NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Bozeman, Montana; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.  

NRDC is seeking an Associate Director, Donor Stewardship to work with the Development team in our Washington, D.C., New York City, Santa Monica, San Francisco, or Chicago office.  

Position Summary  

Reporting to the Director, Donor Engagement and Stewardship, the Associate Director, Donor Stewardship is responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and management of a comprehensive stewardship program designed to enhance and strengthen NRDC’s relationships with its major and principal gift donors. In conjunction with colleagues in Donor Relations, Donor Systems, and Major and Principal Gifts, the Associate Director will develop customized plans to ensure top donors receive regular, high-level touch points and engagement opportunities, including compelling reports and stewardship materials, and exclusive access to NRDC leadership through virtual and in-person meetings and events. The Associate Director will regularly evaluate and track the outcomes and effectiveness of all top donor recognition and stewardship activities, and work to identify and resolve inefficiencies and implement best practices and processes. 

• In close partnership with the Director, Donor Engagement and Stewardship develop and implement a comprehensive donor stewardship program that retains and grows NRDC’s major and principal gift donor relationships. 
• Direct and supervise the activities of the donor stewardship team which includes a Senior Manager, Donor Stewardship and Donor Stewardship Coordinator. Identify opportunities for team and individual professional development, oversee team’s processes, procedures, and best practices, and create a culture of strategic stewardship and engagement.  
• Identify opportunities to streamline and elevate internal processes and procedures to effectively support a robust fundraising operation and growing roster of major and principal gift supporters. 
• Serve as lead writer/producer of specialized donor communications and reporting materials that convey giving impact, including impact reports and custom stewardship pieces.  
• Serve as lead project manager of donor stewardship activities for NRDC’s top donors and prospects to promote meaningful, regular involvement and engagement. Special activities include: 
  • Development and implementation of donor stewardship matrix and individual stewardship plans 
  • Custom stewardship products 
  • Donor Recognition 
• Oversee the endowment and financial/budget management and gift intake process. 
• Effectively collaborates with colleagues within Development and across the organization to develop impactful donor recognition and stewardship plans that measurably improve donor retention and increase engagement. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum 5-7 years of experience in Donor Relations and Stewardship with at least 3 years of staff and program management required. 
• Excellent editing and writing ability required, including demonstrated success drafting high-level, high-impact reports, correspondence, and other top donor communications. 
• Excellent project and people management skills: ability to develop plans and timelines, and to set and monitor progress against goals. 
• Excellent collaborator with strong interpersonal communication skills. 
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and build collaborate relationships with colleagues throughout the organization. 
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work independently, and produce high quality work product under tight deadlines within a fast-paced environment. 
• CRM experience (Salesforce strongly preferred). 
• Strong commitment to environmental advocacy. 
• Shows a sensitivity, awareness and willingness to learn and participate in the advancement of DEI strongly preferred. 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $114,000 to $126,000.  

Our offices are open and we are operating in a hybrid model. We offer NRDCers flexibility, and we ask them to come into the office and spend meaningful time there in collaboration with their colleagues. We call this purposeful presence. 

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws. 

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422. 

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.