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.

The NRDC Action Fund’s mission is to build political support in the United States for protecting the planet and its people. We mobilize influential constituencies, experts, community leaders, and others to directly advocate for clean air and water, public health, biodiversity, and a stable climate. We support candidates who stand up for environmental protection, and we expose those who side with polluters rather than the public good.

NRDC Action Fund is seeking a Director of Development, NRDC Action Fund to work with the Development team at any of the NRDC/Action Fund offices, with Washington, D.C. preferred.

Position Summary 

The Action Fund Director of Development will lead the fundraising efforts for the NRDC Action Fund, including its affiliated federal PAC (the NRDC Action Fund, Inc. PAC) and the independent expenditure PAC (NRDC Action Votes) and will be responsible for raising the Action Fund’s annual budget. Working closely with the leadership of Major Gifts, Foundations, Membership and Digital Fundraising, the Director is expected to plan, direct, and execute a national fundraising strategy in partnership with Donor Relations, Special Events, and all other development colleagues. This includes supporting all institutional frontline fundraisers with their Action Fund efforts, leveraging senior leadership to accelerate giving, and personally managing a targeted high-value portfolio of donors and Action Fund board members. The Director will join the Major Gifts Leadership Team, working closely with colleagues in other regional offices to maximize the Action Fund’s national brand and reach.

• Create and oversee the implementation of the NRDC Action Fund’s annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the National Director of Major Gifts, Managing Director of Foundations, Managing Director of Membership as well as the Digital Director to achieve annual revenue goals
• Partner closely and effectively with External Affairs, Political Affairs, Government Affairs, and Campaigns team leaders to assess and formulate fundraising opportunities around Action Fund advocacy and electoral plans.
• Partner with NRDC Institutional Foundation team members to meet and grow the Action Fund’s foundation revenue goals through dedicated Action Fund development efforts to support the Action Fund’s advocacy program, and deploy fundraising appeals to grow the Action Fund’s small and mid-level donor pools
• Support the fundraising and giving efforts of the Action Fund’s board and cultivate a trusted relationship with the NRDC Action Fund board members, provide input to the Nominating and Development Committee and participate in the Finance & Audit Committee, as needed
• Oversee the NRDC grasstop program (Green Leaders for Change), work in partnership with Donor Relations to build the donor strategy for the annual Green Leaders for Change Advocacy Summit, and work with Government Affairs to secure key elected officials and administrative allies
• Develop and implement a strategy to raise funds for political candidates and PACs to support the GiveGreen program, including the annual Green Senate event in New York City.
• Establish relationships with key GiveGreen stakeholders and partners and work with Development leadership to further integrate GiveGreen into the department
• Manage the Action Fund Development team including a Major Gifts Officer and Development Manager to meet annual fundraising goals, support all NRDC Institutional frontline fundraisers with Action Fund engagement, and work in partnership with Donor Relations to build Major Donor, Midlevel and Foundations cultivation, engagement and stewardship plans
• Travel to meet with donors, staff board meetings, and attend events

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, required. Graduate degree preferred.
• 7+ years of previous political fundraising experience is required.
• 3+ years of previous management experience is required.
• Experience with environmental advocacy organizations, groups, and issues preferred.

Skills, Abilities, Competencies

• Knowledge and interest in advocacy, lobbying, and electoral politics required.
• Ability to interface effectively with donors, Board members, and senior staff
• Ability to plan and steward long-term relationships with major donors and prospects
• Ability to work as a collaborative team member with internal colleagues and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple, complex fundraising activities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with managing staff and coaching program staff to succeed in fundraising scenarios
• Strong communication and writing skills
• Passion for the mission and goals of the NRDC Action Fund and NRDC
• Ability to travel to NRDC/Action Fund U.S. based offices, approximately 15% annually
• Commitment to NRDC and the Action Fund’s mission, values, and DEI principles

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 $145,000 to $170,000.  

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.