Director of Donor Relations

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has a new position for a Director of Donor Relations to join its fundraising leadership team. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this person will have responsibility for strategic volunteer engagement, event strategy and execution, and centralized stewardship. This newly created director will be responsible for building out a new, centralized donor relations function for the growing SELC fundraising team.

It is an exciting time to join SELC’s development team, which is currently going through a strategic refresh and expansion to support the organization’s long-term goals.  This new Director of Donor Relations role will augment our existing donor engagement tools and develop new programs to move donors further along in their commitment to SELC to help meet the plan’s bold goals. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation.

This is a full-time, exempt position with a preference for the individual to work in our Charlottesville, VA headquarters office, but we will consider other SELC offices for any qualified applicants unable to relocate to Charlottesville. SELC currently has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work at home up to two days a week. This is a position with region-wide focus and responsibility that requires occasional, well-planned travel. All employees must reside in our region. SELC will provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Supervise the Senior Manager of Events and Engagement.
• In conjunction with the Chief Development Officer and fundraising leadership team, develop a staffing plan for engagement and stewardship with the possibility of needing to recruit and supervise additional team members.
• Building on an existing program of high-touch events, determine strategy for donor and prospect engagement through events and metrics to track the success of events.
• Lead the program development for the Next30 Committee.  Advance and execute a plan to deepen the impact of this group of forward-looking, next-generation environmental leaders and philanthropists.   
• Develop and execute a strategy to cultivate and steward SELC’s former board members in partnership with fundraising colleagues.
• Partner with the Senior Development Officer for Legacy Gifts to expand and execute a planned giving stewardship program.
• Collaborate with individual and foundation fundraising teams to create new programs and projects aimed at deepening donors’ commitment to SELC’s mission and move them further along in their relationship to the organization. Initiate plans for new and impactful engagement and stewardship tactics for all donor segments including foundations, major donors, and annual supporters.

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of fundraising or related experience, preferably in event planning, volunteer engagement, and/or stewardship.
• Creative and strategic thinker. You love thinking through strategies of how to engage donors and you’re creative in considering new approaches to make change.
• Project management skills. You bring demonstrated success in setting priorities, coordinating multiple projects, handling details, and working effectively under pressure.
• Strong communicator and writer. This position will require clear and constant communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly organized. You are self-driven and have excellent time management skills. You feel confident shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment, including managing several efforts at once.
• Collaborative. Proven ability to work with a wide range of individual styles, both in the office with colleagues, and externally with donors and volunteer leaders.
• Budget & resource management skills. Expertise in budgeting along with abilities to diligently allocate and manage resources are needed in this role.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. You have a genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. You engage in ongoing personal learning and are eager to contribute to our organizational efforts in this area.

Desired Qualifications:

• 3+ years of people leadership experience, with a consistent track record of success managing and mentoring individuals in-person and remotely and developing high-performing teams.
• Commitment to environmental, climate, and environmental justice issues. Familiarity and experience engaging donors about climate change and energy issues is a plus, or a willingness to quickly learn and develop knowledge on these issues.

About SELC:

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 policy and legal experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC.

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.

Compensation & Benefits:

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. The starting salary range for this position is $125,000-$138,000, commensurate with experience. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page.

SELC is a PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) eligible employer.

SELC will provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address.

To Apply:

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is April 12, 2024. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please state SELC office preferences in your cover letter, if not Charlottesville.

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is April 12, 2024. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please state SELC office preferences in your cover letter, if not Charlottesville.

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.