OFFICE LOCATION
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
The DoD will be based in the Nashville, TN metro area and work in a hybrid work environment out of our Brentwood, TN office.
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.”
Since 1978, The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee helped to create or expand 31 state parks and natural areas, 20 state Wildlife Management Areas, and nine national parks, forests, and wildlife, in addition to establishing our own system of nature preserves. Between the iconic Great Smoky Mountains and the Mississippi River, the Volunteer State is renowned for its forests, rivers, caves, farmland, vibrant cities and one of the nation’s fastest growing economies. Tennessee is situated at the crossroads of a converging network of resilient and connected forests with some of the most biodiverse rivers in the country. Never has conservation of Tennessee's nature mattered more.
WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Director of Development (DoD) is responsible for directing all aspects of the Tennessee fundraising program by securing significant financial resources from individuals, foundations, and corporations to support urgent conservation goals. They identify key challenges, develop and synthesize plans of action, and deliver targeted outcomes. The DoD is responsible for recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing development staff and nurturing effective collaboration with a geographically dispersed team. The DoD reports directly to the Tennessee State Director and serves on the Tennessee chapter’s leadership team.
The Director of Development proposes and develops long-range donor strategies and tactics to communicate a broad vision to others to advance the Conservancy’s goals. They work with programs to establish, monitor, and track measures, leading indicators, and activity-level benchmarks to achieve maximum success. They manage all major gifts functions, which may include planned giving, endowments, principal gifts, donor prospecting and research, donor engagement, and special multi-year fundraising campaigns. They collaborate with conservation experts, TNC executive leadership, development staff worldwide, high-level volunteers, and others across a dispersed and complex organization. They play an active role in strategic planning for all Tennessee programs. They work closely with the State Director, the Tennessee Board Chair, and Development Committee to strengthen and engage the Board of Trustees in fundraising. They are responsible for reporting on development program activities to leadership, including the Tennessee Board of Trustees.
The DoD will be responsible for a select group of prospects and donors. They may be responsible for volunteer engagement and managing selected trustee relationships. They will travel frequently and on short notice, work long hours and occasional weekends. Their work environment may involve infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU
The Director of Development (DoD) for The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee will lead the development team to achieve a fundraising goal of at least $3.5M in philanthropic contributions from Tennessee-managed donor portfolios through a flexible, outcomes-based fundraising approach. They will develop companion pieces and other materials to show how our work in Tennessee aligns with TNC’s global campaign, One Future: Together, We Find a Way. As part of this campaign, the DoD will lead the planning and execution of Tennessee’s 50th Anniversary Campaign in preparation for the chapter’s milestone anniversary in 2028.
The DoD will engage new, diverse donors and significantly increase the donor pipeline, focusing on cultivating principal and major donors. The DoD will bring the best out of the development team and staff at large with their thought leadership, proactive spirit, and metrics-driven and inclusive approach while also providing opportunities for work-life balance to staff. They will create a working environment of trust, transparency, innovation, efficiency, and growth.
The DoD will ensure current and former trustees are fully engaged and contributing to the Tennessee program’s success, including cultivating trustee candidates. They will maintain 50% board participation in the Nature Conservancy’s Legacy Club and work closely with the Trustee Legacy Ambassador towards obtaining 75%+ participation. They will partner and engage across the ten states in TNC’s Southern US Division, and across TNC more broadly, to create enabling conditions for outcomes-level solicitations of principal gift prospects.
If you have experience supervising a development team, closing major gifts, and working in a complex non-profit environment - look no further! The Nature Conservancy may be the place for you. Apply today and find a career where you can find meaning and purpose.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience, including experience working at a senior level.
Experience asking for and closing six and seven-figure gifts.
Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as individuals, foundations, and corporations.
Experience in planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.
Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team.
Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment.
Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of relevant field.
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.
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 $150,000-$170,000 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.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 56370, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.
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.
