Job Details

Are you a strategic thinker and passionate communicator who thrives on building meaningful relationships? Colorado West Land Trust is seeking a Development Director to join our senior management team and lead our fundraising and communications programs. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and grow programs in an expanding organization. CWLT is a well-respected, mission-driven organization with deep roots in Western Colorado's communities. If you're ready to make a difference, have strong leadership skills, a passion for conservation, and a talent for building lasting partnerships, apply with us today!

JOB SUMMARY

The Development Director advances the mission of Colorado West Land Trust by developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising and communications strategy to strengthen the community's investment in CWLT. S/he also works to secure and grow a dynamic base of support from a variety of funding sources, and raise awareness of CWLT within the regional service area. The Development Director leads the organization's fundraising and outreach activities, mentors and manages development staff, and collaborates closely with CWLT's other professional staff, board members, donors, funders, and external partners. The Development Director is relationship-oriented, can develop constructive and cooperative relationships with others and maintain them over time, and is committed to achieving fundraising targets.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Lead the Land Trust's Development program, developing and implementing long and short term Fundraising, and Marketing and Communications Plans.
• Member of the Leadership Team; participate in leadership meetings including annual planning and strategic planning.
• Educate and engage the Board of Directors in fundraising.
• Staff lead for the Donor Relations Committee; manage the Committee in close partnership with the Committee Chair.
• Achieve annual fundraising targets.
• Mentor and manage the Development Team staff with individual goal setting, work planning, coaching, and meaningful performance evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with Land Trust Accreditation standards and practices, federal and state legislation, and best practices for fundraising; stay informed of changes; recommend and implement new policies and policy changes as needed.

Funds development

• Manage and grow existing Annual Giving, Membership, Monthly Giving, Planned Giving, and Sponsorship programs.
• Lead and advance the Major Donor program; manage a portfolio of donors and prospects; coordinate other development staff and board members' major donor activities; oversee donor acquisition.
• Create and implement new fundraising programs and campaigns to meet the needs of the organization.
• Manage and coordinate capital campaigns.
• Manage and coordinate the grants program to ensure compliance with all grant conditions and reporting requirements.
• Grant writing, management, and reporting for select grants.

Outreach

• Oversee marketing, communications, and outreach activities; work with the Development and Outreach Team staff to develop annual activities in alignment with the Fundraising, and Marketing and Communications Plan.
• Ensure development of the annual Marketing and Communications Plan.
• Represent CWLT in the nonprofit community and collaborations; join and actively participate in organizations that provide education, networking, and mentoring.

Financial planning and budget management

• Create and manage an annual budget for the Development and Outreach programs; ensure development of event budgets.
• Prepare reports on fundraising activities and programs as needed.

Professionalism and teamwork

• Establish and sustain cordial, productive, and trustworthy relationships with board members, funders, and external partners.
• Build and maintain positive collegial relationships within the Development Team and CWLT staff at large.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with colleagues, board members, funders, and all other partners.
• Demonstrate problem solving skills. Proactively develop and recommend solutions.
• Accept feedback in the spirit of growth and continuous improvement.
• Maintain productivity when working remotely and in an office setting.

Other responsibilities

• Oversee management and effective use of the donor database.
• Attend Board meetings as requested by the Executive Director.
• Other duties as requested by the Executive Director.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of donor relations and fundraising strategies with individuals, foundations, corporations, and other sources.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, solicit, and steward gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other sources.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and interpret trends in individual giving to respond with appropriate solicitation strategies.
• Demonstrated organizational abilities including collaborating, planning, delegating, and program development.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication. Public speaking experience preferred.
• Experience with CRM and donor database applications, technical aptitude, and ability to optimize application.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Publisher).
• Valid driver's license and ability to drive safely in urban and rural areas obeying all traffic laws.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to the organization's missions.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years of direct experience in fundraising/development or other relevant industry.
• Professional fundraising/development experience that includes work history with individual giving, corporate engagement, and grant writing responsibility.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequently moves supplies and equipment for events.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Environment for office work is temperature controlled.
• Outdoor events may expose individual to weather elements such as rain, snow, wind, heat and cold.