Director of Development

About the Organization

Friends of the Public Garden is one of the oldest non-profit park partnership organizations in the country with a half-century record of preserving and restoring Boston’s most iconic parks: the Boston Common, Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Founded in 1970, the organization has grown from a group of dedicated volunteers into a ten-person professional organization that partners closely with the City of Boston Parks Department to protect and enhance these three parks. Through parks care, programming, events, advocacy, and communications, the Friends ensures that Boston’s historic downtown parks are thriving greenspaces that serve all people and provide an essential foundation for civic life.

Position Description

The Director of Development is a senior level position that works closely with the President to continue to build the impact and reach of the organization. The right candidate will set the course for the Friends’ work through an informed, ambitious, and context-specific fundraising strategy. The Director reports to the President, works in collaboration with the Membership & Development Committee of the Board, and manages a team consisting of a Development Associate and a Development Manager. The Director is responsible for ensuring that all development programs are well managed and efficiently executed.

The Director of Development’s principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the Friends fundraising operations and development team, setting the fundraising strategy and targets with specific goals and expectations; all clearly communicated.
• Set and achieve ambitious annual and long-term revenue targets, while improving annual fund/membership engagement, the diversification of funding sources, and the success of major capital programs;
• Bring an analytical approach to establishing and reporting on key metrics for the fundraising systems, processes, and results;
• Work closely with communications and outreach staff to craft fundraising and public messaging materials, including fundraising collateral materials;
• Evaluate, update, and oversee systems of data entry, gift acknowledgment, prospect management, and volunteer management with respect to fundraising opportunities;
• Build and lead cultivation and fundraising events and opportunities; evaluate and refine established fundraising events including the annual Green & White gala;
• Develop and lead the strategy and implementation of donor cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgment, and stewardship efforts;
• Oversee regular reporting, prospecting, donor briefings, and donor stewardship activities;
• Produce an annual calendar of appeals and fundraising communications;
• Coordinate grant submissions and reporting;
• Oversee, lead, and successfully complete the organization’s capital campaigns in partnership with the President and the Board of Directors;
• Manage a portfolio of individual major gift donors and prospects, institutional prospects (foundations, corporate, other organizations); accompany the President and Board volunteers on donor meetings as needed;
• Develop a corporate prospect pipeline and corporate outreach strategy;
• Serve as liaison and staff for the Board-level Membership & Development Committee and effectively collaborate to leverage the networks and relationships built by organizational leadership in support of the Friends’ projects and programs; staff other Board committees, as needed;
• In collaboration with the President, attend external events and meetings as needed and serve as an ambassador for the organization;
• Serve as a senior member of the leadership team;
• Staff events as needed, and;
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. At least 10 years of progressively responsible fundraising, including prospect management and success closing large gifts, is required. An advanced degree is a plus.
• Superior demonstrated skills:
• oral and written communication skills;
• ensuring results within complex and dynamic circumstances;
• organizing and strategizing;
• developing relationships.
• Ability to work independently and within a team and bring a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and an ability to learn and adapt to new technologies and ways of completing tasks.
• A genuine interest in parks, horticulture, and/or the management of historic public spaces is a plus.
• A set of existing Boston donor relationships is a plus.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $135,000 - $155,000, commensurate with experience. This is a full time position.

To apply, send resume and letter of interest to: opportunities@friendsofthepublicgarden.org

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Friends of the Public Garden is an equal employment opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit harassment and discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or related medical conditions, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, transgendered status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.