Job Description

Director of Development

The JMT Wilderness Conservancy is looking for a Director of Development to join our non-profit organization.  This position will support the JMT WC President and other team members in building and executing a California and national fundraising plan directed at: (i) large environmental foundations;  (ii) high-net worth individuals and family foundations; (iii) people or organizations that may positively influence our mission;  and (iv) “grass roots” social-media website-driven donors.  This position will manage and be supported by a part-time donor researcher.

The JMT WC is dedicated to the conservation of the wilderness, wildlife and waters along the high Sierra Nevada crest defined by the John Muir Trail (est. 1915).  Our mission is to restore and conserve the wilderness of the JMT corridor, in light of steeply increasing recreational use compounded by the effects of climate change.  The region is roughly 10 miles wide and 220 miles north-to-south running from Yosemite Valley to just south of Mt. Whitney, and includes over 390 miles of trails and surrounding wilderness areas along the high Sierra Nevada crest.  We work with the National Park Service (NPS) and United States Forest Service (USFS) who design and implement the restoration projects, and add grants of public funds in addition to our private donations to support their efforts.

In particular, we work with the four principle federal agency teams: the NPS in Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and the USFS in both the Inyo and Sierra National Forests. We bring together the various stakeholders and resource managers in an effort to strategically fund and support implementation of on-the-ground projects to conserve and protect this sensitive wilderness and the many species that inhabit these lands for future generations.

Position:  Director of Development
Commitment: Regular full-time employee, 40 hours/week; may work remotely; plan on attending several operational meetings and donor events in the Bay Area and Sierra Nevada annually;
Compensation: $100,000 – $120,000, commensurate with qualifications, experience and references. Excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision;  vacation and sick leave.
Reporting: Direct report to the JMT WC President; will directly manage a part-time consulting donor researcher who is skilled in identifying and researching potential donors and foundations;  will also work closely with JMT WC administrative and field staff in executing fundraising campaigns and events.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Donor Development & Communications Responsibilities:

Work with the consulting researcher to develop 50 to 100 new qualified donor prospects annually;
Manage and supervise the consulting researcher to locate pertinent publicly-available personal and professional information about donor prospects in our database;
Master the personal and professional information for the key donor prospects currently in our data base;
Develop the schedule and communications content for two fund-raising campaigns annually, one in the Spring and one for each Year-End;
Each year, manage all donor prospects based on their interest level, responsiveness, and personal engagement in order to re-prioritize donor classifications and management strategies;
Must be able to communicate directly with a group of 25 to 30 highly-qualified donors to build philanthropic giving potential, i.e. to act as a lead relationship manager;
Work closely with the manager of grants & field programs to understand the geography, science and practical aspects of our field work in order to communicate effectively with donors;
Work closely with the manager of operations & marketing on the DonorPerfect data base for individual and groups of donors on communications strategies, data input and ratings;
Capable of understanding our mission, the federal agencies with whom we coordinate, and the basic regional geography and federal processes related to landscape-level restoration;
Assure that acknowledgement letters and tax receipts are sent promptly to donors;
Manage donors lists, event prospect lists, and invitation lists as needed;

Marketing Responsibilities:
Support organization and implementation of fundraising events;
Help design the form and content of marketing collateral, including donor letters, brochures, web site content, social media communications, and other marketing and advertising;
Assist with events, including personal participation at annual reception & donor hikes;
Create reports to schedule and track performance of fundraising campaigns.

QUALIFICATIONS:
We seek a proven team-player who is flexible and able to work in a small development operation where each member must, at times, pitch in to advance the common purpose.  A commitment to continuing professional development is highly valued.
BA degree from a recognized college or university;
Strong writing and presentation skills;
4+ years working in donor development and management, with a proven track record of fundraising success;
2+ years’ experience working with DonorPerfect or a similar database;
Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with on-line donor research tools;
Basic understanding of tax and financial accounting involved with charitable contributions, include donor advised funds, stock transfers, bequests, cash contributions etc.
Working proficiency in Word and Excel (or Apple’s Pages and Numbers);
Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and an ability to manage a variety of projects simultaneously with short deadlines;
Strong social and interpersonal skills to work in a positive collaborative team environment;

OTHER QUALIFYING CRITERIA:
Educational background in environmental or biological sciences is helpful, but not required;
Experience with environmental or wilderness conservation and remote overnight backpacking;
Knowledge of the Bay Area, Southern California and Central Valley philanthropic communities, and the major environmental foundations working in California.

The JMT Wilderness Conservancy is 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable nonprofit located in Menlo Park, CA which does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition or any other basis protected by state or federal laws.

To apply, please send to [email protected]:  (1)  a cover letter summarizing your qualifications and what makes you excited about the position;  and (2) a resume.  Please be prepared to have three professional references, when requested.

How to Apply

To apply, please send to [email protected]: (1) a cover letter summarizing your qualifications and what makes you excited about the position; and (2) a resume. Please be prepared to have three professional references, when requested.

Job Categories: Conservation. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 100,000 and above.

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