Senior Director, Institutional Giving

Overview

Put your passion and skills to work for the planet. Climate change is the most urgent issue of our time, and we need people like you to help us build a vital Earth — for everyone.

We’re Environmental Defense Fund, a fast-paced nonprofit with a growing staff of more than 1,000 people in nearly 30 countries. We deliver game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people’s ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having. We work wherever we can have the most impact, from local communities to top companies to governments worldwide, and even in space.

Our culture, values and commitment to diversity make EDF an exciting and meaningful place to work. Every job here makes a difference. Won’t you join us?

Responsibilities

Overall Function

The Senior Director, Institutional Giving (IG) is an important leadership position on the IG team. The Senior Director is responsible for the strategic cultivation and stewardship of a select portfolio of principal-level prospective foundations and other institutions that could provide significant support to carry out EDF’s mission. The Senior Director takes a leading role in managing and mentoring other IG staff, providing oversight, mentorship, and strategic and operational guidance to ensure team members’ growth, effective performance, and success.

Department and Location

This position is part of the IG team within EDF’s Development Department of more than 130 members. This position reports to the Vice President of Institutional Giving and can be located in EDF’s New York, San Francisco, or Washington, DC office (with option for geographic flexibility for the right candidate).

Key Responsibilities

• Skillfully manage a portfolio of complex principal-level prospective funders in coordination with executive and program staff, including:
  • Developing and implementing strategic cultivation plans for partners.
  • Preparing high quality proposals, reports and other communications to donors (including effective collaboration with Development Communications writers).
  • Preparing strategic briefings and other materials for donor meetings.
  • Participating in donor meetings.
  • Overseeing accurate donor and revenue information in the Development database (SalesForce).
• Support in development of new funding opportunities from prospective institutional partners.
• Support and mentor other IG team members, ranging from Coordinators to Directors. This entails responsibilities such as:
  • Oversight on donor cultivation strategy, review of donor materials and assisting with problem solving, as needed.
  • Providing guidance to ensure performance expectations are achieved and operations run smoothly.
  • Coordinating information flow within the IG team and to others in the Development department, as needed.
  • Assisting direct reports with planning and executing on weekly and monthly workplans.
  • Collaborating with staff to set individual goals and helping the team accomplish team fundraising goals.
• Maintain strong knowledge of EDF’s program work to effectively represent, through both written and oral communications, a wide array of regional, national, and global environmental programs to inspire donors to support EDF.
• Assist the VP and other team members with internal donor and strategy related communications, and liaise with colleagues in the Development department, program, finance, and at times, members of the Executive Team to fulfill requests or share information.
• Draw on extensive experience, sound judgment, and input from program staff and Development leadership to cultivate and steward donors and make a wide range of independent and collaborative decisions.
• Work effectively with staff across all departments throughout all EDF offices.
• Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
• A minimum of 12 years’ demonstrated success and increasing responsibility in non-profit fundraising, including a strong track record of securing and managing large gifts from foundations.
• Experience effectively managing and mentoring staff.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and planning skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to work effectively across the organization and among geographically dispersed colleagues.
• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Proven ability to work both as a team player and independently, as a self-starter.
• Outstanding interpersonal and listening skills.
• Strong computer literacy, including Word, Excel, and donor management databases.
• The ability to travel as needed.

Please include a Cover Letter with your submission.

Pay Ranges

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

The pay range for this role is shown below.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.

Minimum Salary

USD $160,000.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $175,000.00/Yr.

EEO Information

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.