Director of Major Gifts; TNC

Join and lead a strong team working for a planet where people and nature thrive.

Based in Chicago, the Illinois Chapter has both state and global impact and regularly funds work around the planet, from Kenya to Brazil to China. The Chapter is on an upward trajectory with funds raised, board diversity, conservation impact and program growth. This year the team further clarified the case for support through a newly updated IL strategic plan aligned with TNC’s global goals (see: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

) Reporting to the IL Chief Development Officer, the Director of Major Gifts leads the out-the-door fundraising team.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.

One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 79 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit http: or follow @ on Twitter.

The Director of Major Gifts works within a team of philanthropy staff to develop and implement a strategic plan for all direct fundraising aspects of a comprehensive fundraising program that includes major gifts, principal gifts and planned giving. S/he manages the out-the-door fundraising team on determining effective strategies and moves for qualified major donors and prospective donors. S/he will join the Development Leadership Team, which will include the IL Chief Development Officer and the Deputy Director for Development Operations.

S/he will carry a small, high-level portfolio and is expected to close high six and seven-figure gifts as relationship manager. S/he must be experienced in working from a major donor pipeline in a team atmosphere to effectively build a personal and team portfolio. S/he must be experienced in designing and executing strategies to bring a donor from mid-level to a gift at philanthropic capacity, with demonstrated success in developing substantive donor relationships and at engaging and supporting natural partners in executing donor strategy.

The Director of Major Gifts is responsible for leading, supervising, coaching and motivating a team of four fundraisers. S/he will work closely with and report to the IL Chief Development Officer to ensure staff objectives and performance measurements adhere to departmental, statewide and regional goals. S/he will lead by example, and thereby create a collaborative and successful team environment. The position will spend upwards of 70% time on the management of a major gifts program, and a minimum of 30% time out-the-door on fundraising activities prospecting and managing a select portfolio of donors, including high net-worth individuals, corporations and foundations.

S/he will raise on average $2,000,000 from a personal portfolio and conduct 35-50 donor visits annually. This will include major gifts, planned and endowment gifts. Must be able to persuasively convey the mission of The Nature Conservancy as well as key priorities from our global strategic plan:
Tackle Climate Change, Protect Land & Water, Deliver Food & Water Sustainably and Build Healthy Cities. See more here:

S /he will work with conservation staff in both local and international programs to engage donors and must display curiosity and self-motivation to learn and communicate conservation goals to donors and prospects. S/he must be curious and self-motivated to learn domestic and global conservation strategies and become adept at linking the two. A demonstrable commitment to conservation will be a distinct advantage.

Reporting to and in collaboration with the IL Chief Development Officer, the Director of Major Gifts will be expected to:

• Develop and manage a robust out-the-door fundraising program specifically focusing on managing a major gifts program, which raises approximately $10-15M annually, includes major gifts, principal gifts, planned and endowment gifts.
• Lead and manage a team of fundraisers, directly supervising a Senior Associate Director of Philanthropy, two Associate Directors of Philanthropy (ADoP) and a part time ADoP and manage fundraising goals and performance measurements as well as support professional development plans for each direct report.
• Through targeted prospecting efforts, build and manage a portfolio of select major and principal gift donors, including qualifying and disqualifying high capacity suspects.
• Collaborate with the Chief…