Chief Development Officer

Re:wild launched in 2021, combining more than three decades of conservation impact by Leonardo DiCaprio and Global Wildlife Conservation, leveraging expertise, partnerships and platforms to bring new attention, energy and voices together. Collectively with our partners in more than 50 countries, in 2020 alone we worked to conserve over 45 million acres of wild places and to reverse the plight of 835 threatened species.

We worked with Indigenous communities to protect their Amazon home, brought Tasmanian Devils back to mainland Australia for the first time in 3,000 years, launched a $42 million rapid response fund with the EU, and rediscovered species lost to science for over 100 years.

But in order to truly rewild the world, we need to go further!

Position Overview

Re:wild seeks an innovative, experienced, and dedicated Chief Development Officer (CDO) to serve as Re:wild’s principal development officer and manager. The successful candidate will have strong leadership and managerial skills, and vast fundraising experience. The CDO will lead the planning, implementation, and execution of a comprehensive fundraising program with a proven track record of multimillion dollar annual development targets.

This is a high-profile opportunity for a dynamic fundraising professional with the ability to lead the philanthropic efforts of an international organization. The CDO will build out a strong annual giving / major gifts program to complement an existing and committed base of supporters. The CDO will focus on philanthropic giving from individuals, foundations, corporations, international organizations, and others to support Re:wild’s mission. The Development Team works closely with conservation staff to ensure fundraising efforts are well-aligned with programmatic priorities. The CDO will report to the CEO, working to achieve Re:wild’s goals in collaboration with Re:wild’s Board of Directors, staff, and external partners.

• Location: Austin, TX, preferred
• Travel: Frequent travel to meet with key stakeholders in the US, and infrequently internationally
• Compensation: Competitive salary dependent upon experience; excellent benefits package

Responsibilities 

Development

• Develops a balanced mix of donor sources and solicitation programs tailored to the needs of the organization that will enable it to attract, retain and motivate donors and fundraising volunteers.
• Develop and implement a major gifts program, in particular
• Coordination and solicitation of major gifts from various sources, including individuals, foundations, multilateral organizations, corporations, and governmental entities, among others
• Work closely with the Executive Team, staff, and Board Members to develop new relationships with funders and deepen existing ones

Development Program Management

• Plans, coordinates, and manages implementation of strategies and initiatives to develop donors and contributions to support the organization
• Ensure that Re:wild’s culture, systems and procedures support fund development and consistency with mission, values and plans
• Provide leadership, direction, and support for all team members, and directly supervise a multi-person team
• Foster innovative development efforts, including online fundraising, complex giving opportunities and fundraising events across the US
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in wildlife biology, management, and conservation

Communications and Marketing

• Work closely the Marketing and Communications team to build the organizational brand
• Develop and implement innovative and impactful online fundraising campaigns

Competencies / Qualifications

• Education / Experience: Will have at least ten years of experience in non-profit fundraising in a leadership role and a proven ability to secure substantial gifts. Experience in and/or knowledge of global conservation. Working knowledge of current trends in charitable giving, particularly in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving
• Gift Cultivation and Solicitation: Successful experience in asking for and closing major gifts of $100,000 or more and building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors and corporations. Ability to design, implement, and direct fundraising initiatives, including individualized cultivation, solicitation, and recognition strategies
• Revenue/Finance knowledge:  Able to manage a departmental budget and understand organization’s finances at a broad level to work in parallel with COO and Finance Director to accurately report gift projections for financial forecasting
• Innovation: Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention 
• Strategic Thinking: Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions 
• Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings 
• Managing People: Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills 
• Motivation: Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals
• Conservation minded: An innate desire to contribute meaningfully to the conservation of biodiversity and an ability and curiosity to continue learning about the natural world

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience and/or knowledge of current wildlife conservation issues and trends
• A strong reputation and network in conservation

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to email resume and cover letter, with subject line “Chief Development Officer”

At Re:wild, we are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and are taking steps to meet that commitment. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities.