Bayou Preservation Association seeks Director of Development

ORGANIZATION: Bayou Preservation Association, Inc.
POSITION: Director of Development, Full-Time Exempt
REPORTS TO: President and Chief Operating Officer
LOCATION: Houston, Texas

MISSION
To celebrate, protect and restore the natural richness of all our bayous and streams.

VISION
Our Vision is a network of healthy bayous, streams and watersheds.

ABOUT BAYOU PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION
The Bayou Preservation Association focuses on four key programs to accomplish its mission: bayou appreciation, bayou citizen science, trash-free bayous, and stream corridor restoration. Cross-cutting projects and initiatives – those that address the goals of more than one program – also continue, such as the annual Symposium, public policy review and response, and communications tools. It works to increase understanding of area bayous and creeks and their watersheds by providing educational programs and opportunities, activities and events to engage all the region’s demographics. Bayou Preservation Association also strives to expand stewardship and stewardship opportunities to improve the health of our watersheds, creeks, and bayous. The Bayou Preservation Association’s values include sciencebased policies and actions, collaboration, community, and professional communications.

THE OPPORTUNITY
This is an opportunity to be part of a team shaping a long-standing environmental organization as it moves into an exciting new phase. This position will serve a critical leadership role in supporting all aspects of resource development, donor management, and fundraising events of Bayou Preservation Association. The Association comprises four staff; a five-person volunteer Executive committee, a 13-person Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer and 60 + volunteers serving as watershed representatives, committee members, and council of advisors.

POSITION SUMMARY
Together with the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Committee, and Development Committee, the Director of Development will maximize the generation of funds for Bayou Preservation Association. The primary function of the Director of Development is to create and implement development goals as part of a broader organizational strategic plan to secure funding needed to meet Bayou Preservation Association’s budgetary needs to carry out its mission and vision. Responsibilities include designing and implementing annual development plan; monitoring and sharing progress toward goals; leading effective fundraising campaigns; facilitating successful fundraising events; working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Board to create and lead relationship management strategies in support of identifying, engaging and cultivating individual, foundation, and business donors, including building Bayou Preservation Association’s base of recurring donors; stewarding major gifts; and managing foundation relations and grant applications and reports.

Under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Development will serve as a key member of the Association, holding primary responsibility for qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major development, with emphasis on major gifts. The Director of Development will play an integral role in executing a formal strategy to support targeting new major donors and cultivating these relationships. Candidates must have a commitment to Bayou Preservation Associations Mission and Vision.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Oversee, maintain, and expand the Association’s donor database and associated development tools (Network for Good)
• Secure annual financial support from sponsors, donors, and grantors for three signature event (Annual Symposium, Luncheon, and Gala) and four signature programs
• Develop and create a planned giving program
• Develop annual strategic development frameworks and implementation planning, oversight, and guidance
• Serve as Chair and provide management of the Bayou Preservation Association Development committee
• Coordinate with sponsors, event planners, volunteers, and other stakeholders to ensure that events run smoothly
• Create proposals that detail event budgets (i.e. revenue, expenses, and net profit) and how much each donor level will raise
• Manage the Association’s overall fundraising efforts by identifying potential donors, cultivating relationships, and soliciting donations
• Directly manage and steward a portfolio of new donors with the capacity to contribute major gifts
• Conduct research on prospective donors to determine which individuals or companies might be interested in supporting a particular program/project/event.
• Build donor relationships through personalized communications with donors to keep them engaged throughout the fundraising process; oversee planning and execution of donor field trips
• Recommend changes to the Association’s policies, procedures, or practices based on insights from research or industry best practices
• Devise and coordinate marketing materials such as annual reports, brochures, mailers, and social media campaigns to promote the organization’s mission and solicit donations.
• Prepare an annual development budget based on projected revenue and expenses.
• Write tailored applications, addressing grant-making priorities or requirements as specified by individual foundations, grantors, or contracts
• Develop and maintain reporting and application systems and coordinate information with staff.
• Assist the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors in developing a three-year fundraising strategy
• Participate in Board meetings; contribute new ideas for fundraising and identify suitable funding initiatives

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree preferred. Environmental or biological sciences background a plus.
• CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive) professional certifications a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to research and compose professional documents, develop lay-person and media-appropriate content, and to speak in public; Spanish language skills a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and manage productive relationships with partners, decision-makers, stakeholder groups, consultants, and staff.
• Demonstrated success in working in a team-oriented environment as well as ability to work independently, athome, or remotely if necessary, once trained.
• Ability to travel to meetings, presentations, and event locations (locally and regionally) in personal vehicle (mileage reimbursable).
• Passion for waterways and love of nature.
• Detail-oriented individual must be able to manage multiple concurrent projects and keep accurate records.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; demonstration of ability to use mail merge, create labels.
• Positive attitude that fosters congenial and collaborative work relationships.
• Willingness to work on weekends, evenings or outdoors for events, workshops, trainings, exhibits, and meetings.
• Ability to lift 30 – 40 pounds.

Benefits: Health insurance stipend and retirement savings match available.
Salary: $80,000 -$90,000
Bayou Preservation Association’s physical workspace is located at 2339 Commerce Street Houston, TX 77002

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should send a resumé, cover letter, and three references to
bflowers@bayoupreservation.org by May 31. Please reference the position title in the subject line of the email. We will contact those candidates who most closely match our requirements.

The Bayou Preservation Association is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of differences based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristic.