Associate Director of Development, Corporate & Foundation

OFFICE LOCATION

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

WHO WE ARE

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

Based in Phoenix, AZ, the Associate Director of Development (ADoD) for Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) works closely with the State Director, Director of Development, development team and program leaders to plan, implement, and coordinate effective multi-year strategies to generate support for the critical conservation priorities of The Nature Conservancy from corporations and foundations. The position will directly manage corporate and foundation relationships and support other staff in managing these relationships. The position may also provide strategic advice and support to enhance the functioning of the development program.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU

The Nature Conservancy is seeking an Associate Director of Development CFR who’s passionate about fundraising and business development to help convey TNC’s mission to diverse groups. You would be part of a team of philanthropy and development professionals cultivating relationships and gifts with our amazing donors. Come join us! The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation leader and one of the top fundraising charities in the United States.

The Associate Director of Development for CFR is responsible for managing a portfolio of corporate/foundation donors, serving as the relationship manager for complex and high-profile current and prospective institutional donors.  Duties are anticipated in the percentages below and may fluctuate based on the business needs:

A. Fundraising (approximately 85%)

• Responsible for at least 70–90 moves and 10–15 letters of intent or proposals annually with an annual fundraising goal of $1 million or more, with an increase over time.
• Understand and apply complex principles of developing donor strategies.
• Direct asks to support both global and local priorities to meet funding needs.
• Provide opportunities for donors to receive recognition and increase future giving.
• Work across our State and World Office teams to involve and engage appropriate subject matter experts and other conservation partners in outreach and proposal/report development, and to keep them apprised of interactions, issues, and/or concerns while addressing questions as needed.
• Build strong partnerships in Arizona and across TNC to build aspirational donor proposals, often against tight deadlines.
• Involve and engage appropriate partners in the field and at the Worldwide Office, keeping them apprised of interactions, issues, and/or concerns, and address questions as needed.
• Cultivate and steward donors through effective communications, site visits, update meetings, and other methods of ensuring meaningful relationships.
• Manage Corporate Engagement processes; serve as the Arizona Business Unit expert in TNC Corporate Engagement policies and prioritize training and other ways of staying abreast of issues.
• Engage with trustees to maximize corporate networks and philanthropy.
• Collaborate with Marketing and External Affairs to maximize opportunities for visibility and influence.
• Maintain an understanding of Arizona, regional, national, and global corporate sustainability priorities and alignment with TNC.
• Secure TNC representation and/or represent TNC at key corporate events and venues such as GreenBiz and local and regional venues; engage with corporate partners to elevate TNC profile and opportunities.
• Manage the Corporate Registry process for philanthropic engagements for the
• Arizona Chapter, responsible for due diligence in vetting potential engagements.
• Assist and advise on non-philanthropic engagements (marketing, mitigation, and other) as needed.
• Communicate the programs of the Conservancy in detailed terms; and confidently discuss all opportunities to connect to our work through philanthropy at varied levels of complexity.
• Understand project budgets; may build proposal budgets utilizing this knowledge.
• Develop a referral network as needed.
• Required to use the Conservancy’s donor database
• Lead in the development of proposals.

B. Other (approximately 15%)

• May manage formal and/or informal networks of volunteers.
• Arrange and attend various donor meetings and events.
• Administrative areas, such as accurately and timely preparing/presenting reports; timecards; expense reports and performance evaluations.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Bachelor’s degree and 6 years related experience or an equivalent combination.
Experience:

• Building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents, particularly corporations and foundations
• Asking for and closing gifts of $50,000 or more
• Managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors
• Working with cross-functional teams, preferably in a large non-profit or university setting
• Working with fundraising principles and practices
• Working with Windows, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel and Word), and internet research
• Working with databases, including managing and tracking data, and producing reports
• Occasionally lift, push, pull, move 25 pounds
• Youth qualified (within initial 30 days; annually thereafter)

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience managing major corporate and foundation funders active in Arizona
• Ability to design and manage fundraising plans, including individualized cultivation, solicitation and recognition plans
• Ability to determine interests, capacity and potential of corporations and foundations for helping the Conservancy meet its goals, and act appropriately to tie those interests with the Conservancy’s work
• Demonstrated writing and presentational ability
• Experience managing the creation of fundraising proposals and budgets against deadlines
• Demonstrated experience using listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships and motivate donors and volunteers
• Proven ability to negotiate complex, high profile or sensitive agreements and conduct appropriate due diligence in accordance with TNC guidelines
• Process- and project-management oriented
• Understanding of corporate communications
• Ability to negotiate gifts and gift agreements and represent the organization’s interests
• Understanding of corporate sustainability issues and goals
• Ability to develop an internal network to assess and manage risk
• Experience working in a metrics-driven culture

WHAT WE BRING

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into 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 and partners, we impact conservation around the world! 

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including; health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, accrued paid time off (including annual, personal, and sick leave), life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellness benefits. Benefits may be subject to generally applicable eligibility, waiting period, contribution, and other requirements and conditions.  Learn more about our benefits at nature.org/careers. We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellness, and flexibility needs of the people we employ.  Our employees may also choose to participate in Nature Friday – whereby every other week they compress their normally scheduled 5-day, 35-hour workweek into 4 days and have Friday off (i.e., Nature Friday!). 

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.

Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/  under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

SALARY INFORMATION

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $87,700-$118,200 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org  with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.