Associate Director of Principal Gift Development

What We Can Achieve Together

The Associate Director of Principal Gift Development develops, implements, and manages effective multi‑year strategies and plans for the qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of principal gift level prospects, including individual donors, foundations, and institutional prospects. With an emphasis on building a principal gift portfolio, the incumbent works across the Midwest division (IL, IN, WI, OH and MI) toward building TNC’s donor base and raising impactful gifts for TNC’s mission and campaign, focusing on wealth markets such as Chicago.

The Associate Director applies complex principles of donor strategy, builds strong relationships, discovers, cultivates and stewards donors for outright, pledged and complex gifts, and manages direct asks to global and local priorities. They are proficient in discussing assets, gifts of assets, planned gifts and other complex vehicles, and incorporate blended gifts in proposals. They understand the Conservancy’s priorities, budgets, and charitable giving, and have an entrepreneurial spirit for pipeline development.

They work collaboratively across chapters and programs, align with the global principal gifts team, and manage assigned trustee relationships and volunteer engagement as appropriate. They use the Conservancy’s donor database and adhere to TNC’s stated values. This is a hybrid position reporting to the Chicago Field Office.

• Qualify at least ten (10) principal gift‑level prospects in the first year.
• Build a warm PG portfolio of UHNWI in the first three years, with solicitations underway before or during year three.
• Manage a portfolio of 30‑50 prospects capable of giving over $5,000,000 each, and meet defined annual fundraising and portfolio metrics.
• Perform discovery‑based metrics such as annual qualifications, quarterly outreach goals, and other performance metrics.
• Make or participate in negotiations for complex, high‑profile or sensitive agreements.
• Ensure compliance with TNC policies, donor/legal/IRS requirements, and ethical standards.
• Set and meet fundraising objectives, evaluate results, and develop corrective strategies.
• Lead multiple collaborative projects, directing staff work, managing budgets, setting deadlines, and ensuring accountability.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Resolve complex issues independently within scope and may supervise support or administrative staff.
• Persuasively convey TNC’s mission to diverse groups.
• Travel frequently and on short notice; work long hours and weekends as needed.
• Maintain occasional exposure to challenging elements and minor physical exertion.
• After portfolio development, manage 25‑40 donors, including those capable of giving over $750,000, with 40‑75 visits and 120‑225 moves annually; achieve a $2,000,000+ annual fundraising goal and bequest notification goal.

• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years related experience.
• Experience building and maintaining portfolios of UHNW donors.
• Experience asking for and closing seven‑figure gifts, including planned gifts.
• Experience managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
• Experience working with fundraising principles and practices.
• Training in current and evolving trends in charitable giving, particularly in capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving.

• Multilingual skills and cross‑cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability to design and implement fundraising strategies, including cultivation, solicitation and recognition.
• Ability to assess a prospect’s interests, capacity and potential for the Conservancy’s goals.
• Ability to educate donors about giving vehicles.
• Advanced knowledge of complex charitable gift planning.
• Experience using listening, diplomacy and tact to build relationships and motivate donors and volunteers.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex, high‑profile or sensitive agreements.

The starting pay range for a selected candidate is $129,000 to $160,000 (subject to tax withholding). This range applies only to candidates employed in the USA and is based on factors such as location, qualifications, and experience.

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. We are a science‑based organization that creates innovative, on‑the‑ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges.

TNC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health care, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, and employee assistance programs. Flexible work environments support employee well‑being.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and provide accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.