Apply for Job

Please submit completed application, cover letter, and resume here, or mail to:

Nancy Steckel

3511 Barley Mill Rd
Hockessin, DE 19707
United States

302-239-2334

Download Application Apply Now

Director of Advancement

Opportunity Type: Full-time, Exempt

Location:

Organization Description

Delaware Nature Society’s (DelNature) mission is to connect people with the natural world to improve our environment through education, conservation, and advocacy. We envision a healthy and sustainable environment.  Founded in 1964, DelNature, a state affiliate for the National Wildlife Federation, is renowned for our educational programming, conservation, and advocacy. We provide the tools for communities to take action and promote the health of the environment through land preservation, wildlife protection, and watershed stewardship.

We manage over 2,000 acres of land, including four nature preserves, and operates four educational sites: Ashland Nature Center, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, DuPont Environmental Education Center, and Coverdale Farm Preserve. Our organizational priorities are comprised of three pillars of engagement focused on:  Working & Natural Lands, Healthy Waters, and Protecting Habitats and Wildlife.

DelNature aspires to be inclusive multicultural organization that celebrates the rich dimensions of diversity and is committed to understanding and addressing where we fall short. Diversity creates an awareness of and acknowledges respect for differences and translates into understanding and valuing of each other’s perspectives. We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage all who are qualified to apply.

Job Description

The Director of Advancement is a Senior Leadership Team member responsible for leading and managing fundraising, events, and marketing on behalf of the organization. As the lead fundraiser, the Director of Advancement provides strategy and direct procurement of gifts, with an emphasis on major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, state/government agency grants, and bequests. The annual fundraising goals are set and planned in the fall of each year to coincide with the following year of activities, providing a full calendar of engagement, stewardship, and solicitation. From the Annual Fund and Membership campaigns – to event sponsorship, planned giving, and major gifts – the Director of Advancement leads the goal setting and fulfillment with support of the Development and Marketing Team, Executive Director, and other leadership team members. This position oversees a team of 3-4 development and marketing staff members.

Responsibilities

Annual Fund & Membership
• Plans and executes an Annual Fund Campaign, raising unrestricted operating support.
• Plans and executes a rolling Membership Campaign, raising unrestricted operating support.
• Works with members of the development team to plan and direct the activities related to the cultivation, stewardship, and direct solicitation of individual and major gifts, with special emphasis on the Guardian
Donors ($1,000 + up).
• Works with the Board Fund Development Chair, Executive Director, Board Members, and Fund Development Committee members to steward, cultivate, and solicit individual donors to meet/exceed Annual Fund Campaign goals. Reports on goals, tracks progress, and communicates proactively on success and/or challenges.
• Develops and maintains a list of 100+ donors for personal cultivation/stewardship/solicitation.
• Supports the Executive Director, Fund Development Chair, and Board Members in the Annual Fund
Campaign activities. Works with development staff on tracking and reporting on solicitor assignments to evaluate and effectively increase overall giving year-to-year.
• Collaborates with other members of the leadership team on stewardship and cultivation strategies for donor prospects including Conservation Easement Landowners, Coverdale Neighbors, Legislators, Event attendees, Market shoppers, and other(s) as identified.

Grants & Sponsorships
• Plans and executes a calendar of grants for contributed revenue from a variety of grant sources including Corporate, Foundation, and Government grants, and multi-year grant commitments.
• Writes and submits grant applications, grant reports, and works with the department and site staff on development and reporting of the metrics and outcomes provided in those reports.
• Reviews and approves grant applications and grant reports done by other members of the development team and/or leadership team.
• Provides strategy and oversight of grant opportunities, including programmatic, annual, unrestricted, and capital requests on behalf of the organization.
• Works with development staff on identifying, soliciting, and managing corporate and event sponsors.
• Works with Associate Director of Development and Site Directors on fundraising strategies to underwrite support of programs and operations.

Events
• Oversees development of calendar of stewardship, cultivation, and fundraising events, with direct support from the Development Team, Membership & Events Coordinator, and marketing staff .
• Provides direct support in organization-wide membership and engagement events including serving on event planning committee(s), promotion, and attendance of event, securing funding/sponsors, and
supporting event follow-up.

Marketing/Administrative/Other
•Plans, develops, implements, and manages the Advancement department budget.
•Oversees and monitors costs expenditures for department projects and direct reports.
•Works with staff to develop and implement annual marketing plans to support contributed and earned revenue goals on behalf of the organization including (but not limited to): Annual Fund, Membership, Special Events, Public Programs, Youth Programs, Coverdale Market and Farm, and special projects including Capital.
•Serves on the Senior Leadership Team, providing strategy, development, and oversight of annual, department, and organizational work plans and priorities.
•Serves as the staff lead on the Fund Development Committee and serves on other board and organization committees as needed.
•Oversees Planned Giving materials, solicitations, and processes estate planning and bequests, working in partnership with the Director of Business & Finance, Executive Director, and Board Treasurer as needed.
•Works with Director of Business & Finance and Finance Committee to oversee and ensure compliance with donor intent for restricted endowments.
•Works with the Business Office to reconcile restricted gifts and grants on a monthly and annual basis.
•Utilizes software systems required including: Altru (donor/member/events), SGA (accounting), and PayCom.
•Manages 2+ full-time, exempt direct reports, providing leadership, oversight, and evaluation of their duties and job performance.
•Ensures all DelNature policies and procedures, including health and safety protocols, are implemented, and always enforced.
•Promotes and supports DelNature’s mission, values, goals, activities, and membership to a wide array of program audiences.
•Performs other duties as requested by supervisor or leadership staff.

Minimum Qualifications

•Commitment to Delaware Nature Society’s mission and genuine passion to improve the environment through education, conversation, and advocacy.
•A desire to gain a working understanding of the organization’s history, culture, and philanthropic networks, as well as trends in regional and national philanthropy and their implications for fundraising at DelNature.
•Minimum of 10 years direct fundraising experience with demonstrated success in securing and soliciting individual gifts, grants, and sponsorships.
•Proven success designing and implementing strategic, innovative plans to grow awareness, increase fundraising, and exceed goals.
•Demonstrated experience cultivating, training, building relationships with, and working collaboratively with Executive Leadership team, senior staff, board members, and volunteers on development-related activities.
•Successful history of personally identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts from individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
•Exceptional communication skills and ability to craft concise, compelling messaging about the organization or any of its current or proposed programs and initiatives.
•Flexible and adaptable style, a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
•Collaborator with the ability to prioritize, problem solve, and think critically.
•Proficiency with Microsoft Office and computer skills including Word, Excel, and donor software experience (Altru preferred).
•Bachelor’s degree required in business, marketing, or related field.
•Must be willing and able to travel regionally and work nights and weekends when necessary.

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary $80,000-$85,000. This is an exempt position with benefits

✕