Development Director

About Wild Montana and Wild Montana Action Fund: Wild Montana has yet again been listed on Outside Magazine's list of the “50 Best Places to Work.” We take pride in a strong culture, which includes competitive benefits, flexibility, trust, work-life balance, and fun.  Wild Montana unites and mobilizes communities to keep Montana wild. We work across the state and beyond to secure a future where people and wildlife flourish because public lands and waters are wild and connected, and all communities can enjoy the quality of life these lands and waters provide. Our work safeguards wildlands, secures wildlife habitat and migration corridors, and keeps headwaters and streams running cold, clear, and connected.  Wild Montana Action Fund (the Action Fund) builds the political power necessary to protect and conserve public lands and wild places across the state by elevating the voices of Montanans who cherish our outdoor way of life. Competetive Compensation; generous benefits include fully paid health & dental insurance with Health Saving Account contributions, a matching Simple IRA retirement plan, 20 days of personal leave per year, 12 days of sick leave per year, 15 paid holidays, and flexibility in work schedules including a four-day work week. Flexible Schedules. 

Job Overview

Job Title: Development Director 

Supervisor: Executive Director

Compensation: $74,000 to $87,000 (depending on experience); generous benefits include fully paid health & dental insurance with Health Saving Account contributions, a matching Simple IRA retirement plan, 20 days of personal leave per year, 12 days of sick leave per year, 15 paid holidays, and flexibility in work schedules including a four-day work week.   

Classification: Full Time, Permanent 

Work Location: Helena, MT is preferred, although we will consider work locations throughout the state of Montana.

Summary of Position:

The Development Director leads a professional development team of four and provides oversight for all development activities for Wild Montana and the Action Fund. This position is responsible for developing a comprehensive development plan with strategic goals that tie to all of our strategic priorities and funding needs. The director oversees all fundraising efforts and manages a portfolio of donors and funders. The position supports the board and staff members with donor cultivation and stewardship strategies and facilitates organization-wide engagement in fundraising.  The development director is a member of Wild Montana’s leadership team.

The development director’s duties and responsibilities support both Wild Montana and Wild Montana Action Fund. This position is expected to travel up to 20% of the time.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Development

• Meet with current donors and funders on a continual basis to establish effective communications and relationships, and manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects.
• Create strategies to engage and cultivate prospective donors and foundations. 
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of organizational priorities and make a persuasive oral and written case for support for key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific programs.
• Responsible for the planning and execution of the development plan and all development activities. 
• Implement and evaluate a comprehensive planned giving program. 

• Support a culture of innovation, analysis, and adaptation, regularly analyzing internal data and studying external trends to refine strategies and ensure development programs are effective.

• Plan, implement, and evaluate an annual calendar of key development activities and communications including publications, digital media, and other marketing materials.

Management

• Supervise development staff, craft performance expectations, and individual work plans, and conduct performance reviews. 
• Develop, implement, and evaluate a long-range development plan with strategic short—and long-term goals that align with strategic priorities. 
• Identify and solicit financial resources that meet and/or exceed budget expectations. Prepare revenue and expense projections and work with staff throughout the annual budgeting process.
• Facilitate problem-solving and collaboration to ensure cooperation among team members.
• Develop measurement and evaluation systems to assess progress toward achieving goals and effectiveness of development plan activities.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures for development activities.

Staff and Board Engagement 

• Engage the Board of Directors in fundraising including major donor stewardship and solicitation, event participation, and general membership activities.
• Participate in board meetings as needed and provide development reports and additional information when requested.
• Develop a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization. 
• Provide ongoing training and assistance to the Board of Directors, staff, and key volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven ability to perform the major duties and responsibilities above
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to supervise a team

• Experience with donor cultivation and developing fundraising campaigns
• Ability to create positive first impressions with donors and build lasting relationships
• Ability to work collaboratively with volunteers and co-workers and maintain a positive and constructive attitude
• Ability to develop and monitor plans
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple assignments and be able to handle complex tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Time management skills and an ability to work under deadlines
• Experience with donor management software
• Familiarity with and commitment to public land protection
• Commitment to diversity, equity,  inclusion, and justice

Minimum Requirements

REQUIREMENTS:    

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time, as well as the willingness to work nights and weekends as needed.
• Valid United States driver’s license and insurable.

Hiring Timeline:

Applications will be accepted through January 28, 2025, or until the position is filled. Interviews will be held in February/March with the goal of job placement in March 2025. 

How to apply:

Email a resume and cover letter to operations director, Laura Parr, at [email protected]. Call (406) 312-8740 with questions. Cover letters should describe pertinent professional and personal experiences.

Wild Montana and the Action Fund are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. We work to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, compensation, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant based on identity, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, genetic information, parental status, marital status, national origin, age, pregnancy, religion, disability and/or veteran's status. Applicants of all identities are encouraged to apply.