Donor and Community Relations Manager

Donor and Community Relations Manager

The Wildlife Center of Virginia is an internationally acclaimed teaching and research hospital for wildlife and conservation medicine, located in Waynesboro, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The Center’s mission is to “teach the world to care about and care for wildlife and the environment.” Since its founding in 1982, the Center has cared for more than 100,000 wild animals, representing 200 species of native birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The current annual caseload averages about 4600 patients.

The Wildlife Center has a professional staff of about 30 individuals who work together in the veterinary, outreach, operations, and advancement departments. While each of these departments carries out different functions, all staff work closely together as a team to support one another and the Center’s overall mission.

Position Description

The Donor & Community Relations Manager supports the President in managing relationships with donors, partners, legislators, volunteers, and community members. The role also provides essential administrative support to the President, Board of Directors, and relevant committees by managing calendars, scheduling appointments, organizing meetings and events, preparing materials, and ensuring proper documentation. As importantly, the position assists with the development and implementation of donor management, stewardship, and recognition plans; enhancing commitments to the Center and its programs; and assuring effective communications with select audiences. In order to achieve positive results, the manager collaborates with other departments to ensure clear communication, successful outcomes, and support for events that enhance community awareness of the Center's mission and impact.

Duties and Responsibilities (training provided)

Administrative Coordination, Communications, and Scheduling

• Assist the President in maintaining and strengthening relationships with donors, organizational partners, legislators, volunteers, and community members.
• Provide administrative assistance to the President including managing a busy schedule, meetings, budget issues, and travel logistics.
• Respond to inquiries from partners, donors, and the public, ensuring prompt and professional communication.
• Provide assistance to the Board of Directors, campaign-related and special committees including, but not limited to, scheduling, organizing meetings and events, and preparing materials.
• Assists with the development of appeals and materials for donor solicitation, acknowledgement, and recognition.
• Support initiatives that enhance public awareness and understanding of the organization's mission and work.
• Assure advancement and campaign-related policies and procedures are developed and reviewed and updated on an annual basis.
• Facilitate positive communication and relationships with all departments to ensure effective coordination and successful outcomes for all donor and community-related activities.

Donor Relations Strategies and Assistance

• Assist with purchase and management of donor-related supplies and materials.
• With the President and Director of Advancement design, implement, provide ongoing evaluation, and propose adjustments to donor relations strategies that support short- and long-term fundraising goals.
• With the Director of Advancement, build effective recognition and stewardship programs to assure ongoing contributions, positive donor relations, and growth of the Center’s donor base.
• Identify opportunities to build new partnerships and strengthen existing ones through strategic outreach and engagement.
• Assure donor, prospect, and partner information is organized, collected, managed, utilized, and reported in an efficient and effective manner.
• Assist with events and management of Legacy Society donors; aid in the promotion of planned giving membership and activities.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma; Bachelor’s preferred
• Commitment to wildlife, conservation, and the environment
• Professional appearance and demeanor
• Valid driver’s license
• 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine
• Ability to lift 15lbs. for the management of supplies, materials, and event setup.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of two years in nonprofit, administration, and/or advancement strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to interact effectively in person, online, and via phone with individuals and groups.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• High level of initiative and creativity in problem-solving.
• Ability to organize, set goals, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to create quality materials and reports with efficiency and limited oversight.
• Expertise with Microsoft Office applications, donor databases, and other requisite office technology.
• Professional appearance and demeanor for both workplace and community interactions.
• Interest in wildlife, the environment, and conservation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with colleagues in an effort to achieve common goals of the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

Compensation and Benefits

• An annual salary of $46,000. This is an exempt position and not eligible for overtime.
• The work week will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional weekend work and travel required for special events, in person or online. Ability for occasional teleworking.
• 80 hours of vacation time per year
• 40 hours of personal time per year
• 48 hours of sick time per year
• 50% health insurance coverage through a group plan

Application Requirements

Interested applicants must submit the following through the Center’s website: http://www.wildlifecenter.org/hiring

• CV or Resume
• Letter of intent
• Three references

For further inquiries, please contact:

Amber Buck

Operations Manager

Wildlife Center of Virginia

PO Box 1557, Waynesboro, VA 22980

abuck@wildlifecenter.org

No phone calls, please. Center phone lines are best kept open for wildlife emergencies.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) is an equal opportunity employer. WCV will not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical condition), disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, citizenship, or any other class protected by applicable law. We reserve the right to alter, change, modify, and/or terminate this job posting at any time without notice, or obligation, to any party.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $46,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $46,000