Associate Director of Institutional Giving

Brevard Zoo; Melbourne (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, FL is seeking an Associate Director of Institutional Giving to lead strategy, secure foundation support, and manage a robust funder portfolio in support of the zoo and conservation programs.

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, you will supervise the Institutional Giving team, build donor relationships, set revenue goals, and collaborate across departments to align fundraising with organizational priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in institutional fundraising, foundation relations, or grant development.
• Demonstrated success securing significant philanthropic support from foundations and other institutional funders.
• Experience leading and supervising fundraising or grants professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategy, establish priorities and hold a team accountable for results.
• Experience managing a portfolio and moving prospects through cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with funders, senior leadership, board members and colleagues.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong strategic, organizational and project-management skills.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge or another fundraising CRM preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead institutional fundraising efforts and manage relationships with foundations, corporations and community partners.
• Supervise the Institutional Giving team and oversee proposals, grants and stewardship.
• Collaborate across departments to meet fundraising goals and track progress and results.

Skills

Relationship-building

Written and verbal communication

Strategic planning

Portfolio management

Supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Position: Associate Director of Institutional Giving

Status: Full-Time; FLSA Salary Exempt

Department: Philanthropy

Reports to: Director of Philanthropy

Position Overview

Located along the Space Coast in Melbourne, Florida, East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF) is best known for its flagship campus, Brevard Zoo, an AZA-accredited facility with a diverse collection of over 900 animals representing nearly 200 species. ECZF is also known for its large portfolio of conservation projects, including endangered species breeding, imperiled species rehabilitation, wide-scale habitat restoration and monitoring of threatened species.

The Associate Director of Institutional Giving leads East Coast Zoological Foundation’s strategy for securing philanthropic support from foundations and other institutional funders in support of Brevard Zoo, Bowen Aquarium and Conservation Center, Restore Our Shores, and other organizational priorities.

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, this position is responsible for growing institutional giving revenue, developing and managing a strong pipeline of funders, cultivating significant institutional relationships. The Associate Director maintains a portfolio of key institutional prospects and funders while ensuring a coordinated, relationship-driven approach to institutional fundraising across the organization.

Working closely with Philanthropy leadership and colleagues across the organization, the Associate Director ensures institutional and community fundraising efforts are strategic, relationship-driven and aligned with ECZF’s overall philanthropic priorities.

Qualifications

Education and Relevant Experience Requirements

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in institutional fundraising, foundation relations, or grant development.
• Demonstrated success securing significant philanthropic support from foundations and other institutional funders.
• Experience leading and supervising fundraising or grants professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategy, establish priorities and hold a team accountable for results.
• Experience managing a portfolio and moving prospects through cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with funders, senior leadership, board members and colleagues.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong strategic, organizational and project-management skills.

PREFERRED / DESIRED

• Experience with Raiser’s Edge or another fundraising CRM preferred.

Essential Functions

The following reflects ECZF’s definition of essential functions for this position but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. ECZF may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

• Lead institutional fundraising efforts and manage relationships with foundations, corporations and community partners.
• Supervise the Institutional Giving team and oversee proposals, grants and stewardship.
• Collaborate across departments to meet fundraising goals and track progress and results.

Institutional Giving Strategy, Revenue & Relationships — 45%

• Develop and execute strategies to grow philanthropic revenue from foundations, corporations, community partners and other institutional funders.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of local, regional and national institutional prospects aligned with organizational priorities.
• Maintain a portfolio of significant institutional prospects and partners, leading cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies.
• Identify opportunities for new, renewed and increased support across Brevard Zoo, Bowen Aquarium and Conservation Center, Restore Our Shores, and other organizational priorities.
• Establish annual revenue goals and projections and monitor progress throughout the year.
• Build and strengthen relationships with foundation leaders, corporate partners, community leaders and other key decision-makers.
• Engage organizational leadership, board members and Philanthropy colleagues in cultivation and solicitation strategies as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Finance, program staff and other internal partners to develop compelling and fundable opportunities.

Team Leadership & Fundraising Management — 35%

• Lead and supervise the Institutional Giving team, including corporate giving, community engagement and grants.
• Establish clear goals, priorities and performance expectations aligned with Philanthropy revenue objectives.
• Coach and develop team members and foster a collaborative, accountable and relationship-driven fundraising culture.
• Provide strategic direction for corporate and community partnerships, foundation relations, grant development and institutional stewardship.
• Guide strategies for significant proposals, partnerships and funding opportunities, directly participating in high-priority opportunities as appropriate.
• Ensure effective management of proposals, grant commitments, reporting requirements, stewardship and partner deliverables.
• Coordinate prospect and relationship strategies across the Philanthropy team to ensure a cohesive approach and clear ownership.

Pipeline, Planning & Performance — 20%

• Lead regular review of institutional giving pipelines, portfolios, revenue forecasts and fundraising activity.
• Identify gaps and opportunities and adjust strategies and resources to support revenue growth.
• Partner with Philanthropy Operations to ensure prospects, proposals, grants, partnerships, actions and commitments are accurately tracked and reported.
• Use fundraising data and results to evaluate performance, inform strategy and identify opportunities for growth.
• Participate in department planning, budgeting and development of annual fundraising priorities.
• Ensure institutional giving strategies and activities remain aligned with broader Philanthropy and organizational goals.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Requirements

(S) Sedentary Work

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Potential Environmental Conditions / Hazards

Indoor office environment most often with frequent movement outdoors. Exposure to extreme heat and weather conditions. Requires Sitting, Standing, Walking, Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, Finger Dexterity, Talking, Hearing, and Visual Acuity frequently.

Must be willing to work in inclement weather including temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and high humidity. Frequent movement outdoors with some indoor office environment. Exposure to extreme heat and weather conditions. Requires Sitting, Standing, Walking, Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, Finger Dexterity, Talking, Hearing, and Visual Acuity frequently.

Ability to work for extended periods of time in Florida weather is required. Associated hazards include but are not limited to extreme heat and humidity, rain, mosquitos, stingrays, etc. Requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, and lifting, as well as finger dexterity, and the ability to talk, hear, and see.

Work Schedule

Will be required to work weekends, nights, and holidays as needed.

Travel

May be required to travel for donor visits, typically no more than two (2) hours away from the ECZF office.

The above information in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with ECZF’s policies on evaluation of personnel.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

East Coast Zoological Society of Florida, Inc., dba Brevard Zoo, is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any aspect of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, transfer, termination, or any other terms and conditions of employment.

Employees and applicants are encouraged to report any concerns regarding discrimination or harassment, and retaliation for reporting such concerns is strictly prohibited.

Brevard Zoo is committed to an inclusive environment where employees are encouraged to be their authentic selves. We value the diverse qualities, perspectives, and experiences of all individuals. Join us in sharing the joy of nature to help people and wildlife thrive.