Description
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Montana Chapter of The Nature Conservancyseeksan inspiring, strategic, relationship-driven Director of Development to lead our fundraising program and secure transformational support for conservation across Montana’s iconic working and natural landscapes.
This highly external facing role focuses on building deep, long term donor relationships that advance TNC’s mission. They partner closely with the State Director, trustees, and cross functional staff to advance a unified fundraising strategy, ensure alignment with conservation priorities, and cultivate a strong, mission aligned team culture.
Success requires exceptional relationship building skills, strong interpersonal understanding, and the ability to inspire philanthropy through authentic engagement with Montana’s diverse people, communities, and landscapes. The Montana Director of Development reports to the State Director and serves as an active member of the Montana Chapter’s leadership team.
We’re Looking for You:
Specific responsibilities for this position include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following areas and duties:
Organizational Leadership & Accountability
Set the Montana chapter’s longterm fundraising vision and annual revenue goals that align with Montana conservation objectives and TNC’s North American and global priorities.
Accountable for the team portfolio currently delivering $4M+ in annual funding, with clear expectations to cultivate growth and maintain long term financial sustainability.
Lead a multiyear, donorcentered strategy that builds continuity, trust, and highimpact, placebased engagement.
Establish clear expectations, operating rhythms, and transparent communication across development, conservation, and TNC’s state, local, and global leadership teams.
Act as a public representative of The Nature Conservancy in Montana with colleagues, partners, donors, community leaders, and the broader public.
Ensure adherence to TNC policies, financial controls, ethical standards, and reporting requirements.
Donor & Prospect Management
Manage a personal portfolio of approximately 10-15 major donors, collectively contributing more than $1M annually; drive personalized cultivation, well-crafted solicitations, and disciplined stewardship
Identify and cultivate new prospects through trustee, partner, and Montana community networks; leverage TNC tools and best practices.
Bring strong familiarity with nationally and globally connected philanthropic networks to expand opportunities and inform prospect strategy.
Development Team Leadership & Culture
Guide and support a seasoned development team to excel through clear priorities, constructive, data-driven feedback mechanisms, and alignment around shared mission outcomes.
Foster an inclusive, trustbased culture anchored in learning, accountability, and shared success.
Drive budgeting, revenue targets, performance analysis, and decisive financial adjustments for Montana’s development program.
Partnership with State Director & Board of Trustees
Maintain a close, candid, collaborative partnership with the State Director, sharing ownership of donor strategy, portfolio moves, and fundraising results.
Engage trustees as strategic partners, providing highlevel updates and opportunities for meaningful contribution.
General
Bozeman is the preferred location for this position, with potential for flexibility in Missoula or Helena.
Travel frequently, as much as 50% of their time, frequently on short notice and outside normal business hours including weekends.
Maintains confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally charged information.
Develops and administers budget and fundraising objectives, evaluates results and develops corrective strategies as needed
Ensures that programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for ethical compliance.
Directs or participates in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
Understands and conforms to all Conservancy gift-related policies and procedures and ensures ethical compliance, as defined by the Association for Fundraising Professionals.
Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
Salary Information:
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $150,000 - $160,000 annually. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
What We Bring:
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
Requirements
What You’ll Bring:
Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience, including experience working at a senior level.
Experience asking for and closing major gifts.
Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents such as major donors, foundations and corporations.
Experience in planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.
Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team.
Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment.
Desired Qualifications:
Passion for raising money and for identifying new prospective donors (individuals and foundations).
Experience in negotiating complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.
Experience in effective training, coaching, and mentoring skills.
Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Experience in managing a geographically dispersed team.
Experience with current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation.
Experience with advanced gift planning concepts.
Experience in nonprofit management best practices.
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
