Director of Development, Core Conservation Programs

For more than a century, Audubon has championed the protection of birds and their habitat. Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the Earth's biological diversity. With nearly 700 staff, 23 state programs, 465 local chapters, 43 centers and sanctuaries, and close to half a million members throughout the United States, Audubon achieves its mission by engaging people in bird conservation on a hemispheric scale through science, policy, education, and on-the-ground conservation action.

In the fall of 2011, Audubon adopted a new strategic plan to renew the organization's focus on the biggest and most important opportunities for addressing critical threats to birds and their habitat. At the core of this plan is a focus on flyways: Each year, more than 10 billion birds use major flyways to travel up and down the continent and to points beyond. Underneath these flyways are migratory rest stops and the homes for non-migratory birds that are critical to birds' survival. These places form a web that represents the richest veins of biodiversity across the Americas. They are the tipping point places that connect people to birds and ecosystems-and where birds thrive, people prosper.

By mobilizing and aligning Audubon's unparalleled network of chapters, centers, state programs, and Important Bird Area (IBA) programs to focus on the four major migratory flyways in the Americas (Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific), the organization will bring the full power of Audubon to bear on protecting common and threatened bird species and the critical habitat they need to survive. Within each flyway, Audubon will sharpen its focus on the most critical species and places, working only where there is a theory of victory for delivering measurable conservation impact at scale.

As part of BirdLife International, Audubon will join people in more than 100 countries working to protect a network of IBAs around the world, leveraging the impact of actions they take at a local level. Critical to Audubon's conservation success will be engaging a growing and more diverse audience to take conservation action.

Position Overview:

Audubon is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Director of Development to lead fundraising efforts for Audubon's core conservation programs. In partnership with Program leadership in Public Policy, Science, Education, and the International Alliances Program, the Director of Development will raise annual operating and program expansion funds from donors, foundations, corporations, and other funding partners.

The Director, working closely with the Chief Development Officer and other senior management, will build an integrated case for support and a diversified portfolio of funders for core functions. Examples of program work include climate change and energy development, identifying and protecting Important Birds Areas throughout the hemisphere, and outreach to nationwide constituencies through education and crowd science programs.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished fundraiser and have extensive experience building and maintaining successful relationships with major donors, board members, and corporate and foundation leaders. He/she will have experience managing a portfolio of 150 six-figure+ prospects, achieving annual and campaign-related fundraising goals, implementing moves management, and possess a personal commitment to protecting and preserving nature and biodiversity. It is essential that this individual be a self-motivated, confident, and accomplished development professional. The Director of Development for Core Programs will report to the Chief Development Officer.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Development for Core Programs will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

• Develop, implement, and revise over time the multi-year fundraising plan for the four Audubon core programs (Science, Education, Policy, and International).
• Help set and achieve specific fundraising goals for core programs, including targets related to operations support, program expansion, and conservation strategies in which core programs play a significant role.
• Collaborate with the Core Management Team (VP of Science, Education, Policy, and International Alliances) to understand each program's goals and engage program leadership appropriately in the development and implementation of fundraising strategies.
• Drive development-related communications, such as newsletters, annual reports, fundraising appeals, and email-based communications.
• Build and manage a portfolio of 150+ top potential donors.
• Develop and maintain relationships with private and corporate funders, developing, packaging, and delivering proposals.
• Plan and lead funder meetings and special events, engaging other staff and board members as needed.
• Work with board members, current donors, foundations, and corporate contacts to identify and engage new funding sources for core conservation programs.
• Develop and maintain a strong relationship with the Chief Development Officer.
• Support other, related organizational and program work as appropriate.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications:

• Proven fundraising success with 7-10+ years of experience in positions with progressively increasing responsibility
• Track record in securing $1,000,000 or more annually in operating and/or campaign funds
• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree in business, marketing, public relations, or natural resource conservation desirable
• Entrepreneurial spirit and success building or enlarging fundraising programs, as well as ability to work independently and set and achieve benchmarks
• Interest, understanding, and commitment to the conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat is critical, as is the ability to communicate Audubon's mission, goals, and programs effectively and with the highest professional standards
• Excellent writing skills and demonstrated success in proposal development
• Superb communication and presentation skills
• Strong planning, organization, time management, communication, and multi-tasking skills
• Comfort with working in a fast-paced, flexible, collegial, team-oriented, and entrepreneurial environment
• Capacity to work easily and effectively with a wide range of people, adept at building relationships, acting diplomatically, and exhibiting sensitivity to and an understanding of the dynamics of a complex organization
• Existing knowledge of major U.S. and international conservation funders a plus
• The highest level of personal and professional integrity and quality standards
• Specific knowledge of PC-based computers with expertise in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook preferred, expertise in donor database management systems (Millennium) a plus
• Willingness and ability to travel 20-40% of the time and to work some weekends and evenings

Compensation: Audubon offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. This position will be located in Washington, DC.

To Apply:

To be considered for this position, interested candidates must follow this link to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements. CEA Recruiting is assisting Audubon with this search. Please direct all applications and inquiries to CEA Recruiting. This position will remain open until filled.  

Audubon is an equal opportunity employer.

CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit CEA.