Associate Vice President of Development; Remote

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Senior Management REMOTE, US

4 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

The Appalachian Trail and its landscape are always protected, resilient, and connected for all.

The Associate Vice President (AVP) of Development is ATC’s lead fundraising officer and a key member of the Engagement Team, reporting to the Chief Growth Officer. This role drives philanthropic growth, manages a portfolio of major donors, and inspires a talented team to fund the ATC’s operations and achieve its mission.

The AVP of Development is primarily responsible for establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to grow a ~$15M annual budget (of which approx. 2/3 is funded via philanthropic donations) and the endowment through solicited gifts.

The AVP of Development leads a team of nine total staff members including six direct reports (five Directors and one manager), plus two contract fundraising professionals and contracted firms that provide support services.

This position is responsible for expanding and diversifying the ATC’s donor base/pipeline, working closely with other team members to secure funding for existing and new initiatives that support the strategic plan, and the ATC’s Centennial Campaign, a five-year comprehensive campaign that has raised $40M of its $50M goal since it launched in 2023. The AVP is expected to build relationships and regularly meet with current and future donors.

In addition, the AVP of Development will work closely with the board of directors and support board members as they take on a more active fundraising role. The amount raised by the ATC is expected to increase in future years as the AVP of Development strengthens the organization's fundraising capacity.

• Lead and inspire a high‑‑performing team
  :
  Mentor, hire, and support development staff to enable their success on ambitious, goal‑driven outcomes with clear metrics.
• Shape the future of fundraising
  :
  Drive long‑range and annual development strategies, leading fundraising campaigns and initiatives; educate and inspire staff across ATC to understand the crucial role they play in contributing to ATC’s organizational success in fundraising.
• Fuel growth and sustainability
  :
  Set ambitious yet feasible revenue and donor goals, rally the team to maximize opportunities, and build lasting impact.
• Steward high-impact donors
  :
  Manage a small but strategically significant portfolio of high-value prospects, donors, and board members who require sophisticated cultivation and solicitation. Co-manage select relationships alongside development team members to build capacity and sustain momentum toward transformational giving opportunities.
• Inspire donor engagement
  :
  Introduce and maintain best practices in donor stewardship, recognition, and communication, ensuring funders feel engaged and appreciated.
• Forward‑thinking
  :
  Track philanthropic trends, advise leadership on fund development issues, and recommend forward‑thinking policy positions.
• Drive fundraising success
  :
  Personally engage in cultivation and solicitation while guiding executives and Campaign Advisory Committee to maximize Campaign impact.
• Expand and energize the donor base
  :
  Lead and coordinate strategy development with directors overseeing membership, mid‑level, major, and institutional giving to develop and align program‑specific growth strategies. Ensure fundraising plans are integrated, mutually reinforcing, and pipeline‑driven, while serving as the connective leader who empowers subject‑matter experts to grow their programs and advance donors seamlessly toward deeper engagement and investment.
• Drive organizational collaboration and impact
  :
  Partner with the leadership team, program teams, and across the engagement team to align fundraising, marketing,…