Chief Development Officer

About Potomac Conservancy

Potomac Conservancy is a nationally accredited land trust and clean water leader working to restore and protect the Potomac River for the six million people who depend on it. With the support of more than 42,000 advocates and donors, we protect natural lands, restore habitat, and advance policies that improve water quality and climate resilience.

Position Overview

Reporting to the President, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) is Potomac Conservancy’s senior fundraising strategist, lead major gift fundraiser, and Development Team leader. The CDO plans, leads, and executes a comprehensive fundraising strategy to grow philanthropic revenue; leads, empowers and strengthens Potomac Conservancy’s Development Team; and personally cultivates, makes gift and pledge requests of, and stewards individual donors and financial prospects. The CDO is expected to secure a minimum of $500,000 in their initial year (and grow this amount each year going forward) primarily through in-person gift requests of five- and four -figure gifts from individual donors and prospects.

As a member of the Potomac Conservancy Executive Team, the CDO helps shape organizational strategy, engages the Board and other volunteer leaders in fundraising, and builds the long-term relationships and systems needed to resource the Clean Potomac Plan.

Specific Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy and Leadership (20%)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy encompassing individuals, foundations, corporations, and events.
• Establish annual revenue goals, budgets, performance measures, and pipeline strategies; regularly report progress, opportunities, and risks to the President and Board.
• Partner with Potomac Conservancy’s President, Executive Team, program and communications staff to align fundraising priorities and donor messaging with organizational strategy.
• Engage and equip Board members to participate effectively in donor identification, cultivation, gift and grant requests, and stewardship.

Major Gifts and Donor Relationships (60%)

• Personally manage a portfolio of major-level ($25,000+) individual donors and prospects, building relationships through regular meetings, meaningful engagement, and personalized stewardship.
• Secure $500,000+ (to begin) annually, primarily through in-person gift requests of five- and four-figure gifts from individual donors and prospects.
• Develop clear cultivation and gift and grant request strategies for each portfolio of donors moving prospects consistently toward increased and multi-year support.
• Partner with Potomac Conservancy’s President and Board members on high-level donor meetings, solicitations, and stewardship.
• Ensure a consistently strong and inclusive donor experience that increases retention, upgrades, and long-term investment in the mission.

Team and Development Operations (20%)

• Lead, coach, and hold accountable a high-performing Development Team, with clear roles, goals, interim benchmarks, and success measurements.
• Build the team’s capacity in relationship-based fundraising, donor discovery and pipeline development, portfolio management, gift and grant requests, follow-up, and stewardship.
• Ensure effective coordination across Board and major gifts, institutional giving, membership, corporate partnerships, events, and development communications.
• Oversee development systems, donor data, pipeline reporting, and departmental investments.
• Foster an organization-wide culture in which staff and Board members understand and support fundraising activity, accountability, and success.

Qualifications

• Significant fundraising experience with increased scope and responsibility, including demonstrated success personally requesting and closing six-, five- and four-figure gifts and pledges.
• A proven record of managing a major gift portfolio and generating $500,000+ annually in individual gifts and pledges.
• Strong strategic judgment and experience developing and executing a diversified fundraising plan.
• Experience partnering with a CEO and Board members to cultivate and solicit major donors.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the presence and confidence to inspire Board members, donors, and financial prospects, and well represent Potomac Conservancy.
• Commitment to Potomac Conservancy’s mission and to building an inclusive community of donors and supporters.

We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every qualification.

• Hybrid schedule with 1–2 days/week in Bethesda, MD office.
• Benefits include medical coverage, with 80% of premiums covered by the Conservancy;
• Competitive rates on dental and vision coverage
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program at no cost
• Flexible spending accounts
• 403(b) match with no vesting period
• 18 days paid time off, 11 holidays, and 3 floating personal holidays per year, with leave increasing over tenure;
• Up to 16 weeks of paid leave for qualifying family and medical needs after 12 months of employment;
• Half-day Fridays in July and August and a one-week year-end office closure;
• Working with bright, fun coworkers; and interacting with a supportive board of directors.