Chief Development Officer

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) has the exciting opportunity to join the organization during a time of reflection and transformation. Building on the momentum of a new Strategic Direction, as well as deep and evolving commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion – reflected in our newly adopted organizational values, the CDO will lead the Development & Membership team, and its impact on our organization. The Parks Conservancy galvanizes community vision and generosity to benefit the park.

This work will require a leader who is motivated by the Park’s Conservancy’s mission and vision.  The CDO will bring significant expertise - including system and process design and implementation, alongside creative and strategic visioning to this expanding organization. They will be part of the Executive Management Team, helping to set strategy and ensure the organization delivers on our goals.

WHO ARE YOU?

You are a leader, strategist, solicitor, analyst, manager, lover of nature, storyteller, and passionate advocate for preserving and creating access to outdoor spaces. You’re a team player and a sound and thoughtful decision maker. You’re creative, innovative, collaborative, accomplished, metrics driven, and possess both emotional and social intelligence. You enjoy the solicitation process including the ask. You love working with board members, volunteers and donors to help them realize their philanthropic goals.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

The Parks Conservancy has developed an extensive portfolio of both earned and contributed revenue sources, in a model that sets it apart from many nonprofits. This combination provides opportunities for substantial collaboration within the organization. All the revenues earned support the parks through programming, activities that are implemented on behalf of park partners, or as direct financial support.

The Membership and Development Department, with up to twelve team members, currently raises $10M+ annually in operating, project and program support, plus capital gifts. The Department fulfills philanthropic goals through major gifts, membership, foundation grants, corporate giving, planned giving, events, special philanthropic programs and capital giving.  Working closely with Marketing & Communications, the CDO will collaborate on design and development of captivating materials to tell the story of the Parks Conservancy and the impact possible through public support.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Working with the CEO, Board, staff, and other volunteers, The CDO will help to evaluate the organization's vision and create strategy to impact the future of Parks Conservancy through sustainable and creative fundraising techniques and programs

• Lead a talented team of fundraisers, staff, board members and volunteers to unite in a fundraising vision for the future
• Innovate democratized fundraising policies and procedures, while maintaining current successes in individual, foundation, and corporate giving.
• Staff the Parks Conservancy’s Board Development Committee
• Stay current with evolving philanthropic trends, discover and encourage new audiences, and new methods of giving in alignment with new program initiatives of the organization 
• Drive membership to new levels of success by creating multi-channel plans
• Nurture and grow Leadership Circle and all giving circles
• Double contributions for youth and community programs by 2027
• Research and implement new technology systems and outreach methods and materials
• Establish new opt-out donation process, electronic donation box, business partnership opportunities
• Build out the department, addressing capacity gaps, to ensure adequate resources and expertise are dedicated to building a comprehensive, cohesive, and fully integrated team that effectively meets the needs of the organization
• Advance Equity through Leadership
  • Operationalize equity throughout the organization by closely partnering with team members to embed equity into all parts of Development & Membership
  • Serve as a leader to promote and support organizational DEI efforts. Promote and support collaboration, communication, commitment, and accountability to and around equity practices and goals throughout the organization.
  • Engage with diverse staff and leadership to promote trust, teamwork, partnership, and engagement across departments and levels of leadership.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of current fundraising best practices, trends, and donor activation across multiple donor demographic groups and a keen interest and commitment to build curiosity about what is coming next in the philanthropic world.

