Director of Development

The Nature Conservancy

. Lead South Carolina’s fundraising strategy to achieve $4.5 million to $9 million annually .

Posted 11/9/2026full-timeNorth Charleston • South Carolina • United StatesLead💰 $130,000 - $160,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading fundraising strategies and managing high-performing teams within a complex non-profit environment. Proficient in major gift solicitation, budget management, and compliance with legal and financial standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Fundraising Strategy DevelopmentMajor Gift SolicitationTeam Leadership and DevelopmentBudget ManagementNon-Profit Management Best Practices

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Campaign PlanningDonor ProspectingPlanned GivingEndowments ManagementFinancial ReportingNegotiation SkillsGift Planning ConceptsProgram AccountabilityRelationship BuildingTarget Achievement

Soft Skills

Strategic Decision-MakingOrganizational SkillsCommunication SkillsCollaboration SkillsProblem-Solving Skills

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft 365ExcelPowerPointWordOutlookTeams

Industry Keywords

Non-Profit EnvironmentMajor DonorsFoundationsCorporate PartnershipsCampaign ExecutionBoard EngagementLegacy ClubMulti-Year CampaignsCompliance StandardsCross-Cultural Experience

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead South Carolina’s fundraising strategy to achieve $4.5 million to $9 million annually
Gain command of the multi-year campaign in its early silent phase and execute the strategy for campaign success
Lead, manage, develop, and retain a high-performing development team
Grow the donor pipeline and cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift donors, foundations, corporations, and key partners
Partner with the State Director, Board Chair, trustees, and campaign volunteers to strengthen fundraising engagement
Manage major gift functions, including planned giving, endowments, principal gifts, donor prospecting, research, donor engagement, and multi-year campaigns
Report development program activities to leadership and the South Carolina Board of Trustees
Maintain 100% Board participation in TNC’s Legacy Club and work with Trustee Legacy Ambassadors
Design and direct complex projects, coordinate other professionals, manage budgets, and ensure program accountability
Develop and administer budgets and fundraising objectives; evaluate results and develop corrective strategies
Direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high-profile, or sensitive agreements
Ensure compliance with program commitments, TNC policies, financial standards, and legal requirements
Lead strategic initiatives with senior-level stakeholders
Make strategic decisions with potential program-wide financial or legal impact
Plan and lead new programs and initiatives
Travel frequently and on short notice, work long hours and weekends, with up to 30% in-state travel

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience, including experience working at a senior level, or equivalent combination of years’ working experience and educational degree
Demonstrated success with planning, organizing and running campaigns with significant target achievement
Experience asking for and closing major gifts
Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with major donors, foundations and corporations
Experience planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities
Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team
Experience working in a large, complex, not-for-profit environment
Experience, coursework, or other training in principles, practices, and procedures of relevant field
Strong proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Teams
Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gifts giving and solicitation
Knowledge of advanced gift planning concepts
Experience leading, managing and developing a high-performing team
Proficiency synthesizing materials from multiple sources into coherent and accurate summaries for executive audiences
Advanced understanding of best practices in non-profit management
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program
Successful completion of TNC’s background screening process
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health care benefits
Flexible spending accounts
401(k) plan with an 8% employer match
Parental leave
Accrued paid time off
Life insurance
Disability coverage
Employee assistance program
Other life and work well-being benefits
Flexible work environment
Career development
Flexible schedules