Director of Development

Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) seeks to fill the new position of Director of Development. Located in Groton, Massachusetts, NRWA is an award-winning nonprofit environmental organization founded in 1969. The Association's mission is to work for a healthy ecosystem with clean water and open spaces for human and wildlife communities, where people work together to sustain mutual economic and environmental well-being in the watershed. The Association provides water protection, land stewardship and environmental education programs in 31 communities over 538 square miles in north central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. The watershed provides drinking water for over one million people.

The Nashua River was used for grain and lumber production and to manufacture paper, textiles and shoes. When the Clean Water Act of 1965 was passed, it was one of the most polluted rivers in the nation. NRWA was established in 1969 to educate, advocate and organize for the protection of the watershed's natural resources, and today the river is vastly improved. NWRA's River Resource Center provides environmental education through innovative programs for over 8,500 students and adults a year. The Association also monitors water quality, leads land stewardship initiatives and works with citizens, municipal officials, organizations and businesses. The watershed offers boating, fishing, walking and bird watching on nearly 8,500 acres of protected riverfront land and sustains many scenic and fragile ecosystems.

NWRA currently has a professional staff of nine full-time equivalents and an eighteen member Board of Directors. In 1995, the Association developed a long-range plan for 1995 to 2020 called Vision for the Nashua River Watershed: A Guide for the Next Quarter Century through an extensive community process. A Five-Year Business Plan was launched in 2004, and a One Year Strategic Action Plan is in place for 2005-06. The Association is the lead agency in the "Protecting Tomorrow's Water for Today" partnership project that was awarded one of fourteen Targeted Watershed grants nationally by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Position:

The fiscal year 2006 development goal of $315,000 includes contributions from individuals, corporations and events. It is part of the overall budget of $900,000 which also includes program fees, grants and contracts. The Director of Development will report to the Executive Director and will be involved in strategic planning and coordination of all aspects of development with particular focus on Major Gifts. The Association's development activities currently also include Membership, Corporate Support, Events, and Grants. These activities are carried out by a Staff Development Team, with support from the Board. A small endowment, the Fund for the Future, provides support for special projects and capital needs and provides an opportunity for planned giving.

The Staff Development Team currently includes a part-time Development Associate and portions of the Executive Director, Communications Associate and Office Administrator's time. It is anticipated that government and select corporate and foundation grants will be managed by the Executive Director for the foreseeable future. Recent events included an auction, concerts and dances, and story-telling presentations

Responsibilities of the Director of Development:

• Review and revise the NRWA 5-Year Business Plan.  
• Develop Annual Plans for a full slate of development activities including Major Gifts, Membership, Events, Corporate and Foundation Support and Grants.  
• Assume primary responsibility for developing and implementing a comprehensive Major Gifts program including prospect research and identification, gift cultivation, solicitation and stewardship with the assistance of the Executive Director and Board of Directors.  
• Develop Planned Giving initiatives and materials. Support Board training in development.  
• Provide strategic and tactical guidance for membership acquisition campaigns including a variety of tactics (direct mail, online giving, etc.)  
• Help determine an effective Events plan to contribute revenue and achieve outreach goals.  
• Help develop strategy and vehicles to maximize corporate support including memberships, sponsorships and grants.  
• Help identify family foundations with potential for grant support.  
• Help prepare the Association for a Capital Campaign. The current business plan includes funding for Campaign Counsel at an appropriate time.

Skills/Experience Desired:

• Bachelor's degree in related field; advanced degree and/or CFRE desired.  
• At least seven years small shop development experience and proven success in major gifts solicitation.  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  
• Effective problem solver and decision maker who is not intimidated by challenge.  
• Practical expertise with computer systems.  
• Understands public policy issues and is sensitive to local politics.  
• Capital Campaign and Planned Giving experience desirable.  
• Independent working style with ability to prioritize.  
• Familiarity with and interest in environmental issues.

To Apply:

Please send cover letter, resume and salary history via postal mail, email, or fax to:

Egmont Associates
85 E India Row #24F
Boston MA  02110-3395

Electronic mail:   Microsoft Word attachments only, please.