The Development Program Associate is an integral team player within the busy, fast-paced NY development team. The position requires excellent organizational skills, storytelling and writing skills, as well as knack for building strong, productive relationships with a portfolio of donors. The candidate is curious, always looking to connect the dots, and distills complex science into reports/proposals/ stories that motivate donors and keeps them strongly engaged and in touch with our work. The candidate must possess exceptional and creative written communications skills, demonstrating an ability to independently tailor written communications for a variety of different audiences. Overseeing the management of a key cohort of donors, the candidate will create targeted outreach to build donor engagement, from first contact through proposals and stewardship, across a variety of communication channels–including email, phone, via events, etc. In addition, the candidate plays a key role in ensuring that the division-wide donor communications libraries and calendar are up-to-date, organized, fresh, and accessible to other team members, and relationship managers (RM’s).

The Development Program Associate will work towards meeting the strategic priorities of the team. They will have substantial contact with stakeholders and have a key role regarding outreach to internal and/or external audiences. They will manage, track, and report on key data related to the team scope and priorities. The Associate will perform independent analysis on key data to inform divisional or organizational activities, which may include donor or gift information. They will work on a variety of activities including writing and editing and providing program information to prospects and drafting routine correspondence and acknowledgments. They use the Conservancy’s donor database to update donor information, produce reports, and track and cultivate donors. The Associate must maintain advanced skills with the systems and resources utilized by the team to execute tasks and provide direction to programs they are assigned to work with. They will implement processes and practices to improve effectiveness based on their in-depth understanding of related policies and procedures. Importantly, the Associate will effectively communicate or distribute information to assist staff in writing proposals, making decisions, solving problems, and improving workflow. They may be asked to take on additional duties to enhance the work of the team.

• Manage and tailor communications for a portfolio of 20 – 50 individual and foundation donors with the capacity to make a gift up to $10,000.
• Annual fundraising goal of $100,000 or more achieved through successful engagement of pool of important “middle donors”.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to collect necessary information to draft donor stewardship reports for the larger NY division.
• Manage all aspects of bi-annual appeal letter process from coordinating with internal staff, researching stories ideas, writing, fact checking, and editing to overseeing. production with outside vendors including graphic designer(s), copyeditor, and printer(s).
• Manage development content libraries and calendar making proposals, fact sheets, newsletters, photos, and all other donor communication materials accessible to the development team.
• Assist with science and photo research for and formatting of proposals, PowerPoint decks and other visual communications as needed.
• Persuasively convey the mission of The Nature Conservancy to diverse groups who are important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
• Act independently on assigned tasks and exercise independent judgment based on analysis and experience.
• Coordinate projects with several variables, work within a defined timeline and budget.
• Provide input through project teams for the improvement of existing programs.
• Refers difficult questions and unusual problems to supervisors.
• Does not supervise any staff, but may supervise interns, volunteers and/or temporary staff.
• Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements.
• Financial responsibility includes working within a budget and meeting fundraising goals for local and worldwide conservation.
• Travel and work flexible hours.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
• Work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines.
• Work within scope of program’s strategic goals.