Director of Stewardship  

Ducks Unlimited, Inc., the continent’s leader in waterfowl and wetlands conservation, seeks a Director of Stewardship to create, implement, manage and assess a comprehensive major donor/gift planning stewardship and annual giving program to assist the organization to achieve and surpass its strategic fundraising goals.  The scope of work includes all aspects of donor relations, stewardship, annual giving and related communications. This position's role is to sustain positive and mutually-rewarding relations between Ducks Unlimited and its donors; partner with development directors and other development staff, national board, development committee and WAT board to determine the best strategies for effective stewardship of donors; maintain ongoing and active networking with internal and external constituencies; develop and coordinate recognition events and communications for major gift donors and coordinate various stewardship activities with Ducks Unlimited Canada and Ducks Unlimited de Mexico.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

• Develop, implement, and lead a successful and integrated donor relations program that strategically targets all Major Sponsors, planned giving donors and corporate partners.
• Ensure donors are acknowledged and recognized to strengthen and increase their financial support for Ducks Unlimited.
• Serve as a liaison and specialist to the development team in order to provide cultivation and stewardship assistance for individual donors and prospects. Create innovative programs and projects to recognize and steward donors.
• Direct the development and implementation of strategic donor communication plan incorporating multiple mediums.
• Serve as primary liaison with the communications team on all development program projects to include Ducks Unlimited Magazine, Flightline, the annual report, web-based and social media sites, e-communication, and campaign materials.
• Coordinate with field team to manage major donor event activities (field experiences, evenings of conservation, project dedications, major donor hunts) to include maintaining department event calendar, managing invitations, creating/maintaining photo archive and publicizing through appropriate communication vehicles.
• Working with the development staff, develop comprehensive and personalized stewardship plans for Wetlands America Trust members and other leadership prospects.
• Oversee the President’s Council program to include regular stewardship, special acknowledgments, creating program materials, identifying prospects and working with field staff to increase donors at this level.
• Provide leadership and management for the major donor annual giving program.  Serve as liaison with Membership to increase annual giving and better steward donors at all giving levels.
• Actively participate with the development management and leadership prospect management teams.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Applicants must have a four-year degree from an accredited university, five years of fundraising experience which includes at least four years of development or advancement services experience.  Candidates must also have superb communications, writing, and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the mission of DU; proficiency in prioritizing and managing multiple, diverse and on-going projects; proven success in building and maintaining long-term effective partnerships with fundraising constituents and staff; and knowledge of current and evolving trends in major gift solicitation.  Other desired qualifications include supervisory and training experience; interpersonal skills and ability to appropriately manage sensitive and confidential information along with a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel.  Experience working with a complex donor database preferred. Strong consideration will be given to candidates with established relationships with DU donors and staff. 

The Director of Stewardship reports to the Managing Director of Development Operations and is based at the National Headquarters in Memphis, TN.

Candidates must be willing to work hours that extend outside of the typical workday and workweek throughout the year; overnight travel is required.

To apply, please visit www.ducks.org/jobs to submit a cover letter indicating why you are interested in the position and a resume detailing your qualifications. For additional information, contact Kathy McCollum, Managing Director of Development Operations, at (kmccollum@ducks.org).  Resume review will begin on Friday, May 31 and continue until the position is filled.