Director of Development and Community Engagement

Help us grow our nonprofit environmental organization! As the leading non-profit organization dedicated to water conservation and river restoration on the South Shore, The North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA) empowers residents to protect their waters locally. Our NSRWA community is 6,000+ strong, including our many partners: members, donors, advocates, businesses and other organizations who care about local waters and want to make sure we have clean waters and resilient watersheds for all. Founded in 1970, we have a trajectory of water conservation for more than 50 years. Today, we aspire to build a stronger foundation for our education and engagement programs to connect people to their waters; restore our rivers and streams; increase equitable access to nature; and inspire action to build resilient watersheds across the South Shore. For 2024, our Annual Budget is over $1 million, with our major gifts program as a fundamental source of funding to meet our financial goals.

Our Executive Director leads a team of 10 staff and a group of seasonal employees. We count on the support of 1,600 members and 750 volunteers annually. The NSRWA Board of Directors with its 16 members brings varied expertise and skills to lead the organization. Our Advisory Council of up to 30 serving members brings together strategic leaders who provide advice and broaden the reach and impact of our work. We are a passionate group working steadfastly to protect our local waters and to inspire a community of stewards dedicated to resilient watersheds across the South Shore.

The Development and Community Engagement Director position requires a leader who, in partnership with the Executive Director and Board, can ensure the financial health of the organization through major gifts, membership support, and volunteer engagement. We host a few main events annually.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to meet organizational goals
• Steward and cultivate major donor relationships for both current and prospective donors. Build the pipeline of major donors.
• Lead all aspects of events that engage our community (current donors, prospective donors and businesses) and support Event Committees of the Board of Directors.
• Manage and ensure the data integrity of the CRM (constituent relationship management) database, provide reports to the development committee, board and executive director on status of fundraising, and carry out and oversee all fundraising campaigns, donor mailings (membership and year-end appeals) and other solicitations.
• Develop and implement a strategy for volunteer recruitment, management and retention for annual programs and events. Oversee NSRWA’s Volunteer Database, and provide staff support for volunteer management and outreach with volunteer coordinators.
• Oversee the work of NSRWA’s Community Engagement Manager. Oversee entry of gifts into the database, gift acknowledgements, and maintenance of a healthy database system.
• Working with our Marketing and Communications Director, provide a presence for the NSRWA in the community by developing, managing and engaging constituents in programs and events that actively connect them to the NSRWA and local watersheds.
• Identify, develop and prepare grant proposals in partnership with the Executive Director and other staff.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATES WE SEEK

The NSRWA is seeking a creative and enthusiastic fundraising professional to partner with our Executive Director and Board of Directors to continue to strengthen and grow our fundraising and engagement programs. They should bring a successful record in attracting and sustaining private funding, strategic thinking, a can-do attitude, and a sense of humor to their work.

Essential qualifications include:

• Must have a passion for the environment and the mission and purpose of the NSRWA
• Bachelor’s degree and 3 or more years of management experience in the nonprofit sector
• Minimum of 3 years of fundraising experience with a minimum of one year experience in major gift fundraising strategy development, building donor relationships, and soliciting donors
• Familiar with membership and donor recruitment and retention strategies
• Strong analytical skills and experience in using CRM (constituent relationship management) databases.
• Experienced in event management
• Ability to attract, develop, and retain volunteers, as well as maintain a high level of performance to effectively utilize their talents
• Experience working in partnership with a Board of Directors and volunteers to effectively raise funds, solicit sponsors, and broaden the base of support
• Effective writing and public speaking (one on one and larger groups), and the ability to effectively represent the NSRWA in the community
• Strong interpersonal skills and relationship building capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work, take initiative, resolve problems, follow through, and ensure objectives are met in a timely manner

In addition the position requires that the candidate have a:

• Familiarity and comfort with office computer software and hardware, in particular CRM databases, cloud based technology, social media and the Internet to effectively support fundraising
• Valid driver’s license and car
• Work flexibility, including occasional nights and weekends as needed to support events and attend meetings
• Must be able to lift 20-40 lbs
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to see, stand; walk, climb stairs, talk and hear. The employee is required to sit; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, or crouch.

Preferred qualifications:

• Knowledge of the issues and trends related to raising funds for environmental organizations

Compensation, Benefits, and Perks

This is a full-time, 40-hour/week salaried position. Some weekend and evening work is required. The position is based out of the NSRWA offices at 214 South St Norwell with some flexibility to work remotely as allowed. Competitive salary commensurate with experience. NSRWA offers paid vacation, sick and holiday time, 3% match contribution to a retirement plan and 50% of the cost of an individual insurance policy from an eligible Health Care plan.

Other Requirements

Employees must complete a CORI Background Check, and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

NSRWA’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
NSRWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race, or sexual orientation. NSRWA is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring, workplace, and work. Individuals with backgrounds underrepresented in the environmental field are particularly encouraged to apply.