Director of Giftplanning Fundraising

Who We Are:

Here at The Nature Conservancy, we’re dedicated to creating a healthier world for all. We work locally and globally, using innovative science and scalable, long-lasting solutions to tackle the most complex environmental challenges on this warming planet. We know that what we do to protect nature will mean a better future for people and planet. This is an exciting time for our organization, and we have committed to helping to solve some of the most complex challenges facing people and nature as shown through our 2030 goals.

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 Gift Planning Fundraising manages a gift planning team that secures significant financial resources from individuals to support conservation goals around the world. They will: 1. Hire, manage and establish fundraising goals for staff across the country numbering approximately 20, of whom 5 are direct reports. In directing the work of staff, promote a culture of high performance, integrity, and continuous improvement that values learning, collaboration, and a commitment to quality work. 2. Set and meet team fundraising objectives of $180 million to $220 million per year in deferred and complex gifts. Manage the team to increase pipeline for future growth, and ensure that targeted goals are met across the program. Propose and develop strategic priorities for the program, and lead the development of strategies, plans and tactics. 3. Provide ongoing gift planning guidance, counsel & resources to leadership and development professionals across the organization with an emphasis on increasing deferred gift and complex outright gifts. Engage leaders, volunteers, and colleagues in a manner that generates excitement, shared purpose, and meaningful action.
4. Ensure that processes, relationship management techniques, and data-informed decision-making guide the work of the gift planning fundraising team in donor pipeline development, according to industry best practices. Cultivate and solicit key organizational donors.
5. Serve as a member of the Gift Planning Management Team who contributes to a culture of learning and sharing, works collaboratively with development colleagues both within and outside the department to promote gift planning, helps others with their goals and engages in joint problem solving.
They are responsible for directing the Conservancy’s gift annuity, charitable remainder trust and complex gift fundraising programs and initiatives, including trade lands. The director creates and implements a strategic plan for gift planning support and staffing in major philanthropic markets, and in coaching major gift fundraising staff across the organization in deferred and non-cash asset fundraising.
The Director is a leader and manager adept at balancing internal management with external impact and visibility. They lead strategic dialogues with senior-level stakeholders - including business unit leadership and volunteers, legal/financial advisors - probing to identify key issues and requirements, negotiating, and developing solutions, and synthesizing a plan of action tailored to audience. They are able to build and nurture effective and collaborative working relationships with leadership across the organization.

We’re Looking for You:
Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.
We’re looking for someone who can lead a large multidisciplinary department and implement strategic initiatives with fundraising or business development experience who wants to make a difference. They will be an outstanding communicator that will effectively convey the mission of the Conservancy to diverse constituencies and successfully engage those constituencies in the Conservancy’s activities.
The Director will bring innovative ideas and practices to a Gift Planning program whose hallmark has been one of innovation and continual improvement as we enter our next organizational campaign. They are an individual who acts with integrity and discretion, who maintains confidentiality, and who understands and complies with all TNC gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners.

What You’ll Bring:
• Bachelor’s degree and 9 years related experience, including 3 years working at a senior level.
• Management experience of senior gift planning fundraisers, and experience attracting, developing, and retaining diverse staff talent to build a workplace culture that is fair, inclusive, equitable and collaborative in nature. • Track record of asking for, negotiating, and closing outright, blended, and planned gifts of $100,000 or more
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with major individual donors and volunteer leaders.
• Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment.
• Experience with current and evolving trends in gift planning.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (not required)
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Effectively communicate via presentations, conversations, and documents.
• Experience in managing a geographically dispersed team.
• Expert understanding of best practices in non-profit management.
• Knowledge of advanced gift planning concepts.

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 salary range for this role is expected to be $230,000-$260,000. We are eager to engage with all qualified candidates and consideration will be provided to experience and skill level.

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!

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

External Applicants:
Visit www.nature.org/careers and apply online with cover letter & resume to Job ID #53372.

All resumes and required cover letters must be submitted through The Nature Conservancy’s online application system. The application deadline is May 31, 2023.
If you experience technical problems with the site or application process, please contact applyhelp@tnc.org and include the job opening ID.

CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS OR REFERRALS: Kate Ellenbaum, Executive Recruiter, at kate.ellenbaum@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 cultures. 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 orientations, gender identities, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

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.