Director of Development

~ The Consortium for Ocean Leadership is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization that represents more than 100 of the leading public and private ocean research and education institutions, aquaria and industry with the mission to advance research, education and sound ocean policy. ~ 

Position Overview

The Consortium for Ocean Leadership is pleased to announce the search for a Director of Development. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position. The position will report to the President and CEO.

The Director of Development is responsible for leading the organization's development operation and for creating and maintaining active and productive relationships with board members, donors, and prospects.

S/he will develop and implement a coherent, comprehensive development strategy and lead the organization in soliciting, securing and sustaining donors. In addition, the Development Director will working across the organization to support the development needs of existing programs, and cultivate and steward donors and sponsors for new programs, initiatives, and advocacy efforts on behalf of our members.

Responsibilities  

Fundraising and Development Function: 

• Create annual development strategy and implement and manage all fundraising activities including annual giving, special project campaigns, and other Ocean Leadership-related solicitations.
• Cultivate new donors and maintain existing donors through personal visits, phone calls, electronic communications, special events, and other communications vehicles.
• Identify proposal opportunities, and lead and support technical staff and program teams in proposal development.
• Track federal proposal deadlines and work with Ocean Leadership Finance & Admin team, Principal Investigators and program leads to ensure timely government grant submission.
• Organize donor/prospect events and follow up as needed, including assessing the return on investment for each event to inform planning processes for future events.
• Integrate a communications strategy with overall development plan.
• Create and implement a development training plan for Ocean Leadership staff, trustees, and volunteers.
• Conduct prospect research and develop profiles as needed.
• Create or adapt and maintain office and data systems, such as Salesforce, to support all Development projects and operations.
• Ensure donor and gift record-keeping. Oversee the management of databases and all records, files, and gift processing.
• Manage pledge reminder and acknowledgement programs.
• Advise CFO on unrestricted budgeting for development/fundraising activities.
• As part of the senior leadership of the organization, advise the CEO on organizational strategy and priority setting as it pertains to institutional advancement.
• Perform other tasks as assigned in support of the mission, vision, and objectives of the organization. 

Board of Trustees Relations: 

• Coordinate with the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees and develop strategies to initiate and meet aggressive fundraising goals.
• Assume responsibility for all Development reports to the Board and attend Board meetings. 

Qualifications 

Requirements: 

• Demonstrated experience in designing and managing successful development operation including annual giving, major gifts, foundation and institutional giving.
• A Bachelor's degree, plus a minimum of seven years professional fundraising experience, preferably in a scientific or environmentally focused nonprofit or a higher education institution.
• Experience with developing and maintaining productive working relationships with board members, donors, volunteers, and program and administrative staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work as a leader and as part of a team. Strengths in team building, delegation including a willingness to communicate openly, listen well, learn from others, and lead through persuasion.
• Familiarity with the ocean sciences and Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credentials a plus.
• Flexibility to attend events after regular business hours and ability to travel as needed. 

To Apply 

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email cover letter, résumé, salary requirement, and any other relevant application materials with the subject line, "Development Director". Or, mail your materials to: 

Human Resources
The Consortium for Ocean Leadership
1201 New York Ave NW FL 4
Washington DC 20005-3917