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; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C. 

NRDC is seeking a Development Manager to work with the Western Region Major Gifts Team. Preferred locations include Santa Monica and San Francisco.  

Position Summary  

Reporting to the Western Regional Director of Development, the Development Manger supports major gifts fundraisers in implementing effective engagement strategies for donors at the $25,000-1M level. This is an administrative role that provides key support for frontline fundraisers and serves as a primary liaison to other development teams. While this is not a management position, the Western Region Team is highly collaborative, and values input and strategic contributions from all team members. In addition to development staff, the Development Manager will work with a diverse range of operations and program staff, including advocates, scientists and litigators, who work to fulfill NRDC’s mission and strategic expansion in Western Region. This position is a dynamic learning opportunity for someone who wants to learn more about major gifts fundraising within a large, decentralized, hybrid team. The ideal candidate should be responsive to team needs and comfortable working across departments.  

The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).  

• Partner with fundraisers to execute donor-centric strategies for the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts as needed.  
• Partner with Research and fundraisers to identify and develop a pipeline of new major gift prospects.  
• Provide writing and editing support to fundraisers for proposals, reports, and tailored email communications.  
• Partner with and support NRDC’s leadership with respect to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts, using their time and talents appropriately; ensure their effectiveness as representatives of NRDC.     
• Coordinate logistics and internal prep for staff site visits, donor meetings, and cultivation events.  
• Work with the Special Events, Planned Giving, Action Fund, E2 and Membership teams to plan events in the region that maximize donor and prospect cultivation opportunities.     
• Develop and maintain expert familiarity with programmatic needs, budgets, institutional priorities, and regional work.     
• Monitor budget and spending for the Western Region Major Gifts team.  
• Schedule and facilitate western team meetings and follow up.  
• Liaise with national major gifts team.  
• Adeptly manage Salesforce and other processes such as tracking donor gift projections and moves management.    
• Collaborate with NRDC’s Action Fund to deploy effective fundraising tactics to raise non-deductible 501c4 funding.    

The Development Manager, Western Region must be a highly skilled project manager who is responsive to team needs. Other desired skills and qualifications include:     

• 4-7 years of experience working in a high-volume non-profit Development department.   
• Extremely organized project manager with outstanding attention to detail.  
• Strong ability to multitask, meet competing deadlines, and effectively work with numerous partners to achieve a high-caliber final product.  
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.  
• Ability to collect, synthesize, and process complex information quickly and with accuracy while avoiding jargon.  
• Comfort working in a hybrid environment.  
• Confidence in navigating a large, decentralized team that spans various regions.   
• Understanding of the philanthropic and political environment and best practices in fundraising.  
• Strong customer service orientation that centers donors as a critical part of mission-driven work.  
• High level of professionalism and discretion when communicating with executives, fundraisers and support staff.   
• Collaborative and inclusive approach to inter and intra departmental work.    
• Donor database (Salesforce) experience preferred.  
• Commitment to NRDC mission and values.  
• Experience with advocacy or environmental groups a plus.   
• Bachelor’s degree and a commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion required.  

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 $95,000 to $110,000.  

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month. 

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.