The Nature Conservancy

Director of Development

The Nature Conservancy

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Job Summary

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 a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there are lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight into TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.  

Our 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. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “You’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

Since 1978, The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee helped to create or expand 31 state parks and natural areas, 20 state Wildlife Management Areas, and nine national parks, forests, and wildlife, in addition to establishing our own system of nature preserves. Between the iconic Great Smoky Mountains and the Mississippi River, the Volunteer State is renowned for its forests, rivers, caves, farmland, vibrant cities, and one of the nation’s fastest-growing economies. Tennessee is situated at the crossroads of a converging network of resilient and connected forests with some of the most biodiverse rivers in the country. Never has the conservation of Tennessee’s nature mattered more.

Job Responsibilities

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Director of Development (DoD) is responsible for directing all aspects of the Tennessee fundraising program that secures significant financial resources from foundations, corporations, and individuals to support urgent conservation goals. They establish the vision for areas of responsibility, identify key challenges, develop, and synthesize plans of action, and deliver targeted outcomes. The DoD leads a team of development professionals. They are responsible for recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing development staff and nurturing effective collaboration with a geographically dispersed team. The DoD reports directly to the Tennessee State Director and serves on the Tennessee chapter’s leadership team.

The Director of Development proposes and develops long-range donor strategies and tactics to communicate a broad vision to others to advance the Conservancy’s goals. They work with programs to establish, monitor, and track measures, and lead indicators and activity-level benchmarks to achieve maximum success. They manage all major gift functions, which may include planned giving, endowments, principal gifts, donor prospecting and research, donor engagement, and special multi-year fundraising campaigns. They work in collaboration with conservation experts, development staff around the world, high-level volunteers, and others across a dispersed and complex organization. They play an active role in strategic planning for all Tennessee programs. They work closely with the State Director, and the Tennessee Board Chair and Development Committee to strengthen and engage the Board of Trustees in fundraising. They are responsible for reporting on program activities to leadership, including the Tennessee Board of Trustees.

The DoD will be responsible for a select group of prospects and donors. They may be responsible for volunteer engagement and managing selected trustee relationships. They will travel frequently and on short notice, work long hours, and occasional weekends. Their work environment may involve infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.

The DoD will be based in the Nashville, TN metro area and work in a hybrid work environment out of our Brentwood, TN office. The salary range for this role will be $130,00 to $150,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

We’re Looking for You:

The Director of Development for The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee will lead the development team to achieve a fundraising goal of at least $3.5M in annual philanthropic contributions from Tennessee-managed donor portfolios through an innovative flexible funding, outcomes-based fundraising approach. They will develop the resources and tools needed to articulate a clear and compelling case for support to The Nature Conservancy’s mission and drive fundraising success for TNC’s Global Campaign. As part of this capital campaign, the DoD will lead the planning and execution of Tennessee’s 50th Anniversary Campaign in preparation for the chapter’s milestone anniversary in 2028.  The DoD will engage new, diverse donors and significantly increase the donor pipeline with a focus on cultivating major donors.

The DoD will bring the best out of the development team and staff at large with their thought leadership, proactive spirit, and metrics-driven and inclusive approach, while also providing opportunities for work-life balance to staff. They will create a working environment of trust, transparency, innovation, efficiency, and growth. 

The DoD will ensure current and former trustees are fully engaged and contributing to the Tennessee program’s success, including cultivating trustee candidates. They will obtain 75% board participation in the Nature Conservancy’s Legacy Club and work closely with the trustee legacy ambassador. They will partner and engage at the Southern Division level to create enabling conditions for outcomes-level solicitations. 

Are you passionate about helping people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who can lead, retain, and develop a passionate team of fundraisers and operations staff, and be a key leader within the Chapter. The Conservancy is a global conservation leader and one of the top fundraising charities in the United States. If you have experience supervising a team, closing principal & major gifts, and working cross-functionally in a complex non-profit environment, the Nature Conservancy may be the place for you.

What You’ll Bring:

  • Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of related experience. 
  • Experience asking for and closing major and principal gifts. 
  • Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with new and existing fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations, and corporations. 
  • Experience in planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities. 
  • Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team. 
  • Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of charitable giving, particularly in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts, and planned giving.

Additional Information

Benefits

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world! 

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers. 

We’re proud to offer a work environment that is supportive of the health, well-being, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

How to Apply

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Details

  • Date Posted: January 22, 2025
  • Type: Full-Time
  • Job Function: Fundraising / Revenue Development
  • Service Area: Board Leadership
  • Start Date: 04/14/2025
  • Salary Range: $130,000 - $150,000
  • Working Hours: 40 hrs/wk M-F 9a-5p