Sudbury Valley Trustees, a nonprofit regional land trust located west of Boston, MA, seeks a Director of Development to grow SVT’s capacity so the organization can accelerate its efforts to protect and care for the region’s vulnerable natural areas and farmlands.
About SVT
SVT actively conserves natural areas and farmland in 36 communities between Boston and Worcester. We protect some of the region’s most important forests, wetlands, and grasslands—natural areas that support wildlife habitat, working farms, and recreational trails.
- SVT cares for more than 5,700 acres on 191 properties, maintains more than 70 miles of hiking trails, and provides an array of public educational programs and recreational outings.
- SVT is a dynamic, forward thinking land trust and we come together to achieve our mission through three strategies:
- We protect land by assisting communities and other organizations with local efforts along with working with landowners to permanently conserve their parcels
- We take care of natural areas. We actively work to steward the land, ensuring that the values that originally inspired protection are cared for in perpetuity.
- We provide people with opportunities to connect with nature and to act for conservation. SVT recognizes that we must engage more and a greater diversity of people to care and act for natural areas, and we work to provide a variety of opportunities so that all people can enjoy nature’s many benefits.
- SVT is accredited by the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
- SVT achieves this success thanks to the efforts of our tight-knit team of professional staff, an all-volunteer Board of Directors, 200 volunteers, the support of 3,000 members, and numerous partners.
Our headquarters are located in a former farmhouse at the 52-acre Wolbach Farm in Sudbury, MA, where we enjoy views of scenic meadows and woodlands. Our dedicated staff enjoys a supportive, cooperative work environment, and we benefit from an ardent group of members who form a close-knit and collegial community.
SVT has set a goal of protecting an additional 12,000 acres of land and facilitating improved stewardship of the region’s natural areas by the year 2050. The Director of Development will lead SVT’s work to secure funds that support the accelerated pace of effort required to attain this goal.
Position Overview
The Director of Development is responsible for refining and leading the strategic direction of SVT’s Development program which includes membership, communications, marketing, outreach, and all other fundraising.
The Director of Development reports to the Executive Director and directly supervises the Assistant Director of Development, the Communications Manager, and the Engagement and Events Manager. These four staff members form SVT’s Development Team.
The Director of Development leads and coordinates the work of the Development Team to:
- Advance SVT’s strategic goal to engage and mobilize many more people to care and act for conservation.
- Raise ~$1.25 million operating revenue annually, with the expectation that this revenue will increase by 5-10% annually
- Grow and nurture SVT’s membership base.
The Director of Development is also part of SVT’s leadership team that develops strategies for securing the additional funds needed for individual land protection and stewardship projects.
Responsibilities
Development Program Planning & Administration:
- Develop data-driven, multi-year strategic and annual work plans for all aspects of SVT’s fundraising, marketing, and outreach activities
- Directly supervise three staff members and coordinate the work of all other staff, board members, and volunteers who participate in SVT’s fundraising and outreach work.
- Affirm, edit, or create business practices for all elements of SVT’s Development operations; ensure SVT’s development work complies with the Standards & Practices of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission so SVT retains its accreditation status.
- Prepare and administer annual Development Program Budget (Revenue and Expenses)
- Prepare regular reports on progress, budgets, receipts, and expenditures related to fundraising and the management of the development activities.
- Provide support and leadership to a volunteer Development Committee and other volunteer work groups as needed.
Major Giving:
- Lead SVT’s major gift program ($1,000+).
- Oversee an existing portfolio of ~150 major donors.
- Identify, track and solicit new major donor prospects through referrals, research, and outreach. Make direct, face-to-face solicitations.
- Create and implement a moves management strategy.
- Collaborate with SVT’s Engagement and Events Manager on a series of donor cultivation and donor appreciation events.
- Oversee SVT’s planned giving program, including solicitation of long-time donors for planned and estate gits.
- Facilitate monthly major gifts meetings with Executive Director and members of the Development Team.
Project Fundraising:
- Provide support to, and collaborate with, SVT’s Director of Conservation who is charged with managing fundraising campaigns for SVT’s land and stewardship projects.
Programs, Events, & Outreach:
- Build relationships with partners and other community stakeholders to advance the mission and fundraising goals of the organization. Represent SVT in the community, including speaking publicly for the organization when needed.
- Supervise SVT’s Assistant Director of Development to:
- Manage SVT’s membership program, including renewals, new member acquisition, and member relations.
- Develop and deliver SVT’s calendar of programs.
- Manage the organization’s database and gift process.
- Supervise SVT’s Communications Manager to:
- Implement the communications strategy that employs print and electronic platforms.
- Manage the organization’s website
- Supervise SVT’s Engagement and Events Manager to:
- Strengthen and market the brand to a broad diversity of the region’s residents. Design and carry out other outreach tactics, such as community tabling.
- Manage the planning and delivery of SVT’s Annual Fundraising Gala and other fundraising events.
- Design and implement the social media strategy.
Grant Seeking:
- Coordinate SVT’s grant-seeking work, by taking the lead in seeking grants that support SVT’s outreach and programming activities.
Qualifications
- At least 7 years of successful, results-oriented experience in a suite of nonprofit fundraising activities that includes at least 3 years of membership development and 3 years of staff management.
- Demonstrated experience and success in directly soliciting gifts from individuals.
- Experience in a midsize ($1m - $3m operating budget) nonprofit organization.
- Demonstrated experience in effective development program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- A team player and leader who inspires collaboration and provides clear, timely direction.
- Excellent interpersonal and donor-relations skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; experience with marketing a plus.
- Proficiency with CRM/Donation Management Databases, including strong analytics (Salesforce preferred).
- Proficiency with social media communications; experience with social media fundraising a plus.
- Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite.
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to SVT’s mission.
- Willingness to adjust work hours according to the needs of the organization and to occasionally work in a variety of terrains and weather.
- Participate in a small-office culture where everyone chips in to a great variety of tasks.
Compensation
This is a full-time, exempt 37.5 hour/week position based at SVT’s headquarters, located at Wolbach Farm in Sudbury, MA. The base annual salary range is $90,000 - $110,000 and actual salary will reflect the level of experience and qualifications relative to the position requirements.
Benefits include:
- Health and Dental insurance
- Flex Savings and an HRA plan
- 403(b) plan with a match after 6 months of service and full vesting from the date of hire
- Generous paid time off benefits including an 8-week sabbatical after 7 years of service
- Professional development is encouraged and paid by SVT
To Apply
- Please email resume, cover letter, and three references to [email protected].
- Emailed submissions should include the subject line: “DD_[last name].”
No phone calls, please. The job will remain open until filled.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Sudbury Valley Trustees aims to create a thriving, inclusive workplace that values each member of our team and reflects and effectively serves the diverse communities of Boston’s metrowest region. SVT is committed to fairness and equity throughout our internal operations. Inclusion and diversity are priorities as we strengthen and continue to diversify our team and expand the constituency in all aspects of our work.
Posted August 17, 2023