American Bird Conservancy is the Western Hemisphere's bird conservation specialist – the only organization
with a single and steadfast commitment to achieving conservation results for birds and their habitats
throughout the Americas. With an emphasis on achieving results and working in partnership, we take on the
greatest problems facing birds today, innovating and building on rapid advancements in science to halt
extinctions, protect habitats, eliminate threats, and build capacity for bird conservation.
With offices in The Plains, Virginia (headquarters), and Washington D.C., American Bird Conservancy is a $13
million organization with over 70 staff members. To learn more, visit www.abcbirds.org.
POSITION SUMMARY
Leading American Bird Conservancy's Development and Membership programs, the Vice President for
Development is a critical member of ABC's senior leadership team. The Vice President for Development is
responsible for the planning, oversight and implementation of a comprehensive development program that
secures financial resources from individuals, foundations, corporations, government and online sources to
support ABC's unrestricted budget needs and programmatic goals across the Americas. The VP will have a
great deal of contact, in person, and by telephone and correspondence, with ABC's Board of Directors, staff,
members, and potential and existing donors. The VP for Development will manage a portfolio of donors and
prospects and effectively support ABC's President and senior leadership in cultivating, soliciting and
stewarding donors. S/he will work across all fundraising platforms, including digital and social media.
Reporting to the President, the VP for Development will represent the Development division in board, division
head, and organizational planning meetings, oversee a team of eight development and membership
professionals, and will have knowledge of all ABC programs and structures.
OPPORTUNITY
American Bird Conservancy is at a pivotal point in our 23 year history. Leading a high functioning team,
collaborating with a committed leadership team and board of directors and partnering with a supportive
donor base, the dynamic and self-starting Vice President for Development has the potential to continue the
amazing growth of an organization with a focused mission and a passion for bird and bird habitat
conservation. The VP for Development will have a seat at the table and the compelling opportunity to greatly
impact ABC's capacity to take on the greatest problems facing birds today, to halt extinctions, protect habitats,
eliminate threats, and build capacity for bird conservation.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work with the President to identify, cultivate, and solicit gifts from major six and seven figure donors.
• Provide vision, leadership, and oversight to ABC's Development division to ensure the goals of the division
are met or exceeded, and Development capacity is matched to ABC's organizational and conservation
financial needs at all times.
• Ensure that the Development division meets or exceeds its Gold Standards, particularly for overall integrity
and transparency of operation, donor tracking, updates, reports, and donor satisfaction.
• Develop and implement annual and long-range development plans and budgets in coordination with the
President; lead and coordinate staff and board efforts to ensure that annual and long-term operating and
program budgets are met or exceeded.
• Identify, cultivate, and bring in potential and existing major donor fundraising prospects; manage a
portfolio of donors and prospects and support President's fundraising activities.
• Write, but especially edit, high-quality proposals and budgets and mentor staff to do the same.
• Lead in developing new fundraising streams such as online campaigns.
• In collaboration with the Membership team, help expand ABC's general membership program and the
revenue generated.
• Implement and expand ABC's Planned Giving program.
• Provide development training and support to ABC partners as needed.
• Participate in developing ABC program, project, and institutional development as requested by the
President.
• Work with the Communication team to ensure consistent, effective messaging and products that reflect
and enhance the ABC brand.
• Potentially develop network of volunteer fundraisers for ABC in centers of wealth.
DESIRED BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
The successful candidate will have a bachelor's degree and at least seven years' of work experience in
development, with progressively greater responsibilities, or another appropriate combination of education
and experience. S/he will have a minimum of three to five years of management experience, and a track
record of success in supervising, mentoring and empowering the work of others in a high performing
institution or organization. S/he will have a track record of successfully soliciting major gifts from individuals
and foundations.
Other essential qualifications and attributes include:
• Initiative, ability to multi-task, work in a team, supervise and motivate staff, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated track record of success in identifying, cultivating and soliciting major gifts, as well as an
ability to raise funds across multiple revenue streams and an ability to implement online fundraising
efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to strategically plan annual and long-term programmatic goals.
• Ability to work independently, efficiently, accurately, and keep deadlines.
• Ability to double check and ensure the correctness of budgets.
• Exceptional communication skills, in person and in writing.
• Experience working in conservation is preferred; bird conservation experience a plus.
• Passion and excitement for the work and mission of American Bird Conservancy.
• Willingness to travel.
• The ability to speak and read Spanish and Portuguese would be helpful.
COMPENSATION
Compensation for the Vice President for Development includes a competitive base salary commensurate with
experience and an excellent package of employee benefits.
TO APPLY
American Bird Conservancy has retained the services of ThinkingAhead Executive Search. Please submit your
resume, and expression of interest to Chris Spagnola, Recruiter at cspagnola@thinkingahead.com and
Jonathan McIntosh, Recruiter at jmcintosh@thinkingahead.com.
American Bird Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer.
