Director of Development

~ The Perfect Earth Project (PEP) is a USA-based nonprofit organization that promotes toxin-free land management around the world. PEP operates from a main office in East Hampton, New York and a center of operations in Pedasí, on the Azuero Peninsula, about 100km west of Panama City, Panama. ~

The mission of the Perfect Earth Project is to preserve the earth's ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and promote healthy communities by helping people to make informed decisions, take sustainable actions, and share knowledge.

United States operations of PEP focus on raising awareness to the dangers of lawn and landscape chemicals and providing education to land mangers and homeowners on how maintain landscapes without toxins. Panama operations focus on sustainable land use and developing simple, replicable models for sustainable agriculture, architecture, and waste management (www.azueroearthproject.org).

Position Profile

PEP seeks to bring on an experienced and passionate professional to provide insight and organizational skills in developing strategies that will build on the successful fund-raising track record PEP has established to date.

The Director of Development (DoD) will work closely with PEP president Edwina von Gal and program staff in the United States and Panama and be responsible for creating long and short term communication, social media and public relations strategies; developing mechanisms to track organizational success; cultivating external relationships and collaborations with educational institutions; and raising funds from individual, corporate, foundation, and government supporters.

The Director will work from home in or near New York City (with bi-weekly travel to East Hampton), or in the East Hampton office. Candidates must have permanent legal work status in the USA. A minimum of one introductory trip to Panama will be expected of the DoD, plus attendance at relevant functions, conferences and seminars in the United States.

Primary Responsibilities 

The DoD will be responsible for planning and implementing an annual communications, marketing, and fundraising strategy. Specifically, the DoD will: 

Fundraising and Development 

• Working closely with the President and with input from Program Directors, create a fundraising case statement to solicit support from various funders (individual, foundation, corporate, government);
• Develop a campaign to reach prospective corporate and small business funders;
• Work closely with the President to solicit support and major gifts from individual donors;
• Conduct prospect research, prepare and submit applications and maintain a calendar of grant applications, and reporting;
• Manage ongoing communication with prospects and donors year-round;
• Production and dissemination of quarterly and annual donor reports;
• Planning and coordination of a bi-annual fundraising event in East Hampton;
• Planning and coordination of inaugural fundraising event in Panama; and
• Planning and coordination of fundraising events in NYC. 

Communications/Marketing /Public Relations 

• Direct the organization's online presence through website maintenance, content development, and social media efforts; and
• Design and manage local events in Panama and United States to raise interest and awareness among various audiences. 

Collaboration Development/Board Liaison/Financial Reporting 

• Define and execute institutional policies including but not limited to personnel and internal communications policies, information-sharing and IT solutions, and document retention policies;
• Work with president and treasurer to prepare annual budget and projection for presentation to board and for use in annual reports; monitor cash flow and expenditures of grants and restricted donations; and lead development of quarterly and annual financial reporting to the Board of Directors
• Serve as a liaison to the Board of Directors, provide regular reports, develop meeting agendas, manage meeting logistics, and encourage greater Board participation;
• Collaborate with President on Board development and cultivation; and
• Build on PEP successes with students and scientists by forming more educational partnerships with target research institutions. 

Qualifications 

The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of proven fundraising and marketing experience in the environmental non-profit sector and a strong personal passion for the environment. 

We are seeking an individual with these qualifications: 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• A passionate, life-long personal and professional commitment to the environment;
• A fundamental understanding of a mission-driven community-based organization;
• Experience implementing an annual fundraising campaign to engage foundation, government, corporate and individual contributors;
• Knowledge of, and contacts within, environmental organizations and environment based philanthropy;
• Experience garnering media coverage in print, broadcast and social media outlets;
• Experience marketing and communicating through websites and social media;
• Experience implementing direct marketing, promotions and fundraising events;
• Experience working with executive boards and organizing committees; and
• A strong desire to meet new people and develop relationships on behalf of PEP. 

Personal skills and attributes include: 

• Creative, imaginative, and energetic, a good networker;
• Ability to formulate and execute effective strategies;
• A strong track record of building effective relationships in diverse environments among diverse constituencies;
• Excellent process manager, problem solver and decision-maker;
• Experience in start-up environments;
• Purposeful and compelling communicator in oral and written presentations;
• Self-directed, organized and entrepreneurial; can work autonomously with confidence but also seeks out opportunities for collaboration to advance goals; and
• Willingness to travel to meet funders, partners and local constituencies. 

Compensation: Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with background and experience. The organization offers a benefits package that includes medical insurance and vacation time.

To Apply 

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email your résumé and a cover letter detailing: 

• Your experience (paying special attention to qualifications);
• Match of skills to the position;
• Knowledge of environmental philanthropy:
• Salary requirements; and
• Availability. 

Note: No telephone inquiries will be accepted. All applications will be acknowledged. 

~ The Perfect Earth Project is an equal opportunity employer ~