Senior Director - Development

ABOUT US

Riverkeeper is New York’s premier water quality advocate. Our mission is to protect and restore the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguards drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science and law. With an annual operating budget of $5 million, Riverkeeper is a mid-sized not-for-profit operating in the Hudson Valley. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, mission-oriented organization. For more information, visit www.riverkeeper.org.

JOB TITLE: Senior Director - Development

DEPARTMENT: Development

REPORTS TO: President

LOCATION: Ossining, NY (hybrid)

TO APPLY: Submit a cover letter and resume by applying directly online using this link: https://riverkeeper.bamboohr.com/careers/36?source=aWQ9MjU%3D

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director for Development oversees the fundraising program from major gifts, membership, private foundations, special events, planned giving, corporate, and government agencies. This role also has oversight for volunteer and public outreach programs and development operations. The annual target expectations for Development is to raise approximately $6M in revenue, from a base of 4,500 members and donors and develop strategies to grow revenue streams in all areas. This position maintains a specific portfolio of approximately 100 major donors, a prospect pool of 200 high net worth individuals, as well as maintains relationships with all of Riverkeeper’s volunteer leaders.

The Senior Director for Development is a highly visible role, assisting the President in managing all fundraising aspects of Board relations and identifying new Board members and volunteer leaders. This position manages a team encompassing the management of grants, membership, events and corporate sponsorships, volunteer outreach and database administration. This role works closely with program staff to understand and articulate Riverkeeper programs and guide all staff in their interactions with potential donors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

(This is not an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.)

Fundraising Strategies:

• Create strategic fundraising plans to drive year-on-year growth in major giving, foundation, membership, event, corporate, and government fundraising; Participate in development of annual budget working with President and CFO;
• Lead team of six staff members responsible for grant writing, events, corporate gifts and sponsorship, membership and database management;
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors for annual giving and special campaign needs, independently and in tandem with board members, the President and fellow staff;
• Supervise Riverkeeper’s fundraising events and related marketing campaigns, including creating and modeling best practice for the organization to maximize revenue and develop long-term relationships that benefit the organization;
• Create and leverage new corporate sponsorship opportunities for Riverkeeper activities;
• Supervise Riverkeeper’s membership program, including annual planning, programs for acquisition, retention, and increased giving, membership mailings and special appeals, targeted mailings, workplace giving, cultivation events, etc. Build creative strategies to engage our volunteers and online constituents as donors;
• Supervise foundation and government giving by present and potential donors;
• Oversee volunteer and public outreach programs, especially the annual Riverkeeper Sweep; and
• As needed, design and implement fundraising campaigns for long term growth (endowment, planned giving and/or capital campaigns).

Operational Responsibilities:

• Provide development-related assistance to the President, the Board of Directors and other volunteer leaders, and the Riverkeeper management team;
• Work closely with the CFO and Finance team to ensure all gifts are tracked and reported appropriately;
• Participate in organization-wide initiatives as a member of the Executive Team;
• Provide strategic leadership as needed to ensure coordinated messaging and appropriate marketing campaigns and branding strategies across all platforms;
• Supervise all aspects of gift processing and acknowledgment, database management, and giving policies; and

Ensure the Development Team’s optimization of a suite of operational systems including: Salesforce, Soapbox Engage, DB Sync, Apsona and Stripe to seamlessly manage donations from individuals and events.

EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

Research shows that women and people from under-represented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

• An energetic, inspiring and creative fundraiser with a minimum of 10 years of fundraising experience, and a proven record of success in securing contributions from major donors, foundations, members, corporations, and government sources;
• Adept at working collaboratively with boards of directors, staff leaders, development teams, vendors, and consultants
• Experienced in overseeing the management of special events, including annual galas;
• Proven management and leadership capabilities, including the ability to inspire and communicate effectively with a broad range of colleagues and supporters;
• Excellent organizational skills, including research, planning, reporting and program coordination, computer literacy and experience with Raiser’s Edge/Salesforce database a plus;
• Access to personal portfolio of potential donors and network is highly desirable;
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills; and
• Passion for environmental issues; familiarity with Riverkeeper’s work is desirable, as well.

HOURS/SHIFTS

This exempt position is full time (40 hours/week), Monday - Friday. It requires flexibility to work some evenings and weekends.

SALARY

Full-time base salary range: $125,000-$150,000 annually.

BENEFITS

Riverkeeper offers healthcare, dental and vision, life and disability coverage, retirement savings plan match, annual professional development stipend, Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, personal days, floating holidays, most federal holidays, summer Fridays), and other benefits; office is closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays.

OTHER

All employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

The position will remain open until filled.