progressive fundraising experience with a proven track record of identifying, cultivating, and securing five to six-figure gifts from individuals and/or family foundations.
  • Proven ability to originate new donor relationships and advance them to close. 
  • A self-motivated professional who thrives in a distributed, frontline role, with the discipline to prioritize high-potential opportunities. 
  • Exceptional relationship management skills with a talent for designing and executing creative cultivation and solicitation strategies that deepen donor engagement over time.
  • Experienced in partnering with leadership and board members to advance relationships.
  • A strategic thinker who operates with both independence and accountability, contributing to a team culture that balances high-stakes excellence with collective support and joy.
  • Experience building and managing a donor pipeline, including prospect research, wealth screening, and CRM use to support forecasting and growth (such as Little Green Light) to drive accurate forecasting and growth.
  • Highly organized with a proactive approach to follow-through, ensuring consistent momentum across a complex portfolio.
  • Familiarity and mission alignment with conservation, climate, or public lands work.
  • Grounded, collaborative, and aligned with a team that values both excellence and joy.
  • Sound judgment, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
  • Proficiency with CRM systems and standard workplace tools.
  • Readiness and ability to travel approximately once per month to engage with donors and represent CLF in key regions.


At the Conservation Lands Foundation, we are dedicated to building a community that centers equity and ensures the joy, healing, and beauty of public lands are accessible to everyone—regardless of identity, background, or life experience. This work is a journey that begins from within; we believe that to serve the land and its people effectively, we must first cultivate a workplace rooted in compassion, mutual respect, and a true sense of belonging. We bring this to life by nurturing a culture where our staff can show up as their full selves, allowing us to build genuine, lasting relationships with the diverse communities and partners we serve. Recognizing that equity is a continuous practice rather than a destination, we remain humble and engaged—committed to learning, unlearning, and evolving with empathy to ensure the conservation movement reflects the rich diversity of all who love and care for our planet.


Salary Range:  $100,000 - $120,000


To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a one-page cover letter as a single PDF to majorgifts-director@conservationlands.org.


Please ensure that the email subject line and the PDF file name are formatted as Firstname_Lastname-Senior Director. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM MST on May 20 to be considered.


Please, no phone calls.


Benefits Overview:

The Conservation Lands Foundation offers a competitive compensation package with an organizational culture that supports staff well-being and professional development. Benefits include generous vacation and sick time; a 401(k) plan with employer contributions; health, dental, and vision insurance; health and dependent care; a Flex Spending program or Health Savings Account; Life Insurance; and short- and long-term disability insurance.


Note: Research shows that women and people of color often apply only when they meet 100% of the qualifications.  Please consider applying even if you do not have all of the qualifications noted above.


The Conservation Lands Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the process. Please advise in writing at the time of application.

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

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