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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Nature Conservancy is the largest private conservation organization in the world and ranks in the top 20 charities for private dollars raised nationally, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. The Conservancy seeks a highly experienced principal gift fundraiser. The position is based in Washington DC, one of the top wealth markets in the United States, and is critical to the success of the Conservancy in the Mid-Atlantic region and around the world.

The Director for Principal Gifts is responsible for the oversight, planning and implementing of the Conservancy's DC metro market principal gift fundraising program. This program has a strategic focus on raising funds for global priorities, including those global priorities in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the United States, from individuals and select institutional principal gift donors. (Principal Gifts are defined at The Nature Conservancy as donors capable of giving at least ten million dollars or more over a five year period, with anticipated solicitations at the $5 million + level.)

S/he works with philanthropy staff across the Mid-Atlantic, including the DC metro market and other states and global strategic markets who manage donors who reside, work and/or have ties to the DC metro market. S/he works in tandem with the global wealth network of The Nature Conservancy and coordinates with the World Office executive leadership and its principal gift team. The program's goal over three to five years is to work with the World Office to double the number of principal gift prospects.

The Director oversees Mid-Atlantic principal gift functions, including research, prospect identification, strategy sessions, moves management, engagement of peers, solicitation and stewardship of principal gift prospects/donors. The Director manages a portfolio of 15-20 top prospects/donors and engages them in a series of "moves" to result in a maximum lifetime gift to the organization. S/he develops comprehensive strategies to maximize these donor relationships, crafts complex proposals for top-level supporters, and plans and executes fundraising campaigns as needed. S/he is expected to spend extensive time with each prospect/donor via peer meetings. All interactions are recorded in a donor management system. The principal gift program uses metrics to monitor progress on a quarterly and annual basis. While fundraising primarily focuses on global giving, strategies also include capital, operating, planned giving and special multi-year fundraising campaigns.

The Director for Principal Gifts also works directly with staff responsible for planned giving, donor prospecting and research, and related supportive services. S/he works with senior staff to establish fundraising goals statewide and is accountable for meeting goals.

The Director for Principal Gifts focuses on long-range strategic priorities and transformational giving opportunities which advance the Conservancy's goals, and communicates a broad vision to others. S/he understands and complies with TNC gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals.

The Director for Principal Gifts supervises a Philanthropy Coordinator and directly reports to the State Director of Philanthropy for MD. In addition, the position works closely with the State Directors for MD & VA who are actively involved in principal gift fundraising, and routinely checks-in with the Co-Director of Principal Gifts for TNC.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications or related field and at least 8 years' fundraising experience. Extensive management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage performance of a large multi-disciplinary team. Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth. Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation and capital campaigns. Proven success in asking for and closing major gifts and building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations and corporations. Possesses a working and effective understanding of the basics of charitable gift planning. Knowledge of more advanced gift planning concepts a plus.

HOW TO APPLY: Visit www.nature.org/careers and search for Job #39647. Complete the full online application and attach your resume & cover letter as a single document. All sections of the online application must be completed (e.g., work experience and education, even if information is included in resume) to be considered for a position. When you are finished, click Save and Submit. If submitted correctly, you will receive an automatic response that you are in an Applied Status. Application deadline is Midnight EST, February 12, 2011.