Director of Development | Lead Philanthropy for Clean Water & Conservation

Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) is seeking an experienced, relationship-driven
Development Director
to lead and grow the fundraising program of one of New Jersey’s leading watershed conservation organizations.

This is an opportunity for a seasoned development professional to step into a senior leadership role with significant autonomy, strong organizational support, and a compelling mission. Working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and a talented staff team, the Development Director will help shape RHA’s next phase of growth and deepen the relationships that sustain our work to protect clean water, natural lands, and healthy communities.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys bothstrategy and relationships: someone who can see the big picture, build a strong fundraising pipeline, and also genuinely enjoy sitting down with donors, introducing them to RHA’s work, and helping them find meaningful ways to support it.

We are looking for someone who is strategic, personable, curious, and motivated by mission. The strongest candidates will bring many of the following:

• At least five years of successful nonprofit fundraising, advancement, philanthropy, or related business development experience.
• Demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting individual donors and major gifts.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies that produce measurable growth.
• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort engaging donors, Board members, community leaders, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience leading, supervising, or mentoring staff.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day execution.
• Comfort using fundraising databases and data to guide decision-making; experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge is a plus.
• Experience with foundation grants, corporate giving, planned giving, or fundraising events is valuable, but candidates do not need to be experts in every area.
• Genuine enthusiasm for RHA’s mission and an interest in conservation, clean water, environmental protection, or community-based nonprofit work.

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director.

RHA offers a
hybrid work environment
, generally including three days per week at our headquarters at Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve in Bedminster, New Jersey, and two remote days. Candidates who prefer to work more frequently in person are welcome to do so.

Because relationship-building is central to this position, the Development Director will occasionally attend donor meetings, community events, Board meetings, and other activities outside regular business hours.