Job Posting: Senior Development Director

Position Title: Senior Development Director
Location: Durango, Colorado or another Western Location (with a preference for Denver CO, Salt Lake City, UT or Albuquerque, NM)
This position reports to the Senior Philanthropy Director
Position Closes: August 4, 2023.

WHO WE ARE:

The Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF) is a national non-profit organization headquartered in Durango, Colorado, with staff in Northern and Southern California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Washington, DC. 

Established in 2007, CLF was founded on the belief that our public lands are best protected when there is a national network of local advocates working to advance a common conservation vision. CLF works hand-in-hand with 80 grassroots groups - our Friends Grassroots Network - to protect the National Conservation Lands, our nation’s newest collection of premier lands and waters under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s jurisdiction. These lands encompass 36 million acres and 2,400 miles of National Monuments and National Conservation Areas, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails and are found throughout the West and Alaska.

Our mission is to protect, restore, and expand the National Conservation Lands through education, advocacy, and partnerships.

Position Description:

Supervised by the Senior Philanthropy Director, the Senior Development Director is part of CLF’s senior leadership team and oversees the day-to-day fundraising team and operations. The Senior Development Director works collaboratively with the Executive Director, Senior Philanthropy Director, Senior Finance Director and colleagues to develop and implement fundraising strategies to achieve annual income and programmatic goals. The Senior Development Director has two direct reports: the Director of Donor and Funder Relations (who supervises the Director of Foundation and Corporate Giving) and the Development Associate.

This position requires an experienced fundraiser with a proven record of managing successful annual campaigns, cultivating relationships with donors, securing major gifts from foundations and individuals, utilizing data to plan and execute successful fundraising strategies and managing a high-performing team. The Senior Development Director commits to CLF’s mission, is a dynamic leader and is emotionally intelligent. This position requires outstanding database experience, written and oral communications skills, familiarity with nonprofit financials, people and project management skills – and an outlook that draws in and inspires others to support CLF’s goals. 

Responsibilities:

Management and Administration - 60%

• Lead the Development team in creating and implementing a comprehensive fundraising plan to achieve annual income and programmatic goals; monitor and interpret performance and trends and adapt the plan when necessary. 
• Supervise direct reports and provide the support needed for staff to execute their responsibilities effectively, including coaching and promoting professional development; promoting a strong team ethic and retain top talent.   
• Work with senior leaders and the Development team to develop and adhere to the annual organizational budget and maintain CLF’s financial health and superior ratings with charity rating organizations. 
• Oversee and improve database management including data reports and analysis to guide strategic fundraising decisions; ensure the team members are using the database to manage donor relationships in an accurate, timely and thorough manner.
• Work with the Development Associate to conduct donor research and explore new donor markets. 
• Actively participate and support CLF’s equity, inclusion, and access work to help ensure it becomes embedded within the team and continues to evolve as an organization-wide priority.
• Participate in team meetings, Board meetings and the CLF Friends Grassroots Network Summit and serve as a fundraising resource to donors, team members and partners.  
• Provide thought leadership for increased growth, opportunities for innovation, and efforts to increase diversity among donors and diversification of gifts.
• Design departmental and organizational retreats for shared planning, team building, and professional development.

Fundraising - 40%

• Maintain a portfolio of donors, including individuals, key foundations and corporate partners.
• Oversee Sustainer, Annual giving, and Mid-Level Gifts program; work collaboratively with Development Associate, Director of Donor and Funder Relationsand program staff to identify, cultivate, steward and solicit gifts from donors across the giving spectrum.
• Support the Foundation and Corporate giving program; align funding opportunities with CLF’s mission; review key letters of intent, reports and proposals to current and prospective funders and provide strategic guidance and oversight in developing additional grant proposals, reports and project budgets. 
• Oversee the Development Associate's work to organize and execute special events and multi-day field trips to enhance and cultivate relationships with current and prospective major donors.
• Work with the Development team to grow CLF’s base of support from individuals using traditional and trending forms of donor prospecting and engagement. 
• Develop a deep understanding of CLF’s program goals and strategies and inform funders of opportunities, progress and accomplishments.

Qualifications of a successful candidate: 

• Experience providing strategic direction, leadership and management of fundraising activities resulting in income and donor base growth. 
• Extensive management experience and administrative skills to organize, direct and motivate staff and volunteers.
• Strong orientation to data-driven decision-making and analysis.
• Discerning organizational and time management skills to guide strategic fundraising goals and report on results.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with an ability to work with various internal and external stakeholders
• Proven record of success cultivating, closing, administering and stewarding major gifts from foundations, corporations and individuals.
• Demonstrated experience with budget preparation, planning and resource management.
• Comfortable working remotely or in hybrid team-oriented environments, with the capacity to inspire cooperation among others.
• Ability to make decisions, resolve problems and work in a complex environment with the ability to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and the ability to clearly articulate CLF’s goals and strategies.
• Mission-driven and self-directed, possessing passion, idealism, integrity, intellectual curiosity, a positive attitude, high emotional intelligence and a sense of humor.
• Frequent travel and extended work hours may be required. A valid driver’s license is required.

Salary Range and Benefits: 

Salary Range: $100,000 - $120,000 (at the time of this posting, CLF is operating off of a 36-hour work week)

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; 401(k) plan with employer contribution; health, dental, and vision insurance plan; health and dependent care; Flex Spending program or Health Savings Account; life insurance; and short and long-term disability insurance.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and one-page cover letter stating their interest and/or experience by August 4, 2023. Please send in one PDF via email with your first and last name and “Senior Development Director” in the subject line to: [email protected]  No phone calls, please. 

The Conservation Lands Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of 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 reflects the assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.