Chief Development Officer (Remote Location)

Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the International Game Fish Association in the search for a Chief Development Officer.

Reporting to the the IGFA President, the Chief Development Officer will bring their expertise to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) by developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy for increased donor giving. The Chief Development Officer will lead and oversee all IGFA fundraising initiatives, focusing on the research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and institutions for principal gifts ($1 million+) and major gifts ($25,000+) in the form of cash, pledges and planned gifts. As a member of the IGFA senior leadership team, the Chief Development Officer will contribute to ongoing strategic planning for the organization overall, with a focus on giving. The Chief Development Officer ideally should have an inherent passion for angling and a desire to spread awareness and generate excitement for the IGFA’s mission and vision within the angling community. This position may be performed remotely and will require periodic visits to IGFA headquarters located in Dania Beach, Florida.  

Established in 1939, the International Game Fish Association is a nonprofit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and the promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices, through science, education, rulemaking, record keeping, and recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the field of angling. All of this is in aid of a vision to establish the International Game Fish Association as the most widely recognized authority on game fish and angling-related matters in the world.

In August 2021, the International Game Fish Association received the prestigious United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) accreditation allowing the organization to officially represent recreational anglers at the United Nations level globally. Never in history have the world’s recreational anglers had a voice and representative observer status at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). Other ongoing conservation objectives of the IGFA includes work to ensure the future of billfish via the IGFA Great Marlin Race satellite tagging program in conjunction with Stanford University, as well as the newly established Billfish Research and Conservation Endowment which aims to protect billfish in perpetuity. The IGFA is also helping to improve forage fish research and management, which is vital to the health of game fish stocks. Using cutting edge science, the IGFA and UMASS-Amherst are partnering to understand the golden dorado population in South America to ensure sustainable fishing opportunities for future generations. A similar project working with the Instituto Politécnico Nacional-CICIMAR and Texas A&M University in Galveston is currently underway to determine the population structure of roosterfish in Central America. In addition, the IGFA works closely with its Scientific Affiliates, who are international leaders in the fields of fisheries and marine biology, to expand IGFA’s relationship with the scientific and academic communities.

The IGFA’s education programs are geared to teach the next generation of ethical anglers and environmental stewards. By using fishing as a “carrot” to instill the importance of healthy fisheries and aquatic habitats, children and families learn to respect aquatic resources while enjoying the outdoors and creating a crucial connection to nature and many lifelong memories. The Passports to Fishing programs are “clinics in a box” that are distributed worldwide to facilitate youth angling events; free, online fishing modules designed by the IGFA education team provide training on basic fishing techniques and the conservation of game fish; and fun, safe, and educational fishing camps are held regularly in South Florida. IGFA is also partnering with respected leaders in youth angling education whose curriculum and programs align with the vision and mission of the IGFA.

The IGFA is dedicated to the recognition of angling achievement to promote the sport of fishing and the practice of ethical angling. In the early days of the IGFA, maintaining world records served as the primary form of angler recognition. Since then, the IGFA has expanded its angler recognition programs to include the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame; Tommy Gifford Award for captains and crew that have demonstrated leadership in their trade and earned the respect of their peers; and Annual Awards that recognize individuals for achievements and contributions to the sport of fishing. The IGFA also hosts a series of international fishing tournaments and is a strong supporter of other competitive angling events that are executed in a responsible manner, promote ethical angling practices, and adhere to the IGFA’s International Angling Rules.

The IGFA’s work relies on support from individuals through memberships, philanthropic gifts, corporate sponsorship, grants, and participation in various events to sustain its important conservation, education, and angler recognition efforts.

A bachelor's degree is preferred for this position as is at least eight years of senior management experience leading development or sales teams. The IGFA will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the IGFA, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and resume. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the International Game Fish Association as well as the responsibilities and qualifications stated in the position prospectus.

The salary range for this position is $160,000 to $175,000 annually.

To apply for this position, visit: https://opportunities.aspenleadershipgroup.com/opportunities/1341.