Senior Director of Development

About Potomac Conservancy

Potomac Conservancy is the region’s leading clean water advocate, dedicated to ensuring the Potomac River is healthy, protected, and thriving for the communities and wildlife that depend on it. We mobilize people and partners to conserve land, advocate for clean water policies, and inspire local action to restore our nation’s river. With a collaborative and mission-driven team, we combine grassroots engagement with strategic advocacy to achieve measurable results that protect the Potomac and its riverside communities.

Position Overview

The Senior Director of Development plays a critical leadership role in driving Potomac Conservancy’s revenue growth and ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability. Reporting to the President and serving as a key member of the development team, this position manages a robust annual fundraising program, cultivates major donors, and oversees institutional giving. The Senior Director of Development is both a strategist and a hands-on fundraiser, focused on building lasting relationships with donors and delivering exceptional stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Operation

• Supervise a team of two development professionals and serve as the primary liaison for the direct mail, online giving, and event contractors.
• Supervise Conservation Funding Director to ensure institutional giving secures at least $600,000 annually, with a goal of growing institutional revenue by $150,000 over the next three years.
• Prepare and monitor the annual fundraising budget of approximately $2.7 million in contributed revenue, reporting progress to the President and Board, and responsibly manage the development team’s expenditures.
• Oversee database accuracy and ensure that fundraising systems are efficient, scalable, and support data-driven decision making.
• Promote close collaboration with program and communications teams to ensure alignment between fundraising and mission delivery.

Individual Giving & Major Donor Growth

• With the Senior Director, Major Gifts, grow Potomac Conservancy’s River Society ($1,000+) donor base by 15% annually, increasing revenue from this segment by at least $100,000 over three years.
• Personally manage a portfolio of 50–75 donors, with the goal of upgrading at least 20% of the portfolio annually and securing multi-year commitments where possible.
• Design and execute creative donor engagement strategies that improve overall donor retention to 80% or higher.

Annual Fund & Membership Program

• Oversee a membership program that generates at least $320,000 annually via direct mail and online fundraising, with a target to grow revenue by 5–7% each year.
• Partner with contractors and communications staff to test new approaches, optimize segmentation, and increase response rates.
• Track performance metrics and deliver quarterly reports to leadership on donor retention, acquisition, and revenue growth.

Event Management & Donor Engagement

• Lead planning and execution of Potomac Conservancy’s annual fundraising event and collaborate with Senior Director, Major Gifts to raise at least $150,000 net revenue, with year-over-year growth in sponsorships and participation.
• Develop smaller donor gatherings, site visits, and other engagement activities to bring donors closer to the mission and cultivate future major gifts.

Compensation, Benefits, and Location

• Salary range is $85,000-90,000.
• This position is full-time and allows for a choice of a hybrid work environment with in-office work in our Silver Spring, Maryland office balanced with the option of remote work. Meetings with partners must be in person as much as possible.
• Medical coverage through CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield group plan. The Conservancy will cover 80% of the cost of individual coverage and 50% of family coverage;
• Dental and vision coverage is available for the employee and family members; it’s 100% paid by the employee;
• 18 days paid time off, 11 holidays, and 3 floating personal holidays per year with leave increasing over tenure;
• Half-day Fridays in July and August and one week ‘end-of-year' break;
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program at the Conservancy’s expense;
• Flexible work schedule after 90-day onboarding period;
• 403 (b) retirement savings program with 3% match from the Conservancy;
• Flex spending accounts to cover out of pocket medical, transportation, and childcare expenses;
• Working with bright, fun coworkers; and interacting with a supportive board of directors;
• Short- and long-term disability income protection and life insurance at the Conservancy’s expense