ABOUT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY (TNC)

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.orq or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut – the third oldest field office – is an innovator and incubator for many local-to-global conservation strategies, including conservation easements, climate resilience planning tools, marine planning and freeing river flows. The Major Gifts Manager is part of a team of Philanthropy professionals who raise the private resources to fund vision, innovation and outcomes, in an environment where “everyone is a fundraiser.” The Major Gifts Manager provides overall management for chapter philanthropy operations and administration functions and for all cross-chapter and global priorities functions as well as the funding and financial functions that are cross-cutting over conservation programs, philanthropy and finance. They are a project manager, responsible primarily for managing, documenting and reporting on relationships and processes that coordinate leadership and philanthropy staff efforts, information and processes to facilitate fundraising success and financial sustainability in support of conservation priorities. The role is strongly service-oriented and adaptive, requiring a high degree of organizational and management skill, innovation and initiative, professionalism and confidentiality.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Major Gifts Manager manages the Philanthropy Team’s work flow, processes and relationships relevant within and outside the field office.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Major Gifts Manager will work toward meeting the strategic priorities of philanthropy and finance programs by providing the oversight, resources, protocols and reporting to execute day-to-day and long-term philanthropy operations and administration functions.  They will plan and manage operating and aspirational fundraising goals in cooperation with the Directors of Philanthropy and Finance and Administration and be responsible for managing the work plans of fundraisers and the systems and procedures to help them. They will manage moves management, analyze and report on data and metrics, and coordinate paper and electronic mailings. A small portfolio, especially of VIP supporters, will be managed by the Major Gifts Manager for cultivation, stewardship and networking. The position is cross-cutting over the chapter and across the global organization, requiring strong ability to forge and manage productive relationships and to develop approaches and systems that bridge differing perspectives. Strong client management and an emphasis on continuous improvement of systems, processes and workflow are essential to the position. Financial responsibilities extend to philanthropy program budget creation and management, auditing and creating reports for staff, trustees and donors, approving expenses and invoices, managing private awards, coordinating on public awards, as assisting with other duties as requested. The Manager provides guidance in satisfying requirements based on extensive knowledge of policies and procedures and must have advanced knowledge of systems and resources for effectiveness. The Major Gifts Manager reports to the Director of Philanthropy and works in close cooperation with any or all of the following: Philanthropy Team, State Director, Trustees, Conservancy staff, donors, volunteers, vendors, public agencies, financial institutions, and legal and accounting professionals. They will keep up-to-date on market trends and best practices in order to improve services. They will organize and coordinate diverse activities, including events, projecting outcomes, monitoring progress, and implementing solutions in consultation with leadership. This position may supervise other administrative or temporary staff, volunteers, consultants and vendors.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Act independently within broad program goals to prioritize tasks in the absence of specific instructions and exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
• Coordinate projects with several variables, set realistic deadlines, and manage a timeline.
• Decisions may bind the organization financially or legally.
• Ensure programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.
• Financial responsibility includes working within a budget and negotiating and contracting with vendors.
• Implement and manage new initiatives that will ensure department and organization-wide goals and strategies are achieved.
• Manage functional activity towards program’s strategic goals.
• May participate in complex negotiations.
• May supervise administrative, professional and/or volunteer staff, responsibility includes training and professional Philanthropy.
• Travel occasionally, may work long and may have flexible hours as needed.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
• Work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 3 years’ related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience managing budgets, goals, schedules and projects.
• Experience creating and generating reports, analyzing and interpreting data and anticipating and documenting trends.
• Experience with constituent management systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Skype VoIP intranets and websites.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams and across departments, states and countries.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability to implement complex processes and to use initiative, innovation and technology to achieve desired results.
• Ability to manage multiple and diverse relationships, including cross-cultural.
• Demonstrated experience handling confidential information and using diplomacy, discretion and tact.
• Experience developing and managing departmental budgets, schedules with deadlines, reporting, communications and project management.  
• Experience interpreting and applying guidelines to achieve desired results.
• Experience supervising staff, interns and/or volunteers.
• Knowledge of current trends in the specific field.
• Strong organization and negotiating skills, accuracy, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Successful experience implementing strategic program goals.
• Experience with campaigns a plus.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.