Office Location:

Des Moines, Iowa

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Davenport, Iowa

Council Buffs, Iowa

Flexible within the entire state of Iowa.The DOD will travel frequently and on short notice, work long hours and weekends.  

#Li-hybrid

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube  or on Glassdoor.  

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Director of Development (DOD) oversees, plans, and implements a comprehensive program for The Nature Conservancy in Iowa that secures significant philanthropic resources from individuals, corporations, and foundations for conservation in Iowa and around the world. They must be inquisitive and self-motivated to learn domestic and global conservation strategies and become adept at linking the two. A demonstrable commitment to conservation will be a distinct advantage.

Based in Iowa, this position manages all major gifts functions, including planned giving, principal gifts, donor prospecting and research, and special multi-year fundraising campaigns. The DOD recruits, develops and inspires a staff of high-performing development professionals to manage and solicit current and prospective donors with the capacity to make major and principal-level gifts in support of domestic and global conservation priorities. The DOD is personally responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of donors capable of making six to seven-figure gifts over time.

They must be a strong and inspiring leader and experienced in program management, designing and executing complex donor strategies, and executing a comprehensive fundraising campaign. The DOD must be able to work in collaboration with conservation experts, high-level volunteers, and others across a dispersed and complex organization. They will model a commitment to teamwork, transparency, and accountability.

Essential Functions Include:

Fundraising Leadership

• Serve on the Iowa Leadership Team and contribute to the formulation of key strategies for the Chapter.
• Work with the Iowa Leadership Team and development staff to develop and communicate a vision and multi-year fundraising goals, and accountability to achieve these goals.
• Work with the State Director to strengthen and engage the Board of Trustees in fundraising.
• Serve as a member of the Great Plains Division Philanthropy team and collaborate with other Development leaders, Business Unit leaders, and Division staff to apply Divisional and organizational resources to Division conservation priorities. 
• Lead Chapter development efforts to raise funds in support of The Nature Conservancy’s Iowa program, division, and global conservation priorities.
• Communicate, internally and externally, a broad vision for fundraising and local, regional, and international conservation success.
• Foster collaboration with colleagues from the Conservancy’s Worldwide Office and with other field-based fundraising programs.
• Focus on highest return activities aimed at achieving long-range strategic priorities that advance the Conservancy’s global mission.
• Bring the donor's voice to leadership team discussions and ensure fundraising strategies and staff are consistently represented.  
• Maintain a strong relationship with conservation and finance leadership in Iowa to ensure a collaborative understanding of sources and uses of funding, honoring donor intent.

Management and Mentoring

• Lead, inspire, and manage the Iowa development team to achieve relationship-building and funding objectives, with a focus on major and principal gift functions and planned giving. 
• Set and meet fundraising objectives, evaluate results, and coach fundraisers on developing strategies.
• Develop and administer budgets.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing development staff and nurture team collaboration.

The following attributes would enhance a candidate’s potential for success:

• Considerable knowledge of and experience working in Iowa’s philanthropic communities and networks of social and professional relationships within it.
• A deep appreciation for the mission of conservation and the capacity to communicate the Conservancy’s work and its relevance to the health of our environment, the economy and the well-being of people.
• Experience working for a national, global and/or highly decentralized organization and within a complex management environment.
• Ability to create a vision for, plan and lead a comprehensive fundraising program.
• Successful experience working with donors leading Trustees and other volunteer fundraisers in major gift fundraising.
• Experience in soliciting and closing six and seven figure gifts.
• Experience leading teams and individuals, managing projects virtually, and collaborating with and influencing staff they do not directly supervise.
• Experience in developing fundraising talent in professional staff and volunteers.

The DOD will travel frequently and on short notice, work long hours and weekends.  The work environment may involve infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.

We’re Looking for You:

Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I make a difference?”, but you don’t know where to go or have the time to do it?  Welcome to The Nature Conservancy.  

You have found the solution and now you can pointedly make a difference every day! By joining our Iowa team, you will become part of a group that is a force for nature and people.  Our team consists of a dedicated group who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts and who expertly bring strategy and action together.  

We’re looking for an experienced fundraising professional, who excels at running a successful fundraising program, and who wants to make a difference.  The Conservancy is a global conservation leader and one of the top fundraising charities in the United States.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years related experience. 
• Experience asking for and closing major gifts of at least six figures. 
• Experience working with donors on, and securing, gifts of stock, real estate, and other tangible assets.
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations, and corporations. 
• Experience in planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities. 
• Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team. 
• Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of charitable giving, particularly in the areas of capital campaigns, major gifts and planned giving.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, particularly writing and public presentations.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record. 

Desired Qualifications

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• An appreciation for the mission of The Nature Conservancy and the facility to understand and communicate the work.
• Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment.
• Effective training skills.  
• Effectively communicates via presentations, conversations, and documents.  
• Experience in managing a geographically dispersed team. 
• Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation. 
• Knowledge of advanced gift planning concepts. 
• Proficiency in synthesizing materials from multiple sources into a coherent and accurate summary. 
• Understanding of best practices in non-profit management.
• Experience with database systems, Excel, BBCRM, or any other fundraising software.

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs 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 $100,000 - $113,000 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 55423, 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.

Our recruiting process is a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

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.

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.