Director of Development

Bloedel Reserve is seeking a dynamic, effective, and
collaborative Director of Development to join our team and further
advance our mission “to enrich people’s lives through a premier
public garden of designed and natural Pacific Northwest
landscapes.” The Reserve connects people to nature through its key
mission priorities of horticulture & design, conservation,
well-being, and creativity.

The Reserve is dedicated to continuing our work to become a
community-focused organization, expanding our support, and ensuring
long-term financial sustainability. We are currently focusing on
building our general operating support and ensuring our financial
stability to continue serving a record number of guests each year
and maintaining healthy membership growth.

The Director of Development will play a crucial role in this
transition by developing and implementing strategies to enhance our
financial sustainability. Key initiatives will include major gifts,
planned giving, annual giving, and membership programs, in
collaboration with the Reserve’s President/CEO, staff, and board
members. The Director will manage the Development department and
its staff, guiding the future direction and strategies of the
Reserve’s philanthropy plan.

If you are passionate about nature, community engagement, and
sustainable development, we invite you to join us in making a
lasting impact at Bloedel Reserve.

About Bloedel Reserve

Bloedel Reserve is a 140-acre wonder of nature, created by the
imagination, vision, and a passionate love of the natural world
shared by our founders, Prentice and Virginia Bloedel. Working with
the rugged geography of the land, they artfully transformed a
rough-hewn Northwest forest into a harmonious series of curated
gardens, structural features, and distinctive landscapes. The
Reserve is on the north end of Bainbridge Island, a short 35 minute
ferry ride from downtown Seattle. We share the wonders of nature
with visitors from both around the world and close to home, through
unguided walks and targeted programs to support a connection with
nature, horticulture, and the environment. 

Essential Duties &
Responsibilities 

1. Develops and implements creative and compelling initiatives and
   strategies for identifying and engaging diverse constituencies and
   expanding the donor base to meet Bloedel’s fundraising goals.
2. Develops strategies for the identification, solicitation,
   cultivation, stewardship, and growth of major gift donors.
3. Manages a portfolio of leadership and major gifts donors,
   including solicitation and gift completion.
4. Creates and implements comprehensive strategic fundraising and
   membership development plans to support annual and multi-year
   institutional vision and goals. Assures effective planning
   processes are established for strategy development, goal setting,
   reporting, metrics, and evaluation of results.
5. Develops compelling philanthropic cases for support aligned
   with institutional vision and goals through the engagement of key
   stakeholders.
6. Serves as the staff lead for the board Development Committee
   and develops and supports board engagement in donor development and
   giving activities.
7. Manages the performance of assigned staff, to include hiring,
   developing, and evaluating. Exercises expertise in evaluating and
   aligning development function and processes needed to meet
   objectives.
8. Builds and maintains strong collaborative relationships with
   staff across the organization with a focus on strong partner
   relationship with the Leadership Management Team (Director
   colleagues) to advance development and membership initiatives in
   accordance with the Master Plan.
9. Develops and manages development and membership program
   budgets.
10. Represents Bloedel in speaking engagements at internal and
    external events as appropriate.
11. Ensures successful communications, public relations, and
    marketing efforts in support of strategic and annual plans.
12. Manages our membership program, including our Canopy of Support
    member levels.
13. Innovates and creates new pathways for community members to
    learn about and engage with Bloedel Reserve in an authentic
    way. 

Qualifications 

1. Development Experience: five (5) years of
   nonprofit philanthropy experience or equivalent. Brings progressive
   thinking and understanding of development trends and best practices
   in fundraising. Knowledge of all facets of Campaigns. Direct
   experience in setting and implementing prospect/donor stewardship,
   cultivation, and solicitation strategies. Proven major gift
   solicitation skills and success.
2. Leadership & Planning: proven track record
   in building a culture of philanthropy. Significant strategic
   planning experience and the ability to influence leadership and
   mobilize stakeholders behind a vision and supporting plan.
3. Relational & Collaborative: ability to
   successfully develop and build relationships and strategic
   alliances resulting in collaboration across the organization with
   volunteers, staff, and board members.
4. Building & Leading Teams: successful
   experience building, developing, and leading a team, including
   excellent facilitation skills and the ability to engage assigned
   teams in the collective work and success of the group.
5. Working with Board Members and Volunteers:
   experience working with board members and volunteers; ability to
   create appropriate avenues for their successful participation in
   fundraising strategy and activities, including the skills needed to
   help volunteers identify and qualify new prospects.
6. Communication: exceptional written and verbal
   communication skills.
7. Emotional intelligence: demonstrates the
   ability to work in harmony at all levels, listens to and respects
   the viewpoints of others, and shares recognition.
8. Education: undergraduate degree from a college
   or university is preferred. Evidence of continuing education
   through a graduate degree, conferences, seminars, and workshops in
   fundraising techniques is a
9. Demonstrated passion for horticulture, the arts, and/or
   community involvement 
10. Must pass background check
11. Must comply with and maintain a smoke-free and drug-free work
    environment  

Authority & Reporting Structure 

This position reports directly to the President / CEO and
oversees the Development Team, which is comprised of Development
Manager and Development Coordinator. The Director of Development is
one of the Bloedel Reserve’s most public faces and will be
responsible for interacting with volunteers, staff, and Board
members every day.   

Salary &
Benefits 

This is a full-time, exempt position. Starting salary is
$100,000 – 115,000 annually, depending on the candidate’s skills
and experience. 

The Reserve also offers a generous benefits package.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance – 97% of the
  employee-only premiums paid by the Reserve
• Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability
  – 100% of the premiums paid by the Reserve
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Health Care, Dependent Care, and
  Transportation plans
• 401k Retirement Plan – discretionary 5% employer match after
  one year of service
• Support for professional development and training
• Generous vacation and sick leave, plus 8 paid holidays, and 2
  personal holidays