Director of Development & Communications

Chocorua Lake Conservancy seeks an experienced and strategic fundraising professional passionate about land conservation to lead the organization’s fundraising program and support its mission of conserving the Chocorua Lake Basin for future generations, protecting water quality, providing equitable lake access, and maintaining hiking and walking trails.

This new senior leadership role oversees a comprehensive development program to meet annual fundraising goals. The Director will lead major gifts, annual giving, and foundation partnerships while strengthening the systems and relationships that sustain long-term conservation work. The successful candidate will be a relationship-driven fundraiser with a demonstrated ability to secure gifts, cultivate meaningful donor partnerships, and guide sophisticated fundraising strategies. 

While the role is primarily focused on fundraising, the Director of Development & Communications will provide strategic oversight of communications and marketing, ensuring that messaging and storytelling effectively support philanthropic engagement. 

The Director of Development & Communications will serve as a key member of the leadership team and work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and staff to build a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization.

This position will ensure Chocorua Lake Conservancy has the resources needed to achieve its strategic goals—driven by strong relationships, meaningful partnerships, and sustained philanthropic support. This position will play a central role in shaping the organization’s growth, with corresponding opportunities for growth in the role and compensation.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy

• Lead and execute a comprehensive development strategy that supports annual fundraising goals.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to strengthen donor relationships and fundraising engagement.
• Identify new philanthropic opportunities and expand the organization’s funding base.
• Oversee foundation and grant strategy, including prospect research, proposal development, and reporting.
  

Donor Engagement and Programs

• Oversee the organization’s annual giving and membership programs.
• Lead donor cultivation events and stewardship strategies.
• Expand planned giving and partnerships with local businesses.
  

Communications Strategy

• Provide strategic oversight of communications and marketing to ensure alignment with fundraising priorities.
• Guide messaging and storytelling that inspire philanthropic investment in land conservation, water quality, trail maintenance, and sustainable public lake access.
  

Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the organization’s leadership team.
• Partner with program staff to translate conservation priorities into compelling funding opportunities.
• Support board members in their fundraising roles and strengthen the organization’s culture of philanthropy.
• Conduct fundraising practices to the highest ethical standards to gain and maintain the trust of CLC donors.

Key Qualifications, Skills, and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5 to 7+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, including annual fund management and major gifts.
• Experience managing or contributing to large annual fundraising programs.
• Expertise in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship best practices.
• Demonstrated success in closing major gifts.
• Experience in planned giving and/or capital campaigns is welcomed but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Familiarity with Google Apps and Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with CRM donor management systems.  
• Passion for land conservation and community-based nonprofit work.

Salary

• $65,000 to $85,000 commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• Health insurance reimbursement
• Employer retirement match
• Dental and vision insurance
• Paid family and medical leave
• Parental leave
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off and outdoor days
• Paid holidays
• Paid sabbatical leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Mileage reimbursement
• Relocation stipend and/or assistance available

About Us

Chocorua Lake Conservancy (CLC) is a nonprofit land trust founded in 1968 to protect the natural beauty and splendor of the Chocorua Lake Basin, protect the lake’s water quality, and offer free, convenient, and attractive public access to Chocorua Lake. CLC owns and manages 800 acres of conservation land across 17 properties. We protect an additional 2,500 acres through perpetual covenants, conservation easements, and deed restrictions on 94 properties. 

Our mission is to preserve the ecology and pristine waters of the Chocorua Lake Basin, maintain trails on Mount Chocorua and conservation lands, and provide welcoming access to Chocorua Lake for residents, visitors, and future generations. We envision a Chocorua Lake Basin whose resilient forests, clear waters, and thriving habitats are a welcoming haven for people, plants, and animals for generations to come.

Chocorua Lake is one of the few lakes in New Hampshire where anyone, not just town residents and lakefront owners, can park and swim at no cost. An estimated 150,000 people visit CLC's three public lake access areas annually. 

The Appalachian Mountain Club reports that the view of Mount Chocorua from the southern end of Chocorua Lake is among the most photographed in the world. In 2013, the Chocorua Lake Basin was featured on New Hampshire’s second “America the Beautiful” quarter. 

Learn more at www.chocorualake.org

Philanthropy at Chocorua Lake Conservancy

Philanthropy at CLC is collaborative and mission-aligned—bringing together board members, staff, and donors to build lasting relationships and ensure CLC can protect and care for the region’s most treasured landscapes for generations to come. The organization engages a broad base of supporters through membership, year-end appeals, major gifts, planned giving, mini-campaigns, and foundation grants. 

In 2025, revenues from annual fund giving increased by 21%, and total revenues approached $800,000. While the greatest number of gifts come from individuals contributing less than $500—reflecting a broad base of community support—the majority of the total funds raised come from supporters at the $2,500+ level who have a deep commitment to helping to fund land conservation, water quality, sustainable lake access for all, and trail maintenance. 

Many CLC donors have a deep, lifelong connection with the Chocorua Lake Basin, including many 2nd- or 3rd-generation donors. Some CLC member households have been donating for 50+ years.

Last year, CLC's work was made possible by financial support from over 700 households and businesses across 71 New Hampshire towns and 34 states. This support included gifts from 141 first-time donors. CLC also benefited from the commitment of over 200 volunteers, who contributed more than 2,400 hours to our mission and work. Our donors and volunteers are inspired not just by the outcomes of CLC’s work, but by the opportunity to be active partners in shaping a healthier, more resilient future for the Chocorua Lake Basin.

For a full position description and to apply, please click here. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.