Development & Communication Director

The Pontchartrain Conservancy (PC) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to drive environmental sustainability and stewardship through scientific research, education, and advocacy. Since its inception in 1989, the PC has been driven by community action to create programs that build community while preserving and restoring the 10,000 square-mile Lake Pontchartrain Basin watershed for public access and enjoyment. The PC’s vision is “an environmentally sustainable, prosperous and resilient region”.

PC is seeking a successful, innovated, motivated, and resourceful leader with the proven ability to provide strategic vision and direction to join the Executive Director’s leadership team as the Development & Communications Director. The Development and Communications Director reports to the Executive Director (ED). He/she serves as a member of the organization’s leadership team and works closely with the Development Committee of the Board of Directors, as well as communications, grant writing and program staff.

The Development and Communications Director develop and implement plans and strategies that increase individual donations, contributions from smaller family foundations, and corporate sponsor ships for PC to complement its longstanding track record of securing government grants to support its research and community engagement. The primary focus of the Development and Communications Director is to establish sustainable sources of revenue that support the organization’s continued operation and growth, as well as develop a consistent communications strategy to help increase support, donations and exposure for Pontchartrain Conservancy.

Additionally, this position serves as the primary communications liaison between PC and the Restore the Mississippi River Delta (MRD) coalition.

This position is full-time at 40 hours weekly based at PC’s Metairie, LA office.

• Establish and implement the infrastructure needed to support PC’s mission through the solicitation of major gifts, memberships, special events, grants, corporate, foundation & individual support, etc.
• In coordination with the ED, create and manage the successful implementation of an annual written fundraising & business development plan that is clear in its objectives, target audiences, timelines and assignment of responsibilities.
• Manage the PC development budget, and work in concert with the ED to develop and monitor the budget throughout the fiscal cycle.
• Guide & supervise development staff and contractors to support donor identification, solicitation, cultivation and stewardship; grant writing; special events; and membership.
• Collaborate closely with the Development (Donor Relations?) Assistant who manages the donor database to ensure accurate, timely, and comprehensive donor records and reporting.
• Partner with the Office Manager to plan and execute special events, ensuring alignment with fundraising goals and donor stewardship strategies.
• Coordinate event marketing efforts by developing clear promotional strategies, timelines, and materials that support attendance and fundraising goals.
• Collaborate on post-event follow-up, including donor outreach, data entry needs (in coordination with the Development Assistant), and evaluation of event outcomes.
• Evaluate the fundraising activities annually to ensure quality, productivity and success toward meeting goals & include donor recognition, retention, and increased giving strategy.
• Expand & diversify PC’s donor base/pipeline & work closely with leadership & other team members to secure funding for new initiatives.
• Engage the ED and Board Development Committee in developing and implementing fundraising and development activities on a…