Director of Development, The Nature Conservancy

How We Work:

Across aisles. Across sectors. Across borders.

The Nature Conservancy is tackling the dual threats of accelerated climate change and unprecedented biodiversity loss. Science determines where we focus and equity guides how we achieve lasting results. Grounded by decades of local on-the-ground experience, we maximize our ability to affect change by bringing together real-world solutions, policy expertise, sustainable financing and collaborative partnerships.

Position Summary:

The Nature Conservancy’s global campaign, One Future: Together We Find A Way, has set ambitious goals to resource conservation efforts worldwide. The New York Director of Development (DoD III) is responsible for directing all aspects of The Nature Conservancy’s development efforts and team across New York State to secure financial resources to support the New York Division programs and, working closely with the New York Global Markets Director of Development, fulfill the New York Division’s campaign goals by end of 2030: raise $500M in private philanthropy ($400M outright and $100M planned giving) from individuals, foundations, and corporations. This work includes collaborating with team members to coordinate gifts for work beyond New York (across North America and around the world). The New York Director of Development will work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteer leaders, and others to grow support for the Conservancy by leveraging the campaign.

The New York Director of Development provides the development leadership to help facilitate mission success of the Conservancy across New York. They establish the vision for areas of responsibility, identify and address key challenges, develop, synthesize and undertake a plan of action, and deliver targeted outcomes. The New York Director of Development reports to the Global Director, Global Markets and Regional Strategic Development and has an extremely close working relationship with the New York Executive Director, who also helps supervise them. The Director of Development serves on the New York Executive Team. The Director of Development also works collaboratively with the New York Global Market Director of Development to coordinate work around donors interested in New York and beyond New York.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 9 years related experience, including 3 years working at a senior level.
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations and corporations.
• Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of relevant field.
• Management experience of a large multidisciplinary department, including planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.

Desired Qualifications:

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Effectively communicate via presentations, conversations, and documents.
• Experience in managing a geographically dispersed team.
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in relevant discipline.
• Expert understanding of best practices in non-profit management.
• Knowledge of advanced gift planning concepts.