Managing Director of Development - Southern Region

Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer match

Paid vacation (3 weeks)

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays (10)

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. seeks a Managing Director of Development to provide strategic direction and leadership for major gift efforts in the Southern Region, covering AL, AR, LA, MS, and TN.

The role focuses on cultivating and soliciting major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support conservation goals. The position reports to the National Director of Development, works remotely within the Southern Region, and requires significant travel.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree from an accredited university and six years of fundraising experience.
• At least four years in development/major gift experience.
• Experience with comprehensive fundraising campaigns and regional philanthropic networks.
• Interest in outdoor conservation activities.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a portfolio of high-net-worth major gift prospects.
• Partner with National Director to move leadership prospects to philanthropic commitment.
• Guide Directors of Development in strategy development for cultivating and soliciting major donor prospects.
• Delegate assignments and evaluate staff performance in all areas, including prospect management, solicitation, and follow-up activities.
• Promote a cohesive fundraising team of staff and volunteers within the region to implement a comprehensive major gift program.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with conservation and event staff within the region to further the development program and the mission of DU.
• Work with staff and volunteers to develop state campaign and DOD work plans to foster growth and improvement in the development program.
• Partner with the Managing Director of Gift Planning to pursue blended gifts.
• Represent development on the Regional Leadership Team.
• Serve as a member of the development management and leadership prospect management teams.
• Oversee the recruitment, onboarding/training, coaching, performance, and retention of a cohesive team.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Relationship building

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Power BI

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Ducks Unlimited, Inc., the continent's leader in waterfowl and wetlands conservation, seeks a Managing Director of Development to provide strategic direction and leadership for the development of major gift efforts in the Southern Region, including the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. In addition, the Managing Director is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support Ducks Unlimited's conservation mission.

Reporting and Location:

This position reports to the National Director of Development and works remotely at a mutually agreed-upon city within the Southern Region. Candidates must be willing to work hours outside the typical workday and workweek throughout the year. Significant overnight travel is required. As a remote employee, you may be required to come in at any time, with reasonable notice, into a DU office (or other designated location) for meetings and other business needs.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

• Maintain a personal portfolio of high-net-worth major gift prospects to cultivate, solicit, and steward.
• Partner with the National Director to move assigned leadership prospects to philanthropic commitment.
• Guide Directors of Development in strategy development for cultivating and soliciting major donor prospects.
• Delegate assignments and evaluate staff performance in all areas, including prospect management, solicitation, and follow‑up activities.
• Promote a cohesive fundraising team of staff and volunteers within the region to implement a comprehensive major gift program and support other fundraising activities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with conservation and event staff within the region to further the development program and the mission of DU.
• Work with staff and volunteers to develop state campaign and DOD work plans to foster growth and improvement in the development program.
• Partner with the Managing Director of Gift Planning to ensure teams identify and pursue blended gifts.
• Represent development on the Regional Leadership Team.
• Serve as a member of the development management and leadership prospect management teams.
• Oversee the recruitment, onboarding/training, coaching, performance, and retention of a cohesive team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience and Education:

Applicants must have a four-year degree from an accredited university and six years of fundraising experience, which includes at least four years of development/major gift experience. Experience with comprehensive fundraising campaigns, relationships in the region’s philanthropic community, and an interest in outdoor conservation activities are also desired.

Communication Skills:

Superb communication, writing, and presentation skills, and the ability to persuasively convey the mission of DU

Technological Proficiency:

Computer literacy with a proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Power BI; experience with complex customer relationship management software

Interpersonal Skills:

Proven success in building and maintaining long‑term relationships with fundraising constituents and in soliciting and securing major gifts

Salary and Benefits Package

Salary commensurate with experience.DU offers an exceptional benefit package, including comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; three weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, and ten paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.

DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information, except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.