Development Director

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Wallowa Land Trust seeks a Development Director to help sustain and grow conservation work rooted in community, collaboration, and care for place. This role supports fundraising that advances land protection, stewardship, and meaningful partnerships across Wallowa Country. The position is designed for a strategic, behind-the-scenes leader who values long-term relationships, institutional continuity, and mission-driven impact.

• Reports to: Executive Director
• Status: Exempt, full-time, permanent position (36 hours/week)
• Location: Enterprise, Oregon. Hybrid work possible, with a minimum of 50% in-office presence.
• Compensation: $63,000–$68,000 annually, DOE. Health insurance, vision, dental, retirement, vacation, and other benefits included.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organizational Leadership & Strategy

• Serve on WLT’s Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy and aligning conservation, fundraising, and operational goals
• Lead the development and implementation of annual and multi-year fundraising plans with clear goals, deliverables, and metrics for success
• Design and maintain clear, documented fundraising systems, processes, and tools that ensure continuity, transparency, and organizational resilience over time
• Develop and manage the fundraising and outreach budget in coordination with the Executive Director • Contribute to annual organizational planning, goal-setting, and budgeting processes

Executive Director Fundraising Enablement

• Build and manage donor pipelines, engagement strategies, and tracking systems that support effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship by the Executive Director and Board
• Prepare donor research, briefing materials, talking points, and solicitation strategies to support Executive Director donor meetings
• Track donor engagement activity, follow-up actions, and next steps to ensure consistent and timely stewardship
• Coordinate scheduling, materials, and internal alignment to maximize the effectiveness of Executive Director donor interactions

Board Engagement & Culture of Philanthropy

• Serve as lead staff liaison to the Board of Directors and Development Committee, supporting board engagement in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Foster a strong culture of philanthropy across staff and board, building shared ownership of fundraising success

Donor Fundraising & Relationship Management

• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of donors and prospects, while prioritizing systems and processes that support long-term organizational fundraising success
• Develop and implement a Major Donor and Planned Giving Program appropriate to the organization’s size, capacity, and community context
• Support donor engagement through in-person meetings, written communications, events, and thoughtful follow-up

Grants Oversight & Coordination

• Provide strategic oversight of foundation and agency grant fundraising in collaboration with a long-term external grant writer, including proposal review, timeline management, internal coordination, and funder stewardship
• Coordinate internally to ensure program staff and leadership provide timely information, data, and reporting needed to support successful grant proposals and compliance

Communications & Campaigns

• Provide strategic leadership for fundraising-related communications and outreach, ensuring alignment between messaging, marketing materials, and fundraising goals
• Collaborate with staff and consultants to ensure communications effectively support development strategies
• Contribute to planning and implementation of future organizational fundraising campaigns and special initiatives
• Participate in regional, state, and national fundraising conversations related to broader conservation initiatives and partnerships

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Passion for the mission of Wallowa Land Trust and a commitment to community-based conservation
• Demonstrated track record of fundraising success, particularly in support of major gift cultivation and donor stewardship
• Strong strategic thinking and systems-building skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build trust through thoughtful listening, integrity, and follow-through
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail
• Experience using relational donor databases (e.g., DonorPerfect or similar systems)
• Experience collaborating on effective fundraising communications and marketing for nonprofits
• Proficiency with general office software
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting equity and inclusion in the workplace
• Cultural competence working with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities, and economic backgrounds

Also helpful, but not required:

• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential
• Experience working for a land trust or conservation-focused organization
• Experience with inclusive and equitable fundraising practices, including community-centered or movement-based approaches

TO APPLY 

Please click "Apply" below to email a single PDF with cover letter, resume and three references. Position open until filled.

Wallowa Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, or age. People of color, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply.