Development Director

WildEarth Guardians is a regional conservation organization committed to preserving and restoring native wildlands, wildlife and wild rivers in the American West. The Development Director reports to the Associate Director and will initiate and implement development strategies to enable the organization to meet its aggressive and growing budget goals ($2.5M in 2010). These efforts include major donor and capital campaigns,  foundation and government grants, and overseeing the planned giving campaign.

Position Overview:

This is a Director position, and as such the Director is expected to provide leadership and be self-directed with input from their supervisor. The Director will work with the Executive Director, Associate Director and Board of Directors to implement the fundraising plan. The person in this position will focus on owning the product for foundation management and major donor management. In addition, the Director will support the Associate Director on events.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure grant calendar for both reports and proposals is maintained and met
• Research and leverage new foundation grant opportunities
• Interact with conservation staff to better understand and evaluate potential funding opportunities
• Work with Executive Director and Associate Director for foundation content and contacts
• Track foundation giving by program
• Identify, research/prospect, cultivate and solidify relationships with new and established contributors; analyze historic patterns of giving and develop strategies to encourage new large gifts and identify new sources of revenues, as well as increase current contributions; work with the Executive Director and appropriate staff/Board members to arrange meetings and directly solicit gifts from major prospects and maintain relationships through mail, phone, or in-person contacts
• Be able to speak to any of WG's conservation efforts, engage members and major donors on any WG program
• Understand and participate in member management
• Participate in event ownership
• Work with Executive Director and Associate Director for major donor content and contacts
• Work with Communications Director to ensure coherent major donor and foundation communications
• Coordinate foundation grant writing with development and conservation staff
• Write and proofread fundraising materials as needed by Executive, Associate, and Communications Directors
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor
• Oversee the administrative support for development and membership, including ensuring that donor and member acknowledgements are completed and appropriate records, prospect lists, and mailing lists are maintained.
• Participate in special assignments or projects as representative of the organization.
• Participate in development-related functions, such as marketing, design/preparation of print materials, event logistics, and post-event follow up based on individual skills and office needs.
• Support a comprehensive planned-giving program.

Qualifications:

Some travel around the United States and expect flexible work hours, including weekend and evening hours.

Compensation: WildEarth Guardians offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including full health and dental insurance, paid vacation, health leave and paid holidays.  Starting salary will be $45,000.

To Apply:

Please send the following materials electronically: cover letter explaining how your experiences and skills match this position; résumé; writing sample; and contact and relationship information for 3 references to Carol Norton, Associate Director.

WildEarth Guardians works to defend the wildlands and wildlife of the American West. 

Additional details and information about WildEarth Guardians can be found on our website.

WildEarth Guardians is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of differences based on culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.