Job Overview
The Director of Philanthropy is a key organizational leader empowered with designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive fundraising program aligned with our mission and growth strategy. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position collaborates with the Board of Directors, senior management team, and staff to secure philanthropic support from the community.

Duties

• Design, manage, and implement fundraising strategies across core constituencies, including individual, foundation, corporate, and planned giving
• Collaborate with Executive Director and Board to cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts
• Motivate, train, and engage Board members in fundraising leadership
• Lead the Development Committee, including drafting agendas and managing member tasks and responsibilities
• Lead, supervise, and mentor development staff, setting clear goals and objectives, performing regular evaluations, and promoting professional development
• Lead philanthropic grants portfolio, working with staff to research and submit proposals for a range of foundations, and maintain and enhance relationships with funders
• Host regular meetings for Executive Director and development staff to review progress and coordinate work plans and strategies
• Direct all aspects of donor database management, gift recording, and gift acknowledgement
• Organize and implement the planned giving program, including recognizing and cultivating potential planned giving donors
• Collaborate with program leads and coordinate efforts to apply for and secure public grant support for key conservation projects
• Interface with finance team to provide necessary reports that inform organizational strategy and ensure adherence to nonprofit financial, audit, and legal best practices
• Perform other related duties as assigned consistent with the scope and level of the position

Requirements

• At least five years of progressively responsible fundraising experience in NPO sector
• Demonstrated success with donor solicitations and sustaining long-term donor relationships
• Experience in planning, managing, and executing development strategies
• Results oriented self-starter able to work independently and as a team leader
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Proficiency with donor database CRMs and Microsoft Office suite
• Strong ability to analyze data and use metrics to inform and optimize fundraising strategies.
• Firm commitment to ESF’s mission, and experience in conservation or related NPO a plus
• Willingness to occasionally work evenings and weekends
• Valid driver's license with minimum 3 years of driving experience and clean driving record (required for travel to ESF properties for events and donor visits.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, all applications must be submitted through our official website. Submissions through other channels will not be reviewed.

elkhornslough.org/about/careers/director-of-philanthropy/

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No phone calls.

Pay: $115,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Watsonville, CA 95076