Chief Development Officer

JOB SUMMARY

Serves as chief development and fundraising strategist for the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy (EAC), the non-profit support organization to the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA); this individual is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive and sustainable fundraising program by cultivating and stewarding relationships within the funding community; building a positive rapport with individual donors and representatives from the corporate, foundation/philanthropic, and government agency sectors; and ensuring the implementation of best practices and development functions that build enduring relationships with stakeholders while ensuring all efforts adhere to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and impact.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Visionary and results-driven leader who develops and uphold processes that advance the EAC/EAA mission through relationships, rapport and stewardship within the funding community; identifies new prospects; cultivating foundations, corporate, and individual donors; solicits and stewards gift and partnership opportunities; partners with EAA and EAC leaders to develop an overall strategy and compelling narrative to support EAA/EAC priority goals; develops new and creative ways to inform and engage with donors and prospects and models a proactive approach for prospecting and building relationships with the funding community; develops and maintains a process for tracking prospecting efforts as well as progress in the solicitation process; drives the development of messaging for prospects and donors, which articulates the funding priorities of the EAA/EAC; facilitates and implements a strategic giving plan to deepen relationships within corporate philanthropic sector; initiates contacts and supports development efforts, including creation of sponsorship packages, special events, and presentations; prepares budget and monitors expenditures; works under long-range administrative direction; establishes overall direction and strategic initiatives for the given major function; works collaboratively with others; performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, nonprofit management, environmental science, or a closely related field plus minimum of five years of progressive responsibility in the field of donor development and fundraising sector, with demonstrated success in meeting and exceeding goals; demonstrated experience working in the nonprofit sector, attention to detail, time management skills, and ability to prioritize and problem-solve; experience building relationships and maintaining a positive rapport with institutional representatives, organizational partners, donors, and volunteers; experience applying for, writing, and administering federal grants is a plus; strong self-motivation and ability to work as a team member; valid driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Job performance requires: listening, seeing, sitting, talking; occasional reaching, grasping, lifting, handling, standing, stooping, walking, pulling or pushing, balancing and carrying of items with weights not exceeding 25 pounds; long workdays, irregular work hours frequently totaling more than 50 hours per week with high levels of stress due to short deadlines, special interest groups and executive requirements; job is performed primarily in an office environment with infrequent trips to other offices and limited exposure to weather conditions.