Development Manager

At Hudson Taconic Lands (HTL), we work with the community to conserve the lands and waters of Rensselaer County, nurturing connections with nature for the people who live, work, and play here.

Do you find joy in successfully overseeing large, dynamic projects? Are you happy working both with data and directly with people? Do you love the outdoors and want to be a part of conserving it for future generations? Do you want to be a critical part of a small team and contribute to the success of a local, community-centered organization? If so, we would love to hear from you regarding the new role of development manager at Hudson Taconic Lands! You will work with HTL staff and volunteers to support Hudson Taconic Lands’ fundraising and development efforts, including creating and overseeing strategies for managing fundraising and capital campaigns.

The development manager is a permanent, full-time position with a starting salary range of $60-70,000 depending on experience. This is a hybrid position, with some office and some remote work (see job description for more details). HTL offers a competitive compensation package which includes generous paid sick and vacation time, employer-paid health insurance, FSA, and annual employer 401k contributions. This position will occasionally require participation in prescheduled evening and weekend meetings. Some travel will be required, usually for professional development opportunities. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled (if this job posting is up, then we are accepting applications.) Interviews will take place throughout March and April 2026, with an anticipated start date in the summer of 2026.

Position Overview

The Development Manager is a full-time position responsible for managing capital and fundraising campaigns, including creating and executing strategies to secure funding and manage donor relationships, as well as planning fundraising events and building community support to meet organizational goals. This position works closely with the senior management team to ensure a cohesive development strategy across all departments. A successful Development Manager is organized, creative, and capable of inspiring staff and volunteers to champion our mission.

Essential Functions:

Managing our Capital Campaign

HTL is preparing to launch a capital campaign that will span at least 2 years, possibly 3. The Development Manager will work closely with the Executive, Operations, and Communications Directors and Campaign chairs to keep the campaign on schedule and operating with a high level of visibility and momentum that engenders a sense of  excitement, optimism and confidence in achieving the campaign goal.

Major Gift Prospect Meetings

• Work with the Executive Director, staff and volunteers to schedule meetings with prospective donors, including email and phone correspondence to all people involved and subsequent calendar invitations and oversight. This includes making reservations, coordinating schedules for hikes or visits to properties, initiating a confirmation email or call the day before the meeting, and sending any necessary information to the donor before the meeting.
• Proactively assist the Executive Director and other campaign leaders in keeping the momentum up for meeting with donors. Make suggestions about possible meetings/engagement opportunities and encourage the campaign leaders to be proactive in reaching out to and following up with their donors.
• Prepare and customize materials needed for donor meetings, including creating physical and electronic packets. Also, keep track of which donors have received which information.
• Post-Meeting: Ensure donors are thanked appropriately and receive any follow-up action or materials promised at the meeting. Update Little Green Light (HTL’s donor management software) and other relevant records with meeting details and note any future next steps.

Prospective Donor Identification and Research

• Use our CRM and other data to identify and research prospective donors on an ongoing basis; Work with the campaign committee to develop and execute an outreach plan for prospective donors.

Campaign Committee Work

• Work with the Executive Director and campaign leaders to schedule committee meetings, attend each meeting and keep accurate notes, especially action items. Follow up with staff and volunteers about what they have agreed to do and provide them with whatever they need to get the task done.
• Prepare and distribute relevant materials and present updates.
• Work with staff and volunteers to plan and execute campaign-related events such as group outings, small cocktail-style parties and get-togethers at local restaurants or bars. This includes scheduling events, coordinating with others to create and send invitations, managing guest lists and supporting hosts before, during and after the events.
• Work closely with campaign chairs and support them as they manage the campaign volunteers.

Data Management

• Oversee campaign data management; work with other staff and volunteers to ensure that every campaign gift and pledge is managed seamlessly so donors are thanked within 72 hours of receiving the gift, in addition to receiving their IRS-mandated Acknowledgement Letter.
• Ensure each gift is credited and classified appropriately in our CRM and Quickbooks.
• Update campaign reports and records and ensure all relevant information is easily accessible for staff and campaign leadership.
• Maintain an updated list of naming opportunities (new properties, physical infrastructure, etc.).

Campaign Reporting and Coordination

• Develop and maintain an accurate report of campaign progress to date.
• Manage and report on the campaign budget
• Create and distribute regular reports to relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate with other staff to avoid conflicts with the gala committee or other fundraising efforts.

Communications and Public Relations Planning

• Assist in developing and executing, with the Campaign leadership and staff, a public relations/communications plan to keep the campaign in the public’s eye and to maintain its momentum, including local radio, digital, video and print opportunities.

General Development Management

• Manage donor research and coordination – regularly research current, new and potential donors, ensuring no donors are “left behind” and help identify members who could potentially join committees or even the Board of Directors.
• Take the lead to track metrics and data for all direct mail campaigns, including the annual cold mailing. Analyze this data, along with other staff, to identify new opportunities for fundraising.
• Engage with lapsed donors to support HTL's donor recovery efforts. Work with other staff and volunteers to organize well-established annual events such as our Woods and Water Heritage Circle Dinner, Fall
• Woodland Gala, and Spring Banquet.
• Work with the Communications and Operations Directors to strategize and plan fundraising-related communications and materials.
• Occasionally attend HTL programs.
• Document HTL activities, including photography, as needed.

Note: The Development Manager reports to the Executive Director and works both remotely from their home office
and at the HTL office as noted in more detail below.

Abilities, Skills, Qualifications:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent people skills and an ability to work with committees, colleagues and others;
• Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities;
• Availability to work occasional, prescheduled evenings and weekends, as required;
• Availability to travel occasionally for meetings, conferences and/or training;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs;
• Familiarity with our CRM, Little Green Light, is a plus, but not required. Training will be provided;
• Familiarity with DonorSearch and/or other donor research tools is a plus but not required.

Other Duties:

• As a member of a small team the Development Manager may also be asked to occasionally perform other duties as directed by the Executive Director. Duties will be assigned based on scheduling , strengths, aptitude and cross training needs.

Schedule and Work Location:

This position allows for a flexible schedule within the following framework:

1) The position is 40 hours per week;
2) Work on-site at the HTL office at least two days per week;
3) Attend HTL Board Meetings quarterly.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to email a statement of interest/cover letter and your resume in PDF format, following the naming guidelines below. We will need the name and contact information for 3 references if you are invited to apply.

If you have any questions or if you are interested in learning more about the position or the application process, please reach out to Bay Meyer at bay@hudsontaconic.org.

Please name your PDF files in the following formats:

YourLastName.YourFirstInitial Resume
YourLastName.YourFirstInitial Cover Letter
Email Subject Line: YourLastName.YourFirstInitial Dev Mgr

Hudson Taconic Lands, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are invited and encouraged to apply. This position does not require any advanced degrees or certifications.