Director of Development – Job Announcement (September 2021)

The Dutchess Land Conservancy (DLC), Dutchess County, New York, is seeking a full time experienced and results oriented development professional to join our team and to serve as Director of Development to be based in our Millbrook, NY office. The Development Director holds a central and responsible leadership position at the DLC, ensuring that the fundraising goals to support the DLC’s mission and programs are consistently met or exceeded. Candidates should have a strong belief in, and support for, land conservation. We will choose a candidate that best fits our needs and culture and who is willing to work collaboratively as part of a team. A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree and five years of successful non-profit fundraising experience at a leadership level with a proven ability to design, develop, oversee, implement, and lead all aspects of an organization’s fundraising activities is required.

Skills and Experience Preferred:

• A genuine interest and enthusiasm for land conservation and the environment and the ability to engage and inspire others to support our work.
• Demonstrated successful experience heading up a non-profit organizational development and fundraising program including: annual giving programs, major gifts, grants, corporate support, capital campaigns, planned giving, and special events and campaigns, as well as marketing, donor relations and engagement, communications, and outreach.
• Proven experience in raising funds to support the needs of a growing organization. A key focus of this position will be to increase income from donor and grant revenue to support organizational expansion.
• Ability to work closely and collaboratively with the President, Board of Directors, Development Committee and staff in a team approach to develop and implement appropriate fundraising programs and strategies.
• Annual fund drive experience including designing and successfully implementing a strategic fundraising plan.
• Expertise in developing, maintaining and cultivating major donor support including annual and capital campaigns and planned giving programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write compelling grants and other development related materials.
• Proven ability to work with key personnel and/or trustees of corporate giving programs, community businesses, and Foundations, including proven success in the acquisition of grant funding and corporate/business sponsorships.
• Ability to enlist and work with volunteers in many capacities.
• Demonstrated understanding of marketing programs, public relations strategies, overall communications techniques and approaches, and outreach methods and programs.
• Strong interpersonal and social skills including a pleasant and outgoing personality, diplomacy, the ability to listen, as well as strong moral values including integrity, honesty and respect.
• Ability to multi-task efficiently and effectively and to work with folks with a broad range of backgrounds.
• Proven understanding of ethical and legal issues related to fundraising.
• Well organized and detail oriented.
• Excellent management and follow up skills.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as appropriate to the job responsibilities.
• Willingness to serve as a DLC ambassador and represent the DLC at appropriate functions and events.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player with other staff members in a small office environment.
• Proven ability to direct and manage a workload with multiple, often competing priorities.
• Ability to develop and work within budgets and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, and an in-depth and proven working knowledge of data base management (e.g.: Raiser’s Edge, E-Tapestry), Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher (Indesign a plus).

Qualified individuals should send a cover letter and resume to sandyt@dutchessland.org by October 8, 2021.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Full job description available here.