Associate Director of Development

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive.

The Rhode Island Chapter is comprised of 30 employees who are committed to teamwork through cross-collaboration, professional development, and an inclusive office culture. Our team is dedicated to community and engagement practices that help our staff find balance and thrive. We recognize that people bring talent and lived experiences in addition to professional skill. Passion, innovation, and equity are all key components to advancing our Mission and we encourage you to apply.

The Associate Director of Philanthropy develops, implements, and manages effective multi-year strategies and plans for the cultivation and solicitation of gift prospects, primarily individual donors and potential corporate, foundation, and institutional funders. This person will join a business unit level team that works collaboratively and flexibly. This role is ideal for a strategic fundraiser who enjoys identifying, qualifying, and building relationships with new major donor prospects while also managing a portfolio of established donors to contribute to the ongoing mission of our global conservation work.

We’re Looking for You:

The Associate Director of Development for The Nature Conservancy in Rhode Island is responsible for building a portfolio of qualified donors and managing relationships. Applying donor strategy principles, they will be responsible for direct asks for local and global priorities to meet funding needs. They will solicit opportunities for gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, such as planned gifts and trade lands. This role includes specific focus on major gifts solicitation, including support for local and global fundraising priorities. They understand organizational budgets and are proficient in utilizing this knowledge to build proposal budgets. The ADOD will involve appropriate partners in the field and staff at the Worldwide Office, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues or concerns, and direct questions as appropriate. They will apply extensive knowledge of principles and advanced techniques to represent various funding needs. They will support donor and volunteer engagement within formal and informal networks. The ADOD may mentor other individual contributors as an expect adviser. They will work collaboratively across chapters and programs with a spirit of “One Conservancy” and leverage institutional knowledge and networks for successful and sophisticated donor strategies.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Cultivate and manage a portfolio of 75 – 125 donors, including donors with the capacity to give over $100,000, once the portfolio is developed. Responsible for 75 – 125 visits and 225 – 375 moves annually. Annual fundraising goal of $500,000 or more, along with a goal for bequest notifications.

• Support discovery for corporate and portfolio management in collaboration with program staff, board of trustee members, and partners.

• Implement donor strategy tracking and develop aligned portfolio goals, producing  discovery and performance metrics as assigned. 

• Persuasively convey the mission of TNC to various groups important to the organization’s overall prosperity.

• Apply discretion and balanced decision-making in donor strategy, relationship management, and fundraising activities that have implications across programs and organizational priorities.

• Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external requirements; maintaining knowledge for donor, legal, and IRS requirements and compliance issues.

• Financial responsibility for setting and meeting fundraising objectives, evaluating results, and developing corrective strategies.

• Maintain confidentiality of frequently sensitive and sometimes emotionally charged information in accordance with policy and guidance.

• Support staff as fundraisers across programs and organizational priorities.

• Periodical regional travel, sometimes at short notice, work long hours and weekends as needed.

• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain. 

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $91,000-$96,000 annually. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.