• Skill at creating and utilizing new approaches to philanthropy through social media, technology, targeted communications and marketing and adaptive tools
• Ability to think strategically and develop and guide a multi-year program of fundraising growth and development.
• Knowledge of the key elements of nonprofit development functions, including annual fund, membership acquisition and development, capital campaign, community campaign, foundation, and corporate giving, planned giving, government grants and development
• Ability to work with partner organizations effectively, understand partner goals and objectives, and craft processes and opportunities to jointly establish plans from long-term strategies to annual workplans
• Ability to build effective working relationships with a variety of people, inclusive of different backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, and viewpoints.
• Skill working directly with a Board of Trustees, Development Committee, and fundraising committees; demonstrated skill at motivating fundraising volunteers
• Ability to create a strong culture of gratitude and recognition for donors and supports at every level and from a broad array of communities and backgrounds
• Ability to supervise staff, train and develop employees, and create opportunities for professional advancement and interesting and engaging work assignments
• Knowledge of and commitment to the legal and ethical framework for fundraising
• Ability to communicate in clear, compelling, and powerful language, particularly in regard to making and presenting fundraising presentations and requests for support
• Knowledge of technology platforms and tools to automate functions and ensure accountability and transferability of financial data and other data within the organization
• Ability to partner with other executives and departments to align with the overall strategic direction and plan of the Parks Conservancy; skills in collaboration and collegial candor to establish strong lines of communication throughout the organization
• Ability to contribute to a passionate and fun-loving work environment.
• Significant expertise in the fundamentals of fundraising and membership development, and experience leading a comprehensive development program of a nonprofit.
• Ability to assess, navigate, and address structural issues and willingness and readiness to build and sustain new approaches, from the overall vision to the “nuts & bolts” of the function.
• Ability to drive strong implementation and adoption of systems and processes.
• Significant experience in an executive leadership seat, preferably in an organization experiencing significant growth or change.
• Proven history of leading, inspiring, and developing cohesive and high functioning teams with diverse identities to effectively deliver outcomes while centering an organization’s mission.
• Track record of effective collaboration with other executive leaders. Experience setting and driving strategy at the organization level.
• Ability to foster relationships that support individual and collective ability to grow, thrive, and work effectively together.
• Ability to manage up, down, and across an organization effectively, with and without formal authority.
  • Commitment to be part of a collaborative executive team that invites colleagues to share their expertise and work proactively with shared intention and values
  • Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values transparency, learning, growth, and a commitment to quality
  • Expand and share the Parks Conservancy’s cultural vision with all staff and stakeholders and deliver excellent service to all who participate in the Parks Conservancy’s mission, including external stakeholders and communities
• Track record in developing a clear and compelling development vision or strategy and creating buy-in across varied and expansive stakeholders.
• Experience designing and facilitating inclusive, impactful, and transformative community events, demonstrating openness, transparency, direct communication, engagement, and active listening.
• Ability to drive transparent, timely internal communications. Highly skilled communicator – including written and verbal, as well as individually, in large audiences, or public communications.
• Self-aware and a developed ability to manage one’s own emotions and engage with others’ emotions.
• Track record of employing emotional fortitude and awareness and skill to navigate complex and difficult relationships and interactions.

MISSION AND VALUES ALIGNMENT

• Demonstrate interest in and commitment to racial justice, social justice and climate resilience. 
• Demonstrate alignment with and center the values of Community Care, Creating Belonging, Learning and Growth and Working with Purpose. 
• Demonstrate alignment with and center progress on advancing diversity, equity and inclusion:
  • Sophisticated understanding of how race and power dynamics impact supervisory relationships, organizational culture, partnerships.  Can demonstrate a history of successfully leading across difference and deepening a racial justice approach within an organization or team.
    • Model effective equity analysis and practice and have a track record of operationalizing equity and have embedded justice and equity throughout team/department/organizational policies, structures, culture, and programs.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Relevant higher education credentials and significant work history that demonstrates senior level leadership and management practice
• Prior experience in all functional areas of Development with the ability to provide decisive guidance for organizational effectiveness and leading change management efforts
• Experience building, fostering, and working in an inclusive intercultural environment where staff of all backgrounds and abilities can thrive

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

• CFRE, CAP, or other fundraising certifications desired

SALARY RANGE AND TERMS

The Parks Conservancy offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The salary for this role is $225,000 - $250,000.

This position is located at the Parks Conservancy’s headquarters in Fort Mason, San Francisco, with hybrid telework available. It is expected that the Chief Development Officer is in the office or other worksites 2-3 days/week and possibly more often as required. Occasional travel to work locations, including Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge, Lands End, Crissy Field, Presidio, and other outdoor worksites is expected.

This is a full time, benefited position. The Parks Conservancy offers a strong benefits package for employees, including medical, dental, and vision plans, up to 3 weeks of vacation time plus holidays, personal days, and sick days, Employee Assistance Program, employer-matched Commuter Program, and more.

To apply for this position, or for additional information on the opportunity, please send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to Victoria Silverman at apply@cooksilverman.com.