IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
The Wilderness Society, one of the nation’s leading conservation organizations, seeks an experienced, creative Vice President of Development to oversee and enhance its sophisticated fundraising enterprise. Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Development and Marketing, this executive will also work to define and work collaboratively with the Vice President for Communications and Marketing while helping to create a clear communication strategy to current and prospective donors; accelerate the commitment of funds from the organization’s most significant donors; and provide strategic and motivational guidance to the staff and volunteers. Specifically, the Vice President will lead the major gifts, membership, planned giving, foundation and corporate relations, prospect research and development operations teams. The Vice President will oversee a development staff of approximately 26, and will work to ensure that the mission and programs of The Wilderness Society are met with substantial philanthropic support.
The new Vice President must have extensive experience in the various disciplines of development programs, development operations, gift solicitation and campaign leadership, as well as strong managerial, strategic planning and motivational skills. She/he should also have a strong collaborative orientation; experience with multi-faceted fundraising efforts; the personal energy, enthusiasm and drive to develop a program that continually surpasses goals and overcomes obstacles. The Vice President must also be dedicated to the protection of natural resources and have the capacity to engender this dedication in others.
The Vice President of Development will have responsibility for planning and executing a full-scale development program and for managing all development-related activities. In close cooperation with the Senior Vice President, existing development team, executive leadership, and the Governing Council, the Vice President of Development will raise funds from the full spectrum of donor prospects - individuals, foundations, and corporations - to support TWS’ current initiatives and operations. He or she will provide judicious stewardship of all gifts and grants and will sustain the highest levels of donor relations. As a member of the senior management team, the Vice President of Development will also help to develop and carry out TWS’ strategic plan and will assist with TWS' organization and operations, as appropriate. The Vice President for Development will work collaboratively with the Vice President for Communication & Marketing and build an overarching communications and marketing structure for all TWS donors.
TWS seeks a senior-level, experienced, and entrepreneurial fundraiser who has both the capacity and demonstrated track record to carry out the following duties and responsibilities in an effective, efficient, and highly professional manner. He or she will be expected to contribute broadly to all aspects of the fulfillment of the TWS’ mission and growth. Specifically, the Vice President of Development will be expected to:
- Formulate, implement, and execute a successful fundraising strategy for TWS, that seeks to sustain and diversify sources of funding by expanding relationships with individual, foundation, and corporate funders;
- Establish immediate, intermediate, and long-range goals to achieve aggressive annual operating revenue, currently in the $23 million range but with aspirational growth goals of 5-10 percent a year;
- Once Vision has been completed, with colleagues, develop a Case for Support for TWS and effectively communicate the Case to appropriate constituencies to increase and diversify philanthropic giving;
- Work collaboratively with the President, Senior Vice President, and other members of the senior management team to increase visibility and enhance the reputation of TWS on a national level to the broader community of funders;
- Work collaboratively with Vice President for Communication & Marketing to develop an integrated marketing and communication strategy for TWS donors;
- In partnership with the senior leadership team and members of the Governing Council, cultivate and solicit gifts;
- Oversee judicious stewardship of all gifts and maintain close relationships with donors;
- Effectively manage the day-to-day functioning of the TWS’ development activities and assure that such activities are designed and implemented to support TWS’ goal of an integrated and coordinated development effort;
- Continually foster an environment that encourages cooperation, collaboration and collegiality across the development team and throughout the organization.
- Plan and oversee the Development Department's annual budget;
- Monitor and assess departmental expenditures and revenue on a regular basis;
- Develop a deep understanding of all TWS projects and initiatives and coordinate the work of the Development Department with the work of these projects;
- Work with TWS’ project staffs to pursue a comprehensive and effective development program; and
- Work collaboratively with TWS’ outside fundraising consultants.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A passionate commitment for, and an ability to articulate eloquently, the complex goals, mission and aspirations of TWS and its programs.
- A baccalaureate degree (master's preferred);
- Ten years or more of development experience;
- The stature, credibility, and poise to interact and work effectively with a Governing Council comprised of high-powered, prominent political, business, and academic executives;
- Demonstrated success in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gifts, with an emphasis on individual donors (membership, major gifts and planned giving);
- Demonstrated achievement in working with board and executive leadership;
- Significant success in managing and prioritizing all tasks associated with development work;
- Experience using donor tracking systems and databases;
- Strong management skills, both strategic and operational, with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and a record of managing a talented and diverse staff;
- The ability to manage multiple tasks, plan, organize and communicate effectively, and work with little direct supervision;
- An ability to quickly learn complex issues and to translate those issues into understandable subject matter for funding prospects;
- Superior oral and written communications skills; and
- Superior interpersonal skills and the capacity to work well with people at all levels within the organization.
Position location is preferably in Washington, DC
At TWS, we advocate for and protect the rich variety of life, values and experiences that wild places provide; as an organization we are equally committed to honoring diversity in our staff and creating an inclusive work environment.
Interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit applications via electronic mail to staffing@tws.org with Vice President, Development in the subject line.
