Major Gifts Manager ; TNC

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 72 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 (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). or follow @ on Twitter.

The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut – the third oldest field office – is an innovator and incubator for many local-to-global conservation strategies, including conservation easements, climate resilience planning tools, marine planning and freeing river flows. The Major Gifts Manager is part of a team of Philanthropy professionals who raise the private resources to fund vision, innovation and outcomes, in an environment where “everyone is a fundraiser.”

The Major Gifts Manager provides overall management for chapter philanthropy operations and administration functions and for all cross-chapter and global priorities functions as well as the funding and financial functions that are cross-cutting over conservation programs, philanthropy and finance. They are a project manager, responsible primarily for managing, documenting and reporting on relationships and processes that coordinate leadership and philanthropy staff efforts, information and processes to facilitate fundraising success and financial sustainability in support of conservation priorities.

The role is strongly service-oriented and adaptive, requiring a high degree of organizational and management skill, innovation and initiative, professionalism and confidentiality.

Major Gifts Manager manages the Philanthropy Team’s work flow, processes and relationships relevant within and outside the field office.

The Major Gifts Manager will work toward meeting the strategic priorities of philanthropy and finance programs by providing the oversight, resources, protocols and reporting to execute day-to-day and long-term philanthropy operations and administration functions. They will plan and manage operating and aspirational fundraising goals in cooperation with the Directors of Philanthropy and Finance and Administration and be responsible for managing the work plans of fundraisers and the systems and procedures to help them.

They will manage moves management, analyze and report on data and metrics, and coordinate paper and electronic mailings. A small portfolio, especially of VIP supporters, will be managed by the Major Gifts Manager for cultivation, stewardship and networking. The position is cross-cutting over the chapter and across the global organization, requiring strong ability to forge and manage productive relationships and to develop approaches and systems that bridge differing perspectives.

Strong client management and an emphasis on continuous improvement of systems, processes and workflow are essential to the position. Financial responsibilities extend to philanthropy program budget creation and management, auditing and creating reports for staff, trustees and donors, approving expenses and invoices, managing private awards, coordinating on public awards, as assisting with other duties as requested. The Manager provides guidance in satisfying requirements based on extensive knowledge of policies and procedures and must have advanced knowledge of systems and resources for effectiveness.

The Major Gifts Manager reports to the Director of Philanthropy and works in close cooperation with any or all of the following:
Philanthropy Team, State Director, Trustees, Conservancy staff, donors, volunteers, vendors, public agencies, financial institutions, and legal and accounting…