Director of Philanthropic Strategy and Operations

Position: Director of Philanthropic Strategy and Operations

Status: Full-time; FLSA Salary Exempt

Department: Philanthropy

Reports to: Chief Philanthropy Officer

POSITION OVERVIEW

Located along the Space Coast in Melbourne, Florida, the Brevard Zoo is an AZA-accredited facility with a diverse collection of over 900 animals representing nearly 200 species. It is also home to the Sea Turtle Healing Center for rehabilitation of wild marine turtles. Brevard Zoo is well-known for its strong conservation ethic and unique attractions, such as kayaking through the Africa area, giraffe feeding, and rhinoceros and other animal encounters.

Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the Director of Philanthropic Strategy and Operations will lead the strategic planning, goal setting, and operational execution of ECZF’s gifts program. This role is responsible for designing and implementing systems, processes, and strategies that drive efficiency, accountability, and sustainable fundraising growth.

The Director will oversee key functions including operations, corporate partnerships, events, and community engagement; ensuring alignment, performance, and collaboration across teams. They will also work closely with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and CEO to develop high-level operational strategies and support cross-functional coordination for ECZF’s top philanthropic priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED:

· 5 years of major gifts fundraising and/or direct donor relationship experience

· Bachelor’s degree, additional related academic courses or professional training.

· Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with internal partners, donors, and board members while maintaining impeccable discretion.

· Experience in portfolio management, pipeline development, and strategic moves management to grow donor engagement and revenue.

· Proven ability to create and implement operational processes that improve efficiency and consistency across fundraising teams.

· Proven ability to close gifts from all donor levels

· Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative and results-driven work environment.

· Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with the ability to create reports, presentations, and manage correspondence effectively.

· Demonstrated experience in developing strategic donor engagement plans, including prospect qualification and disqualification, using research and supporting materials to optimize fundraising efforts.

PREFERRED/DESIRED:

· Experience working in a mission-driven, nonprofit environment, preferably within conservation, education, or cultural institutions.

· Knowledge of donor databases and CRM systems, such as Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce, to track donor engagement and fundraising performance.

· Understanding of planned giving strategies and the ability to integrate them into donor cultivation efforts.

· Familiarity with capital campaigns and major fundraising initiatives

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Collaborate closely with the Chief Philanthropy Officer to implement and uphold best operational practices in philanthropy.

· Design and manage scalable systems, tools, and processes to support efficient fundraising operations, including gift processing, donor stewardship, and reporting.

· Oversee CRM/data integrity, analytics, and reporting to drive performance tracking and decision-making across fundraising teams.

· Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations governing gift acceptance, donor data, and financial reporting.

· Lead portfolio management strategy and execution, including pipeline development, portfolio reviews, and strategic donor moves management to maximize philanthropic potential.

· Create and standardize operational procedures and best practices across the philanthropy team to ensure consistency and effectiveness.

· Manage team members in philanthropic operations, corporate fundraising, community engagement and events.

· Partner with executive leadership to develop and execute data-informed fundraising strategies across multiple revenue streams including membership societies and annual giving.

· Identify opportunities to innovate systems and processes to improve donor experience, increase operational efficiency, and scale revenue growth.

· Support stewardship efforts by leading the events team to plan donor recognition events, on-campus dedications, and exclusive cultivation events with the CEO, CPO, Director of Philanthropy and Campaign Cabinet.

· Partner with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and Philanthropic Operations Manager to implement a data-driven system using Raiser’s Edge to assess staff performance and track fundraising goals via KPI’s

· Develop and implement personalized engagement plans with the Director of Philanthropy, leveraging leadership, board members, and key organizational representatives to strengthen connections and advance philanthropic partnerships.

· Perform additional duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

· Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapting to shifting priorities while ensuring timely and high-quality outcomes.

· Exceptional interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence, fostering strong, long-term relationships with donors, colleagues, and external partners.

· Collaborative team player with excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills to drive fundraising success.

· Strong problem-solving abilities, demonstrating diplomacy and logical thinking in navigating challenges with minimal guidance.

· Ability to maintain a positive and professional demeanor when engaging with donors, stakeholders, and team members, even in high-pressure situations.

· Outstanding oral, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to tailor communication to diverse audiences and donor interests.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(L) Light work

Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects. If the use of arm/leg controls require exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated as light work.

POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS/HAZARDS:

Indoor office environment most often with frequent movement outdoors. Exposure to extreme heat and weather conditions. Requires Sitting, Standing, Walking, Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, Finger Dexterity, Talking, Hearing, and Visual Acuity frequently.

WORK SCHEDULE:

May be required to work weekends and nights as necessary.

TRAVEL:

May be required to travel for donor visits, typically no more than two (2) hours away from the ECZF office.

The above information in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the Zoo’s policies on evaluation of personnel.

Brevard Zoo provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Brevard Zoo complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Brevard Zoo expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Brevard Zoo's employees to perform their expected job duties is not tolerated.

Brevard Zoo will not tolerate retaliation against employees who raise concerns or who file a claim of discrimination whether through external agencies or through Brevard Zoo’s internal procedures.

Brevard Zoo is committed to an inclusive environment where employees are encouraged to be their authentic selves. We value the diverse qualities, perspectives, and experiences of all individuals. Join us in sharing the joy of nature to help people and wildlife thrive.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you willing to undergo a pre-employment drug test in accordance with local laws and regulations?
• Are you willing to undergo a background check in accordance with local laws and regulations?

Ability to Commute:

• Melbourne, FL 32940 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Melbourne, FL 32940: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $85,000 - $95,000