Audubon Director of Development, California

Audubon Director of Development, California Emeryville or Los Angeles, CA Full Time About the Organization: For more than a century, Audubon has championed the protection of birds and their habitat. Audubon’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the Earth’s biological diversity. With nearly 700 staff, 23 state programs, 465 local chapters, 43 centers and sanctuaries, and close to half a million members throughout the United States, Audubon achieves its mission by engaging people in bird conservation on a hemispheric scale through science, policy, education, and on-the-ground conservation action. In the fall of 2011, Audubon adopted a new strategic plan to renew the organization’s focus on the biggest and most important opportunities for addressing critical threats to birds and their habitat. At the core of this plan is a focus on flyways: Each year, more than 10 billion birds use major flyways to travel up and down the continent and to points beyond. Underneath these flyways are migratory rest stops and the homes for non-migratory birds that are critical to birds’ survival. These places form a web that represents the richest veins of biodiversity across the Americas. They are the places that connect people to birds and ecosystems—and where birds thrive, people prosper. By mobilizing and aligning Audubon’s unparalleled network of chapters, centers, state programs, and Important Bird Area (IBA) programs to focus on the four major migratory flyways in the Americas (Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific), the organization will bring the full power of Audubon to bear on protecting common and threatened bird species and the critical habitat they need to survive. Within each flyway, Audubon will sharpen its focus on the most critical species and places, working only where there is a theory of victory for delivering measurable conservation impact at scale. As part of BirdLife International, Audubon will join people in more than 100 countries working to protect a network of IBAs around the world, leveraging the impact of actions they take at a local level. Critical to Audubon’s conservation success will be engaging a growing and more diverse audience to take conservation action. Director of Development, California Audubon California is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Director of Development to implement the development plan and lead fundraising efforts for the organization. In partnership with the Executive Director, Managing Director, and other senior staff, the Director of Development, California, will increase the annual operating and program funds from donors, foundations, corporations, and other funding partners. The Director will build an integrated case for support and a diversified portfolio of funders for core programs, including Transforming the Central Valley, Saving Our Shores, the Sea Bird Initiative, and Audubon California’s centers and sanctuaries. The ideal candidate will have experience managing a portfolio of six-figure prospects, achieving annual and campaign-related fundraising goals, and managing or leading a team; he/she will also possess a personal commitment to protecting and preserving nature and biodiversity. In addition, this candidate will excel at building successful relationships with funders and managing staff. This is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated, confident, and accomplished development professional excited to work with a historic organization during a period of accelerated growth. Primary Duties and Responsibilities: The Director of Development, California, will perform the following and other duties as assigned: • Implement, manage, and revise the multi-year strategic fundraising plan for Audubon California’s programs, centers, and sanctuaries. • Manage the development program for Audubon California, including staff management, development research, corporate and foundation relations, annual fund management, donor relations oversight, and all development related events. • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and secure funding from a growing portfolio of major donors. • Manage and staff the Executive Director, Managing Director, Board Development Committee, and Board for cultivation and solicitation of donors. • Set and achieve specific fundraising goals for Audubon California’s programs, including targets related to operations support, program expansion, and conservation strategies. • Plan and lead funder meetings and special events, engaging other staff and board members as needed. • Manage and oversee the organization’s revenue status; work closely with the finance team to assure accuracy. • In partnership with the Vice President of the Pacific Flyway and National Audubon staff, develop gift opportunities and a fundraising plan for the Pacific Flyway. • Coordinate with National Audubon development staff; develop strong and effective working relationships with the Vice President of Development and other National staff. • Manage the development committee of the Audubon California Board of Directors. • Partner with the development committee Chair and other Board members to ensure their engagement in achieving development goals. • Serve as an articulate, enthusiastic, and visible spokesperson for the organization and senior leader of the organization. Qualifications The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications: • Proven fundraising abilities with 7+ years of experience in positions with progressively increasing responsibility • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, advanced degree desirable • Track record of identifying and cultivating major donors (including six-figure gifts, experience with seven-figure gifts a plus) • Superb staff management experience, with the ability to direct and mentor development staff, as well as the ability to empower staff and allow them to be creative and resourceful to achieve their goals • Entrepreneurial spirit and success building or enlarging fundraising programs, as well as ability to work independently to set and achieve goals • Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in philanthropy/major gifts • Management style that builds alliances within the organization and emphasizes consensus building, participatory management, high ethical standards, collegiality, and effective teamwork • A commitment to Audubon’s mission of conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitat and the ability to communicate the mission, goals, and programs effectively • Astute financial management skills • Superb communication and presentation skills, excellent writing skills, and demonstrated success in proposal development • Strong planning, organization, time management, and multi-tasking skills • Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills, proven ability to collaborate successfully with colleagues in a matrixed-organization to develop gift ideas and raise funds, capacity to work easily and effectively with a wide range of people, acting diplomatically, and exhibiting sensitivity to and an understanding of the dynamics of a complex organization • The highest level of personal and professional integrity and quality standards • Specific knowledge of PC-based computers with expertise in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook preferred • Expertise in donor database management systems (Millennium) a plus • Willingness and ability to travel, some weekends and evenings required Compensation and Benefits Audubon offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. This position will be located either in Emeryville or Los Angeles, California. To Apply: To be considered for this position, interested candidates must follow the link below to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements. CEA Recruiting is assisting Audubon California with this search. Please direct all applications and inquiries to CEA Recruiting. This position will remain open until filled. http://www.ceaconsulting.com/what/position_details.aspx?client=CEA&jobId=206 Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit www.cearecruiting.com.