Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Reports To: Executive Director
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Summary:
Friends of the Boundary Waters protects the Boundary Waters and connects people of all backgrounds to the wilderness, so that this and future generations benefit from this special place. We envision a permanently protected Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico ecosystem, where all people can experience the magic of the wilderness and support its protection.
Friends is a fast-growing, mission-centric, entrepreneurial nonprofit organization with a staff of twenty dedicated individuals operating out of offices in Saint Paul and Ely, Minnesota. We are a dynamic organization that maintains a high public profile for successfully advancing our mission through our pillars of Wilderness, People, and Community.
Friends is seeking a Development Director to lead our development efforts, which provide the resources for us to advance our mission. The Development Director supervises a Major Gifts Officer, Grants Manager, and Development Associate. The Development Director works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors and collaborates with the Directors of other functional areas of the organization. The Development Director is responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive development strategy that encompasses major gifts, foundation giving, corporate partnerships, planned giving, annual appeals, public funding, and donor events.
Primary Relationships:
- Reports to the Executive Director.
- Supervises the Grants Manager, Major Gifts Officer, and Development Associate.
- Staffs the Development Committee of the Board of Directors.
- Work collaboratively with the Directors of other functional areas of the organization, including Communications, Legal, Education, and Operations
Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy to meet the organization’s development goals.
- Supervise and manage the Development Department, which includes a Major Gifts Officer, Grants Manager, and Development Associate. These management responsibilities include developing individual work plans for supervised staff and ensuring that work plan goals are achieved.
- Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Development Committee of the Board of Directors.
- Work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to establish a development plan and participate in developing the overall strategic plan for the organization.
- Maintain a portfolio of major donors and major donor prospects to steward, cultivate, and solicit.
- Collaborate with the Communications Team to develop and execute effective donor communications and marketing materials.
- Monitor and analyze data to evaluate performance and adjust strategies as needed.
- Develop and implement strategies to raise funds for Friends of the Boundary Waters Action Network, the 501(c)(4) affiliate of the Friends that engages in political activities to elect Boundary Waters champions.
Qualifications
- Minimum of ten years of nonprofit development experience with a minimum of three years of experience in a senior development position, with a proven track record of success in major gifts, foundation giving, corporate partnerships, annual appeals, and donor events.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write compelling donor communications and marketing materials.
- Strong leadership and management skills, with experience managing a team of development professionals.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to listen well, and positively represent the organization and its mission.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, board members, and volunteers.
- Experience with development software and donor databases.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines while remaining detail-oriented.
- Ability and willingness to travel throughout Minnesota and nationally.
- Experience with capital campaigns is strongly preferred.
- Passion for preserving the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its ecosystem.
Compensation and Benefits:
- $100,000 – $120,000 annual salary
- Paid vacation and sick leave, health and dental insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan
- In addition to paid vacation and sick leave, Friends provides a $600 stipend and five additional paid vacation days to each employee to take time off and recharge in the Boundary Waters or Quetico.
- Flexible working hours and hybrid in-person/remote working options
- We encourage life-long learning and ongoing professional development
To Apply:
Submit a cover letter, resume and three references to:
Bree Sikorski
bree@friends-bwca.org
In the subject line of any electronic communication, please put “Development Director.”
Applications will be accepted until November 18, 2024.
At Friends we have a clear vision to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay, and do their best work. Friends is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.