Director of Development, Palm Beach County

About The Everglades Foundation

Since 1993, The Everglades Foundation’s commitment to restore and protect the Everglades has been driven by science. Founded by two outdoor enthusiasts — the late George Barley and Paul Tudor Jones II — The Everglades Foundation works tirelessly to bring people together and provide a powerful voice for Everglades restoration at the state and national levels.  Today, The Everglades Foundation stands as a well-respected authoritative source for scientific research on the Everglades. Our renowned scientists are passionate seekers of the truth, dedicated to unearthing the facts and conducting practical analysis to help local, state, and national leaders make well-informed decisions. By coupling sound science with policy expertise, the Foundation is positioned as one of the most influential players in the fight to preserve and restore one of the world’s most unique wetlands.

The Everglades Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a responsible employer that seeks to recruit and retain outstanding, high-performing professionals who are at the top of their fields to thrive in a dynamic, mission-driven culture committed to excellence, innovation, collaboration, and diversity.  The Foundation offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package including twelve paid Federal holidays; ample Paid Time Off; a variety of health, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental insurance options; retirement plan and matching employer contributions; and maternity and parental leave.

Position Summary

The Director of Development for Palm Beach County possesses thorough knowledge of philanthropy and demonstrable success in stewarding major donors and securing major gifts of $10,000 and above.  The Director has versatile fundraising expertise, cares deeply about philanthropy, has worked with sophisticated donors and Boards of Directors, and has a passion and enthusiasm for the Everglades. The Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing fundraising, stewardship, and donor acquisition activities in Palm Beach County.

Reporting to the Vice President of Development and collaborating closely with the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors, particularly in Palm Beach, the Director of Development takes initiative, utilizes creative thinking and innovative development strategies, and actively seeks to deepen current donor relationships and to forge new ones. The Director will execute a comprehensive development strategy to acquire new donors and sustain the current major donor base for the Foundation in Palm Beach County. The Director will plan and implement ongoing fundraising efforts and activities, including Everglades briefings, tours, and the annual ForEverglades Palm Beach Benefit.

Primary Responsibilities

The Director of Development, Palm Beach, reports to the Vice President of Development and has the following responsibilities: 

Fundraising Goals

Achieve annual fundraising goals for total dollars raised and acquisition of new donors and be accountable for annual results. 

Fundraising Strategy

Collaborate with the Vice President of Development and the Development Team to identify strategies for donor acquisition, solicitation, and retention, with particular focus on Palm Beach County. Develop and maintain key long-term relationships with donors and prospects, including a personal pool of major gift prospects to cultivate, solicit, and steward.  Conduct research, prospecting, and application to multiple donor sources and work to incorporate annual giving strategies and tactics to advance donors toward major giving.

Outreach, Education, and Events

Assess, plan, organize, and manage events and activities such as tours, receptions, briefings, meetings, benefits, and other major events in Palm Beach County, including a major role in the ForEverglades Palm Beach benefit. Be willing and able to support, participate in, and lead effective and engaging educational Everglades briefings, tours, and presentations as part of development efforts.

Communications & Follow-up

Collaborate and communicate effectively and efficiently with the Executive Leadership Team, other members of the Development Team, the Communications Team, Program Directors, and all levels of Foundation staff.  Write and provide personal, proactive, timely responses and relevant updates on programs, initiatives, and activities of the Foundation. Maintain accurate and up-to-date Palm Beach County donor records in the Foundation’s database.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Attributes

• Ability to understand objectives of the overall fundraising program and to integrate personal goals with strategic objectives of the Foundation.
• Ability to analyze, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic development plans.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to passionately articulate the vision, mission, and goals of the organization to effectively to secure gifts at the assigned donor level.
• Skilled at establishing and cultivating strong relationships with donors and peers externally and across different levels of the organization.
• Must present the highest level of professionalism and ethics.
• Capability to assess, manage, and successfully complete multiple competing priorities.
• Flexibility to adjust to and participate in occasional “all hands-on deck” circumstances and events.
• Ability to be flexible and work under deadlines and time constraints.
• Ability to thrive in a high-energy, fast-paced work environment and part of a team of ambitious, high-functioning, goal-oriented professionals.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to proactively solve problems and think analytically.
• Punctual, reliable, and self-directed.
• Ability to effectively work remotely, independently, and under limited supervision.
• An optimistic outlook and enthusiastic attitude.
• Passion and enthusiasm for the Everglades and/or the environment a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, CFRE a plus.
• 5+ years of experience plus proven success fundraising for a mid- to large-sized nonprofit organization including knowledge and experience in fundraising techniques with particular attention to major gifts fundraising and events management; and thorough understanding of and ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle, including generating prospect leads; initiating contact with current and prospective donors; developing appropriate cultivation “moves management” strategies, including working with volunteers and board members; moving potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation; personally, making solicitations; and maintaining stewardship contacts with donors.
• Proven ability to achieve fundraising goals.
• Experience in and thorough knowledge of fundraising software required; experience with Raiser’s Edge database preferred.
• Demonstrable experience planning, leading, and managing development projects, including coordinating with peers to achieve desired outcomes, and tracking and reporting on progress to senior leadership and Board of Directors.
• Experience planning and coordinating successful fundraising events.
• Commitment to the mission of The Everglades Foundation and ability to communicate with it confidently and persuasively.

Mental and Physical Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the above minimum qualifications and be able to perform each of the essential duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the physical and mental requirements of the job.  Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job. 

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to concentrate and analyze information.
• Ability to proactively solve problems and think analytically.
• Ability to make sound, prompt decisions.
• Manual hand dexterity required to operate IT devices and complete paperwork.
• Endurance to work long hours, including nights and weekends.

Salary: Starting at $90,000 and commensurate with experience.

Accountability

The Director of Development for Palm Beach County reports to the Vice President of Development and coordinates closely with the entire Development team.

Location and Schedule

The Foundation’s main office is located in Palmetto Bay, Florida. This is a full-time exempt, regional  position, based in the region of Palm Beach County. The employee in this role will work from home and is required to attend meetings, tours, and events in the region. Occasional weekend and evening work, as well as occasional travel to the Foundation’s main office in Palmetto Bay for departmental meetings, all-staff retreats, to other areas of Florida for Board meetings, or other events is required.

This job description accurately reflects the Director of Development, Palm Beach County position as currently configured.  However, this job description is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all the duties an employee in this position may be expected to perform.  Employees are expected to perform all other duties as may be assigned and/or directed.

This job description may be changed to include new responsibilities and tasks, or change existing ones, at any time, as the Foundation deems necessary.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer that affords equal protection against discrimination to job applicants and employees. The Foundation seeks to ensure that qualified applicants will have an equal opportunity with respect to all employment practices regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, status as a victim of domestic or dating violence, source of income, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.