Position Profile
TRIANGLE LAND CONSERVANCY
www.triangleland.org
Director of Development
Raleigh, NC
The Organization
The mission of Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) is to protect important open space—stream corridors, forests, wildlife habitat, farmland and natural areas—in Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Orange and Wake counties to help keep the region a healthy and vibrant place to live and work. Founded in 1983, TLC currently protects nearly 11,000 acres of land in six Piedmont counties, including four nature preserves that are open to the public for recreation and 100 other places with diverse natural habitats, streams and rivers, and productive forestland and farmland.
TLC is an advocate for open space protection, respected by many as an objective authority on voluntary land conservation. It identifies the most important natural and working lands in the region, and uses a variety of conservation methods to ensure the permanent protection of the land. TLC also recognizes the long-term responsibility of preserving the ecological integrity of the land, accomplished through monitoring programs.
TLC has an active 18-member board, hundreds of volunteers, and a committed staff of 15 conservation professionals. The current annual operating budget is $950,000, with endowments totaling $1,000,000. TLC is funded by more than 3,000 members, special campaigns to protect specific places, corporate partnerships and grants from the state and private foundations. As part of the 25th anniversary celebration in February 2008, TLC launched the public phase of an initiative to raise $5.5 million, called the Campaign for Our Water, Our Land.
THE AREA
The Triangle area of North Carolina includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Located within the area are the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park, home to corporate giants and the destination for many corporate relocations.
Geographically, Raleigh is located in the center of North Carolina with only short drives to both the beaches and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The climate is mild with an average high of 88 degrees in mid-summer and 52 degrees in mid-winter. North Carolina is noted for its beautiful countryside, rivers, sounds and forests. Eastern North Carolina is populated by comfortably-sized communities where the cost of living is low, the lifestyle is relaxed, the winters are mild, outdoor living stretches year-round, and the beaches are plentiful and varied.
The Triangle is an area of outstanding educational resources offering seventeen universities and colleges. For residents, tuition to the acclaimed UNC-affiliated universities, many of which are located in eastern North Carolina, is held to a minimum by the State’s Constitution.
The Triangle is an area of tremendous resources where cultural and performing arts organizations thrive. Major institutions include the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Museum of History, Marbles Kids Museum, Ackland Art Museum, Nasher Museum of Art, Museum of Natural Sciences, Morehead Planetarium, Carolina Ballet, the Opera Company of North Carolina, North Carolina Theatre and American Dance Festival.
In addition to these educational and arts resources, the Triangle is rich in natural areas and preserves, developed for low-impact recreation like hiking, birdwatching, and photography. State and local parks and green spaces enhance the lives of the region’s residents and attract visitors.
THE CANDIDATE
The Director of Development, reporting to the President, is responsible for leading a team of staff and volunteers to advance the TLC mission and to build the support base for new and expanding initiatives. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of fundraising through a comprehensive development program, including creating and implementing strategies and initiatives for increasing funding and managing the existing capital campaign.
Joining the TLC team in the early stages of the public phase of the Our Water, Our Land campaign, the successful candidate will influence the progress and success of the campaign, and directly improve TLC’s capacity to protect vital lands in the region.
The successful candidate will be a self-starter who thrives in a hard-working environment and who enjoys taking charge and achieving results. This person must present a professional image coupled with excellent verbal and presentation skills, and understand the dynamics involved in successful fundraising. He or she must be a strategic thinker with strong organizational skills and attention to detail. The ability to manage multiple priorities with tight timelines is essential.
The successful candidate will be both a team leader and team member, who will lead efforts as well as pitch in when needed on other efforts. The workplace is informal with staff members valuing their personal relationships with other staff members. It is a place that values integrity and accountability as basic expectations.
The Director of Development plays a key role in the organization which requires that the individual have a confident, polished approach. The successful candidate will be smart and entrepreneurial, with a strong sense of integrity. Above all, he or she must have a passion and interest for environmental work.
THE POSITION
This is a great opportunity for the new Director of Development to grow this position and organization and create a legacy. In this role, the Director of Development will be part of the leadership team responsible for strengthening and enhancing the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission. This high-energy position serves as a primary representative for Triangle Land Conservancy, requiring an individual who is familiar with and well-connected to the community and able to communicate the passion for the mission.
Until the planned completion of the campaign in March 2010 and the post-campaign wrap up, the Director of Development will focus his/her time on the successful completion of the Our Water, Our Land Campaign, providing limited oversight for the ongoing development program.
Reporting to the President, the Director of Development is responsible for:
- Managing a development team of three professionals.
- Conducting capital campaigns.
- In collaboration with the development team, planning and executing a comprehensive fundraising and membership program, and implementing new strategies to increase income.
- Developing and administering a planned giving program.
- Identifying and engaging individuals, foundations, corporations and governments in an active and systematic giving program.
- Managing an annual major donor campaign.
- Working with the Board of Directors, Campaign Committee, president and the development team in identifying and cultivating prospects.
- Designing and administering a program for soliciting funding from private foundations.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- Strong organization skills, attention to detail, and experience with annual/multi-year planning and budgeting.
- Superior verbal and written communication skills and an outstanding ability to build positive relationships.
- Ability to work with all kinds of individuals, and able to communicate effectively with fellow employees and development team members.
- Three to five years professional fundraising experience with proven success in major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations involving face-to-face solicitation and grant-writing as well as development of a systematic development program with an emphasis on building strong relationships with donors.
- Experience in leading a capital campaign and managing a planned giving program.
- Experience in developing and implementing a successful broad-based membership program.
- Experience with Raiser’s Edge® membership and donor tracking software.
- Demonstrated success in working as a team player as well as working independently.
- Passion for working in a nonprofit environment and for inspiring volunteers.
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Power Point.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include health, dental, life, and disability insurance; 403(b)7 retirement account.
Applicants should expect evening and week-end obligations. TLC offers a flexible work schedule and complementary (“comp”) time off to accommodate these obligations outside of the conventional work week.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Triangle Land Conservancy has retained Capability Company, an executive search firm serving nonprofits, to conduct the Director of Development search. Submit your cover letter, resume, list of three professional references and salary requirements to:
Sherry Heuser, Senior Consultant
Capability Company
TLCDD@capabilitycompany.com
Telephone: (919) 926-0746
Submission of resumes by e-mail is preferred. Please include only your last name in the subject line.
TLC is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status.
