Director of Development
Merrimack River Watershed Council
Job Description
The Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC) seeks a full-time Director of Development to join our dynamic and growing team. This role is ideal for someone who is a highly organized self-starter and prides themselves on 1) engaging a wide range of stakeholders 2) securing revenue for mission-driven organizations, and 3) developing effective messaging and communications. If you have a strong work ethic and enduring commitment to water and climate justice in our watershed, consider joining our team.
About MRWC: The MRWC is a nonprofit environmental organization that protects and improves the Merrimack River Watershed for all people and wildlife through science, education, recreation, and advocacy. We work with diverse stakeholders, decision makers and communities to address threats including water pollution, habitat loss, aging infrastructure, and climate change. MRWC works throughout the entire 5,000 square mile watershed, which begins in Franklin, New Hampshire and flows out to the ocean at Newburyport, Massachusetts.
About the Position: The Director of Development (DoD) will serve as a key senior leadership team member and an active decision-maker at MRWC. The DoD will be a strategic and action-oriented leader who will oversee all fundraising programs and communications activities. As MRWC’s first Director of Development, the position holder will have an extraordinary opportunity to help build the capacity of a dynamic organization poised for significant growth. The DoD will create and implement a long-term strategy to solidify and diversify MRWC’s funding base, raise its profile in the communities we serve, build a constituency of committed and informed supporters, and attract a sustainable funding base to help MRWC scale its impact and realize its strategic goals.
The DoD will work with the Executive Director, Development Coordinator, and Board of Directors, to create and implement a comprehensive development strategy to include individual giving, business giving/membership, grants, and special events. The DoD will foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization and create a donor relations plan that nurtures loyalty and relationship-building through cultivation and communication of MRWC’s mission, vision and services. The DoD will report directly to the Executive Director and will supervise the Development Coordinator.
Location: This position is based out of our Lawrence, MA office. Regular travel should be expected for donor visits, events and meetings throughout both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Remote work-from-home may be possible 1 or 2 days/week.
Schedule: Full-time exempt with options for flexible scheduling. This position requires occasional early morning or evening meetings, and occasional weekend events.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Strategy
• Design and implement a comprehensive development plan with specific and measurable revenue and non-revenue goals related to cultivating individual, corporate, foundation, event and volunteer philanthropic support.
•Oversee research of funding sources and philanthropic landscape to position MRWC ahead of major funding changes or trends.
•Strategically “manage-up” to support Executive Director to cultivate and solicit major gifts and grants and steward high priority donor relationships.
•Work closely with and assist the Board of Directors to take on an active fundraising role; assist in the identification and recruitment of new Board members.
•Manage the Board Development Committee and work closely with this committee to reach fundraising goals.
•Steer the written and electronic communications, marketing and public relations efforts of the organization to ensure that key messages are conveyed strategically to a range of audiences including individuals, corporate sponsors, foundation leaders, media sponsors, and government officials.
•Support MRWC’s thought leadership efforts by promoting organizational expertise and participation in external speaking engagement opportunities.
•Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the current and future development staff, including support for professional development opportunities.
•Oversee all development, marketing and office systems and procedures including timely and accurate donation processing, tracking of all development information, and database files.
Fund Development
•Expand and diversify MRWC’s donor base/pipeline and work closely with leadership and staff to secure funding for new initiatives.
•Manage a portfolio of medium-to-high priority prospects and donors to deepen their connection to MRWC and to attract increasing levels of leadership and multi-year support.
•Represent MRWC, its Board and Executive Director to donors, prospects, development committee(s) and volunteers.
•Develop relationships and promote active engagement with businesses to effectively leverage philanthropic, volunteer and in-kind corporate support.
•Work with Development Coordinator to design and implement and effective event strategy; lead and oversee all aspects of MRWC’s fundraising and “friendraising” events.
•Manage, with Executive Director, the creation and execution of high quality funding proposals and maintain accountability standards to all funders.
•Develop, with Executive Director, fiscal fundraising goals and monitor and regularly report on the results; assure sound fiscal operation of development function including timely, accurate and comprehensive development of charitable contributions, income and expense budgets, reporting, monitoring and implementation.
Attributes:
•Ability to take initiative, construct, articulate, and implement short-term and long-term strategic development plans.
•Excellent team building skills, with demonstrated ability to lead and motivate in a creative and fast-paced environment.
•Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
•Demonstrated results-orientation with proven track record of development success.
• Effective planning, organizational, and time management skills and keen attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to a fluid and evolving program environment.
• Commitment to social justice and cultural responsiveness.
• Flexible style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels and backgrounds within and outside MRWC.
Required Qualifications:
We seek an individual who is motivated to take on new challenges, and believes in the mission of MRWC and the revenue-generating work needed to be sustainable in delivering on that mission. The ideal candidate is a collaborative self-starter with drive and enthusiasm.
Required:
• Deep commitment to and belief in the mission, vision and values of MRWC.
• Minimum of six years of professional fundraising experience and at least 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated success in a development leadership role (managing and forging relationships with multiple funding sources and producing and reporting on charitable contributions).
• Experience in creating, presenting and implementing fundraising strategic plans.
• A successful track record of fundraising and in securing $10,000+ donations.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
Salary and Benefits:
Starting salary is dependent on experience, with a starting range of $70,000-$80,000. Benefits package includes but not limited to health insurance contribution, paid time off, paid family and medical leave.
