In support of Audubon New York’s annual ($2.5 million), capital, and endowment fundraising efforts, the Assistant Director of Development/Major Gifts Associate will partner with the Director and other Associates in strengthening Audubon New York’s ongoing development programs. In particular, the successful candidate will manage and build a successful individual giving program, including a productive major gifts portfolio that can be utilized to support both current programs and new projects. The Associate will report to the Director of Development and be part of an expanding development team that includes a Development Associate, Events Associate, and outside consultants who help in the areas of grant writing and event planning. Based at Audubon’s national headquarters, the position will also collaborate and interact extensively with members of the national development team.

During the recent 2006-2007 fiscal year, Audubon New York raised a record $2,125,000 for annual operations, as well as a major challenge grant to endow a senior educator position at one of our nature centers. As a result, the state program ended the year with its first substantial surplus in five years. Moving forward, lead by new Executive Director Al Caccese, who brings 28 years experience as a senior executive with New York State Parks, and armed with a recently completed 2006-2010 Strategic Plan, Audubon New York is poised to move its development program to the next level. To do this, we seek a committed professional who will help build a strong, well-managed and structured department that will help lay the groundwork for an eventual comprehensive nationwide campaign.

The ideal candidate will have a generalist background and therefore experience that touches on a number of essential skills, such as grant-writing, individual giving, and special events. Likewise, they will have had some exposure to major gifts work. Most importantly, however, they will have the confidence and experience to cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals, as well as corporate and foundation relationships.

Position responsibilities will include:

• Help build an organized, productive major gifts program through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate, foundation, and individual major gift prospects, with focus on priority areas such as Westchester County and the East End of Long Island; and
• With Director, help manage and improve ongoing programs, such as foundation grants, special events, the Annual Appeal, and development interaction with Board of Directors, as well as launch and build new programs, such as the Corporate Partners Program.
  

Specific duties include:

• Manage an initial portfolio of 50 or more donors (individuals, corporations, and foundations) that will grow into a more mature portfolio of 100 or more donors.
• Assistant Director of Development/Major Gifts Associate, Page Two
• Partner with other staff, including program and management, in the successful cultivation and solicitation of these donors.
• Conceive of creative strategies to approach current donors and new prospects, through program-related events, private tours, targeted newsletters, and appeals.
• Manage, communicate with, and staff Stewardship Council, reconceived with sub-council program areas, to facilitate greater interaction from its members.

In addition to the above, the Assistant Director of Development will:

• Mentor and help supervise the Development and Events Associates, as well as manage part-time paid, seasonal interns.
• Help coordinate and build the Annual Appeal program, particularly in the mid-tier category of donors from $250 to $10,000.
• Monitor dollar goals and supervise the gift recording and tracking processes to ensure effective acknowledgement and reporting.
• Create compelling, written material for the Audubon New York newsletter and various donor-oriented materials, including Web pages and a Friends of Conservation brochure.
• Represent Audubon with knowledge and understanding of programs and activities.

Internal: Director of Development as immediate supervisor. Extensive relationships with other program and administrative staff in both the National and State offices.

External: Strong relationships with the Audubon New York Board and Stewardship Council, various donors and prospects, and corporate and foundation representatives.

standard office equipment such as computer, copier, phone, etc.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 3-5 years experience in fundraising, building strong, well-managed programs.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook preferred, as well as in donor database management systems (e.g. Millennium) helpful.
• Willingness and ability to travel and work some weekends and evenings.
• Enthusiasm, self-confidence, good judgment, and warmth.

minimum physical requirements, some lifting