Director of Development

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, a leading environmental education provider for the Philadelphia region, seeks a Director of Development to guide its fundraising efforts.  Founded in 1965, the center’s 365-acre preserve serves thousands of people each year.

Candidates must be strategic thinkers with at least seven years of fundraising experience and demonstrated results in annual fund and major gift solicitation, membership and planned giving, with a passion for education and the environment.

This is a full-time salaried position with benefits including vacation, health, dental, vision and retirement.  The salary is commensurate with experience.  Position reports to the Executive Director, serves on the leadership team, and starts immediately.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Oversee, direct, and organize the work of the Development department. Manage two direct reports.

Core responsibilities:

Senior leadership: (20 percent of time)

As a key member of the Schuylkill Center’s senior staff, work with the Executive Director and other department directors to:

• Advance the department’s goals and objectives across the organization. Advise on major decisions about organizational strategy and operations, especially concerning development
• Lead personnel decisions within the Development department, including hiring and evaluating staff
• Work with the Executive Director and the Finance Director to manage the contributed revenue budget, including forecasting, monitoring and reporting.
• Serve as staff liaison to Board of Trustees, attend all Board and Advisory Committee meetings
• Participate in strategic planning and how development plays a central role in organizational growth and sustainability
• Attend senior staff meetings
• Serve as leader to Center staff members on fundraising and leading fundraising conversations throughout the organization
• Attend important Center events throughout the year

Department management: (30 percent of time)

Work with Development team to:

• Oversee, direct, and organize the work of Development Manager and Data Coordinator and any Development consultants
• Orient, train, and evaluate Development staff
• Manage day-to-day development operations and track the progress of all fundraising activities including grant writing, event planning, and donor relations
• Create and implement annual and long-term development plans, including membership, annual appeals, major gifts, corporate sponsorship, capital fundraising, planned giving and grants
• Support Development staff by advising on task load and time management, providing positive and constructive feedback, and encouraging their professional development
• Work to establish and nurture a donor-centric culture of philanthropy throughout the organization
• Share progress updates on fundraising status and significant development projects both in writing and verbally with key stakeholders including our Board of Trustees, Executive Director, senior and supporting staff
• Oversee development department vendors, including wealth screening, CRM database, giving portals, event vendors, capital project contractors, etc.
• Manage federal and state fundraising relationships

Strategy: (20 percent of time)

Define the Center’s development strategy by:

• Alongside senior leadership, calculate funding needs, developing plans to meet them, forecasting the likelihood of their success, and preparing for scenarios where we raise substantially less or more than planned
• Set goals and developing strategies to encourage new or increased contributions from major donors, grant makers, and other members of our donor base related to a new vision for the organization
• Lead efforts in organizing and implementing an upcoming capital campaign
• Develop and execute annual fundraising plans, including targets, priorities, criteria for evaluating unexpected opportunities and challenges, and fundraising budgets
• Using data-driven methods to evaluate and inform the efficacy of fundraising activities
• Use Salesforce to create reports and manage donor information
• Identify and address areas of development improvement and needs by implementing strategic plans and programs
• Create/implement policies and procedures related to fundraising programs, collection of contributions, gift acceptance, etc.
• Ensure development programs are inclusive and equitable and that the Center complies with the donor’s intention and direction
• Collaborate with the marketing team on building member/donor/stewardship communications

Front-line fundraising: (30 percent of time)

Lead all fundraising activities by:

• Establishing and maintaining relationships with donor base and external partners to manage existing and cultivate new fundraising opportunities
• Creating and executing a major donor campaign to develop larger gifts from current donors and identify new donors with varying capabilities.
• Developing cases for support for multiple donor audiences
• Evaluating grant opportunities from private foundations, government, and corporations to write and submit successful proposals
• Leading internal collaboration to create winning proposals, meet all grant requirements, and report deadlines
• Lead special fundraising projects and events

Salary range: $87,000-$92,000

Only local candidates will be considered.  There is no relocation available.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree in nonprofit management/administration or a related field and/or CFRE credentials are a plus
• At least 7 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, several in a leadership position. Proven success with individual giving (six figures or more)
• Proficiency and experience with Salesforce
• Proven track record of building strong relationships
• Superior verbal and written communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff
• Enthusiastic and energetic
• Availability for occasional weekend and evening events

To Apply:  Please send a letter of application, detailed resume with three references, and salary requirements (no phone calls, please) to John Ponzuric, Human Resources Director, at HR@schuylkillcenter.org.

Deadline:  Applications due June 30, 2026.

The Schuylkill Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:  Please send a letter of application, detailed resume with three references, and salary requirements (no phone calls, please) to John Ponzuric, Human Resources Director, at HR@schuylkillcenter.org.

 Deadline:  Applications due June 30, 2026.