To Apply:
Submit a cover letter and resume by August 16th at 5pm detailing your interest and qualifications to careers@merrimack.org with the subject line “Director of Development.” No calls, please.
At the Merrimack River Watershed Council, we don’t just value difference — we celebrate it and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our services, and our community. MRWC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.
About MRWC: The MRWC is a nonprofit environmental organization that protects and improves the Merrimack River Watershed for all people and wildlife through science, education, recreation, and advocacy. We work with diverse stakeholders, decision makers and communities to address threats including water pollution, habitat loss, aging infrastructure, and climate change. MRWC works throughout the entire 5,000 square mile watershed, which begins in Franklin, New Hampshire and flows out to the ocean at Newburyport, Massachusetts.
About the Position: The Director of Development (DoD) will serve as a key senior leadership team member and an active decision-maker at MRWC. The DoD will be a strategic and action-oriented leader who will oversee all fundraising programs and communications activities. As MRWC’s first Director of Development, the position holder will have an extraordinary opportunity to help build the capacity of a dynamic organization poised for significant growth. The DoD will create and implement a long-term strategy to solidify and diversify MRWC’s funding base, raise its profile in the communities we serve, build a constituency of committed and informed supporters, and attract a sustainable funding base to help MRWC scale its impact and realize its strategic goals.
The DoD will work with the Executive Director, Development Coordinator, and Board of Directors, to create and implement a comprehensive development strategy to include individual giving, business giving/membership, grants, and special events. The DoD will foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization and create a donor relations plan that nurtures loyalty and relationship-building through cultivation and communication of MRWC’s mission, vision and services. The DoD will report directly to the Executive Director and will supervise the Development Coordinator.
Location: This position is based out of our Lawrence, MA office. Regular travel should be expected for donor visits, events and meetings throughout both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Remote work-from-home may be possible 1 or 2 days/week.
Schedule: Full-time exempt with options for flexible scheduling. This position requires occasional early morning or evening meetings, and occasional weekend events.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Strategy
• Design and implement a comprehensive development plan with specific and measurable revenue and non-revenue goals related to cultivating individual, corporate, foundation, event and volunteer philanthropic support.
•Oversee research of funding sources and philanthropic landscape to position MRWC ahead of major funding changes or trends.
•Strategically “manage-up” to support Executive Director to cultivate and solicit major gifts and grants and steward high priority donor relationships.
•Work closely with and assist the Board of Directors to take on an active fundraising role; assist in the identification and recruitment of new Board members.
•Manage the Board Development Committee and work closely with this committee to reach fundraising goals.
•Steer the written and electronic communications, marketing and public relations efforts of the organization to ensure that key messages are conveyed strategically to a range of audiences including individuals, corporate sponsors, foundation leaders, media sponsors, and government officials.
•Support MRWC’s thought leadership efforts by promoting organizational expertise and participation in external speaking engagement opportunities.
•Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the current and future development staff, including support for professional development opportunities.
•Oversee all development, marketing and office systems and procedures including timely and accurate donation processing, tracking of all development information, and database files.
Fund Development
•Expand and diversify MRWC’s donor base/pipeline and work closely with leadership and staff to secure funding for new initiatives.
•Manage a portfolio of medium-to-high priority prospects and donors to deepen their connection to MRWC and to attract increasing levels of leadership and multi-year support.
•Represent MRWC, its Board and Executive Director to donors, prospects, development committee(s) and volunteers.
•Develop relationships and promote active engagement with businesses to effectively leverage philanthropic, volunteer and in-kind corporate support.
•Work with Development Coordinator to design and implement and effective event strategy; lead and oversee all aspects of MRWC’s fundraising and “friendraising” events.
•Manage, with Executive Director, the creation and execution of high quality funding proposals and maintain accountability standards to all funders.
•Develop, with Executive Director, fiscal fundraising goals and monitor and regularly report on the results; assure sound fiscal operation of development function including timely, accurate and comprehensive development of charitable contributions, income and expense budgets, reporting, monitoring and implementation.
Attributes:
•Ability to take initiative, construct, articulate, and implement short-term and long-term strategic development plans.
•Excellent team building skills, with demonstrated ability to lead and motivate in a creative and fast-paced environment.
•Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
•Demonstrated results-orientation with proven track record of development success.
• Effective planning, organizational, and time management skills and keen attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to a fluid and evolving program environment.
• Commitment to social justice and cultural responsiveness.
• Flexible style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels and backgrounds within and outside MRWC.
Required Qualifications:
We seek an individual who is motivated to take on new challenges, and believes in the mission of MRWC and the revenue-generating work needed to be sustainable in delivering on that mission. The ideal candidate is a collaborative self-starter with drive and enthusiasm.
Required:
• Deep commitment to and belief in the mission, vision and values of MRWC.
• Minimum of six years of professional fundraising experience and at least 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated success in a development leadership role (managing and forging relationships with multiple funding sources and producing and reporting on charitable contributions).
• Experience in creating, presenting and implementing fundraising strategic plans.
• A successful track record of fundraising and in securing $10,000+ donations.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
Salary and Benefits:
Starting salary is dependent on experience, with a starting range of $70,000-$80,000. Benefits package includes but not limited to health insurance contribution, paid time off, paid family and medical leave.
To Apply:
Submit a cover letter and resume by August 16th at 5pm detailing your interest and qualifications to careers@merrimack.org with the subject line “Director of Development.” No calls, please.
At the Merrimack River Watershed Council, we don’t just value difference — we celebrate it and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our services, and our community. MRWC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.