Director of Strategic Development

Position Overview

The Director of Strategic Development is a senior leader responsible for driving NET’s growth, sustainability, and long-term vision. This role blends strategic planning, business development, fundraising, and partnership-building to ensure NET thrives in a competitive and evolving landscape. The ideal candidate is a visionary strategist with proven experience in grant procurement, donor advancement, and cross-sector partnerships, combined with strong leadership and communications skills.

This is a full-time, exempt position. The successful candidate will report to the Executive Director and manage all Development Department employees.

• Responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to achieve organizational objectives and drive growth
• Works with the Executive Director to promote organizational sustainability and growth
• Provides strategic leadership to internal teams and external partners
• Works closely with senior leadership to set goals, communicate strategies, and guide the organization toward its vision
• Addresses challenges that arise during the strategic planning and implementation process, such as shifts in the competitive landscape or regulatory changes
• Researches and analyzes market trends to identify new opportunities and potential challenges
• Leads the organization's business development in seeking new revenue streams and forming strategic partnerships
• Identifies multi-channel opportunities and plans that supports sustainable growth, strengthens donor engagement and achieves annual goals
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with external partners, such as elected offices, agency representatives, and key partners to facilitate collaboration and drive strategic partnerships

• Leads and oversees public and private-sector grant procurement
• Solicits gifts and corporate sponsor ships, creating annual campaigns, producing special events, and managing donor cultivation efforts
• Provides support as needed for fund solicitation
• Develops and implements the fundraising plan in concert with organizational strategic priorities
• Performs and/or manages government, foundation, subgranting, and corporate opportunities
• Leads team assessment of new grant opportunities through regular consultative grant strategy workshops with senior staff
• Recommends grant programs and applications that progress NET’s priorities and mission
• Attends community meetings and participates in webinars and grant related workshops
• Leads the cultivation and, management of relationships with grant program staff
• With a view towards successful implementation, provides guidance and assistance to NET project staff
• Responsible for grant budget development and new project hand off to department leads and project managers
• Supports grant compliance and reporting requirements

• Cultivates and stewards’ donors at all levels
• Researches, builds relationships, and seeks funding from foundations, corporations, business groups, individuals
• Develops, implements, and expands NET’s annual gifts campaign, including monthly donations, crowdfunding, corporate matching, stock donations, charitable distributions, corporate sponsor ships
• Provides ongoing cultivation and stewardship of donors at all levels
• Co-leads the utilization and management of NET’s donor relationship management system, ensuring timely and accurate record keeping and timely donor acknowledgment
• Oversees social media and website fundraising in collaboration with Development Manager
• Supports goal of 100% Board participation in fundraising efforts
• Works with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to build a culture of resource development and philanthropy throughout the organization
• Supports and helps the Board fundraising committee to best achieve fundraising plans
• Assists with Board development and onboarding
• Builds, maintains, and grows relationships with nonprofit conservation organizations, federal and state agencies, tribal governments, and other public and private stakeholders
• Oversees the Donor Management System

• Oversees NET’s external donor-facing communications, such as social media content,…