The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association is an esteemed community-based conservation organization headquartered in Ambler, PA. For 60 years we have been working to protect and restore nature in the Wissahickon Valley, preserving 1,300 acres of critical open space and building 21 miles of trails for public access. We are seeking a new member of our leadership team who will have the opportunity to impact local environmental conservation and improve the quality of life in the Wissahickon Valley.
Please note that this is our second search this year as our first search did not result in a hire.
Director of Development& Community Outreach
The Director of Development and Community Outreach is charged with raising the funds necessary to support our operations by development and implementation of successful fundraising strategies in collaboration with board and staff. S/he leads and mentors a team of three development and outreach staff members.
The Director of Development and Community Outreach is a member of the organizational leadership team and is expected to be a role model for all staff of the integrity, innovation, and joy we can bring to our everyday work. We are seeking someone who is eager to contribute to a culture that values relationships, and whose leadership style prioritizes listening to others and serving the best interests and needs of our community.
This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director. Occasional work on weekends and evenings required.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Develop a strategy for overall revenue generation from membership to corporate partners to individual major gifts and more, including:• Plan and execute the organization’s major gifts program in partnership with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors
• Manage corporate and foundation fundraising efforts, annual campaigns and special fundraising events
• Guide and support staff across the organization in their role as fundraising ambassadors
• Work with the administrative team to set the annual budget and fundraising goals based on a clear and comprehensive understanding of organizational priorities and the fundraising potential of the development department in the year ahead
• Strategic oversight of our communications and outreach efforts, membership and volunteer programs
• Provide support and information to the Board as required. Serve as liaison to appropriate Board committees as requested by the Executive Director
Expected Competencies
The ideal candidate cares deeply about the environment and conservation issues
• Knowledge of best practices in fundraising and current philanthropic trends
• Team-oriented with strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills
• Practice personal reflection and self-correction to assure continual professional growth
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical, and organization skills
Qualifications & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience• 3-5years of nonprofit development experience, with special emphasis on major gifts
• Must be able to travel around the region regularly to meet with donors, driver’s license and vehicle required
• Must pass background clearances
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, unless the requested accommodations would cause undue hardship.This position engages in out-of-office visits with donors and must be able to travel across the region for such visits. The employee must be able to traverse 1-4 hours at a time outside at parks and trails across the watershed.
It is also regularly required to sit or stand at a desk for hours at a time, stand, walk and use hands and arms to operate general office equipment (computer, telephone, file cabinets, copier, fax machine and printer).
Compensation
This is a full-time salaried position (salary range is $75k-$85k) with a full range of benefits, including vacation, health (90% of employee and 50% of covered dependents premiums are paid by WVWA), vision, and retirement (401k with up to 5% of salary matched by WVWA).
About the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association
At the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, we work to inspire and engage a diverse community of people in protecting, stewarding and enjoying the land and waterways of the Wissahickon Valley. The board and staff are a collaborative team driven by the belief that people benefit when nature thrives. Hard work is expected, so we have created an office environment that includes a few dogs, communal lunches, happy hour, staff field trips, and lots of laughs.
To Apply
Please submit your CV, cover letter outlining interest and experience, and contact information for three professional references to Gail Farmer, Executive Director, gail@wvwa.org. No phone calls please.
Applications reviewed as received.
We value a diverse work community and we strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. E.O.E
