Director of Development

Utah is home to five national parks, world‑class skiing and snowboarding, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning deserts, mountains, and lakes, all within easy driving distance. Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life. The Salt Lake Valley consistently ranks high for safety, clean communities, short commute times, and family‑friendly amenities. Draper offers a balance of suburban comfort and urban access, with downtown Salt Lake City just 15 minutes away.

Enjoy all four seasons without extremes—sunny summers, colorful falls, snowy winters, and mild springs, perfect for both outdoor recreation and city living. Utah’s communities are known for being engaged, supportive, and service‑oriented, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home.

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) is a mission‑driven institution dedicated to inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Founded in 1997, the Aquarium provides impactful educational experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds.

Since opening its Draper, Utah facility in 2014, LLPA has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and delivered over 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium features immersive habitats from around the world, including coral reefs, kelp forests, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, tropical rainforests, Asian cloud forests, and Utah’s freshwater ecosystems.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019, LLPA is in an exciting phase of growth. With the opening of the Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center, the Aquarium became the largest in the Mountain West and the fifth largest aquarium in the continental United States, offering expanded opportunities for education, research, and professional impact.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Development serves as the Aquarium's leader for all philanthropic fundraising activities. This position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports the Aquarium's mission, strategic priorities, capital initiatives, and long‑term financial sustainability.

The Director of Development leads all charitable revenue generation, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, grants, foundations, donor stewardship, and capital campaigns. Working closely with the CEO, COO, Board of Directors, and Development Committee, this position cultivates meaningful donor relationships while building a scalable, data‑driven development program that supports continued organizational growth.

The Director of Development is expected to be both a strategic leader and an active fundraiser, maintaining a personal portfolio of major donors while creating systems and processes that strengthen the Aquarium's overall fundraising capacity.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required
• Advanced degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible fundraising experience
• Demonstrated success securing five‑, six‑, and preferably seven‑figure charitable gifts
• Experience leading major gift programs and comprehensive fundraising initiatives
• Experience supporting or leading capital campaigns preferred
• Demonstrated success writing and securing foundation and government grants
• Experience partnering with executive leadership and volunteer boards
• Experience using Salesforce or comparable donor relationship management software
• Strong understanding of nonprofit fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, and philanthropic trends
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and relationship‑building skills
• Strategic fundraising leadership
• Exceptional relationship‑building and interpersonal skills
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Ability to inspire confidence with donors, volunteers, and community leaders
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management abilities
• Excellent written communication and proposal development
• Financial acumen and budget…