Director of Development

POSITION: Director of Development

ORGANIZATION: California Trout

LOCATION: San Francisco, California

WEBSITE: www.CalTrout.org

ORGANIZATION: California Trout (CalTrout) is a highly
recognized, effective and financially strong conservation-based
non-profit headquartered in San Francisco. For more than 50 years,
CalTrout has championed a remarkable number of initiatives focused
on revitalizing waters for resilient wild fish and a better
California. With more than 60 largescale conservation projects
underway, in tandem with public policy efforts in Sacramento, their
seven regional offices work tirelessly to advance their cause
through a four-pillared approach to conservation: science,
restoration, community engagement, and advocacy. CalTrout is backed
by a passionate Board along with highly committed donors and a
strong membership base.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:  The Director of Development
reports directly to the Executive Director.

POSITION SUMMARY:  CalTrout is seeking a dynamic and
experienced Development Director who can help lead their
fundraising efforts into the next phase of organizational growth.
The position develops, implements, and monitors a comprehensive
fundraising plan to expand philanthropic support of the
organization including identifying and strengthening relationships
with community stakeholders, actively pursuing and managing
corporate and individual leads, foster strong donor and sponsor
stewardship, and seeking, applying for and managing grant funding.
Additionally, this position plans and produces internal CalTrout
fundraising events. CalTrout is completing a strategic planning
process in the next few months and embarking on a capital campaign
to fund the plan.

The Development Director will lead the development and
implementation of the fundraising campaign working closely with the
Executive Director, staff leadership and Board of Directors. The
Director of Development will be a trusted and valued professional
partner to the Executive Director, COO and Board of Directors. The
Director of Development will build, lead and develop a talented
team of fundraising professionals.

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key responsibilities for the Director of Development
include:

• Design and implement a comprehensive development funding plan
annually which maintains the fiscal health of the organization and
provides future financial resources for growth and expansion.
Including but not limited to major gifts, planned giving,
individual/foundation gifts, grant writing and management,
corporate major giving, annual appeal development and management,
third party events and internal events.

• Identify and cultivate relationships with individual donors,
foundations, and corporate partners, providing personalized and
timely communication, acknowledging contributions and updating them
on the organization’s progress.

• Lead the fundraising team in the planning and execution of
fundraising events, campaigns, and appeals to meet or exceed annual
fundraising goal of $4,500,000 including restricted and
unrestricted contributions.

• Develop and implement a fundraising campaign in FY25 to raise
$10 million in pledges over three years.

• Build and manage a portfolio of 60 – 100 individual donors
with the capacity to give $10,000 – $50,000. Create, manage and
execute a plan for all donors within the managed portfolio.

• Conduct approximately 120 meaningful donor visits per
year.

• Meet or exceed any additional fundraising goals defined for
the fiscal year.

• Supervise Event Coordinator in the planning and execution of
key fundraising events and donor cultivation and stewardship
events.

• Collaborate with the Leadership Team, Board of Directors and
other staff to secure major gifts and provide direction in
fundraising strategy, particularly in their efforts to plan for the
next capital campaign.

• Understand and apply complex principles of developing donor
strategies.

• Supervise the planned giving development manager in the
promotion and stewardship of the Richard May Legacy Society.

• Deliver presentations on programs to various community,
corporate and conservation groups as needed.

• Communicate the programs in detailed terms, co-create and
discuss all opportunities to connect to their work through
philanthropy.

• Understand CalTrout’s various project budgets and build
proposal budgets utilizing this knowledge.

• Use the donor database to track donor interactions, strategy
and other metrics.

• Establish tracking tools and monitor monthly, including
interaction with Board Development Committee.

• Create funding targets for Board of Directors and manage large
donor tracking and communication plans.

• Arrange and attend various donor meetings and events.

• Work collaboratively with the Leadership Team, program staff,
and external partners to align development and communication
efforts with organizational goals.

• Collaborate with San Francisco Directors and Regional
Directors in guiding the continued growth and stability of the
organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Seven to 10-plus years of significant nonprofit fundraising
experience and proven track record of raising more than $5 million
annually.

• Five-plus years of experience in major donor cultivation and
solicitation. Proven track record of building donor relationships
and closing gifts in the five- six- and seven-figure range.

• A proven track record of maintaining effective relationships
with donors and determining the optimal scenario for successful
gift solicitation.

• Proven track record of managing, motivating and developing the
full potential of a talented development staff.

• Experience working with volunteer fundraisers to successfully
close major gifts among their networks.

• Ability to establish and monitor priorities, maintain
flexibility and meet deadlines with limited direct supervision.

• Exceptionally strong strategic thinking, analytical and
prospect research skills, and goal orientation are essential.

• Outstanding stewardship and relationship management skills
with meticulous follow-through and excellent presentation skills
while exercising creativity. Demonstrated donor recognition
strategies.

• Successful experience in making cold calls as well as
developing cultivation and solicitation strategies.

• Works well under pressure in a demanding, fast paced work
environment. Ability to operate with purpose, urgency and
accuracy.

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with both
internal and external constituencies, as well as written and verbal
required. Adept at crafting compelling and high-quality proposals,
reports, solicitation letters and donor correspondence.

• Proven experience in telling the story of an organization and
its effectiveness. Excels at articulating organization goals,
outcomes, objectives, and evaluation strategies to donors.

• Leadership skills; proven results in collaboration and
participation with internal and outside stakeholders.

• Ability to engage and motivate groups of diverse
individuals.

• Solid comprehension of, and ability to articulate CalTrout’s
programming, mission, goals and accomplishments.

• Capital campaign experience is a plus.

• Experience with planned giving is a plus.

• Willingness to work a flexible schedule including evenings and
occasional weekends.

• Excellent research skills.

• Proven track record in grant and/or proposal writing.

• Experience working in a recognized donor database system.

• Familiarity with environmental and conservation issues,
particularly related to freshwater ecosystems, is a plus.

• Fly fishing experience is a plus.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The Director of Development should embody the following personal
characteristics:

• A deep commitment to goals and mission of CalTrout.

• A personable, flexible, diplomatic, and respectful
demeanor.

• Proven ability to serve as a team player, mentor, and leader
to motivate and inspire staff and colleagues.

• Transparency in all work.

• A well-organized and focused individual that is capable of and
interested in increasing the effectiveness of the development
team.

• Extremely proactive approach to work. Someone that is
solutions oriented.

• A good listener and strategist. Comfortable receiving input
from many sources and able to analyze and formulate disparate
information to a sound, well-organized plan.

• Intrepid yet tactful. Determined yet respectful of others’
concerns. A skilled negotiator who is open to other viewpoints.

• Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision
and cooperatively in a team environment.

• Self-starter with ability to quickly create a positive network
of relationships.

• A hard worker with a high energy level. A ‘doer’ with a
willingness to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety
of fundraising related activities.

• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt easily to
changing situations and priorities. Good judgment and consensus
building skills.

• Willingness to accept additional responsibilities as requested
by the Executive Director and/or Boards of Directors.

• Impeccable integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and a sense of
humor.

EDUCATION:  Bachelor’s Degree is required. Advanced degree
is a plus.

COMPENSATION:  The target compensation range for this
position is $160,000 to $190,000, which will be based upon
background and experience.

CONTACT:

Scott E. Miller

Direct: (415) 613-1354

[email protected]

Scott Miller Executive Search

3041 Baker Street

San Francisco, CA 94123

 

CalTrout is an Equal Opportunity Employer and their commitment
to diversity includes the recognition that their 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
CalTrout’s mission is a priority, and they 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.