The Development Director provides both the overall leadership and the hands-on implementation of EV’s comprehensive development and communications platform. They are accountable for the strategy, implementation and results for all of EV’s external communications and contributed income programs including: the annual fund; major gifts program; grant writing; corporate sponsorships; direct mail; legacy giving; donor database management; fundraising events; board giving; and online giving.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Strategy: Develops and implements EV’s fundraising strategies. Works closely with the Executive Director on our annual development plan, outlining specific goals for each contributed income program. Monitors the development department income and expense budget. Support the strategic planning, outreach, and community engagement at the EcoCenter.
• Communications: Work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications in design and communications that builds the EV’s presence and profile among diverse donor and prospect audiences including local, corporate, education, science, philanthropic, and non-profit communities.
• Grants: Research and submit applications, write follow-up reports, and develop relationships with grantors.
• Corporate: Develops corporate sponsorship relationships including possible paid volunteer opportunities.
• Special Events: Manages our annual spring Wake Up to Nature (WUTN) breakfast and all other fundraising events, and donor appreciation events. 
• Direct Mail: Implements our summer, fall appeal, and end-of-year campaigns. 
• Board: Guides the development committee’s work to reach fundraising goals and actively engages some of the board in fundraising activities. Manages ongoing reporting and serves as staff liaison to the development and WUTN committee.
• Relationships: Develops and maintains relationships with individual, foundation and corporate funders.
• Admin: Directs timely and accurate response to donor concerns, requests, and gifts. Supervises the work of the Development Associate. Oversees the management and maintenance of the donor database.
• Measurement: For all development activities, track analytics and data aligned with tangible measures of success.

Requirements:

• Proven organizational and prioritization skills necessary to manage a small development and communications office to achieve optimal results. Attention to detail is a must.
• Ability to motivate and coordinate individuals and groups to support EV’s mission.
• Skilled in using a variety of prospect research tools.
• Ability to develop winning strategies for donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Capital and annual campaign management experience preferred.
• Great communication skills, both written and oral. Recognizes and uses best practices in donor communications, ethics and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to function well as an independent worker and self-starter, team builder, problem-solver and strategic thinker.

We are looking for:

• A warm leader who exudes confidence and care for others, and who builds enduring relationships.
• A person oriented toward the greater good of the organization and the natural environment.
• Someone with a respectful and accessible leadership style, self-assured and comfortable with situations of ambiguity, and able to easily relate to a wide range of constituencies.
• A highly competent team player who finds enjoyment in the workplace, and who is honest, open and balanced.
• Someone with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Someone comfortable asking others for money, and helping others who are not as comfortable do the same.
• An entrepreneurial and resourceful leader who is able to recognize and act on new and potential opportunities.
• A ‘get-it-done’ attitude who will not only provide strategic direction, but do the nitty-gritty work too.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit management or related field.
• 5+ years of communications and direct fundraising management experience including annual fund, donor prospecting and cultivation, major gifts, capital campaign, planned giving, grant writing and restricted gift management.
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office, Salesforce or equivalent database, Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat), and Google Suite
• Committed to and enthusiastic about EV’s mission and values. Previous work for environmental and/or educational organizations and organizations serving youth and families is a plus.
• Ability to attend events and networking opportunities, including some evenings and weekends.