Trust Specialist jobs in Danbury, CT

HHLT seeks an experienced and driven professional to help expand and enhance our outreach and giving programs. The Director of Development and Outreach (“the Director”) plays a major role in strengthening HHLT’s relationships and visibility in the community and ensuring that HHLT meets its annual goals for fundraising, community outreach, and public relations.

The Director must be a highly effective storyteller, fundraiser and relationship-builder who can passionately communicate HHLT’s impact on our region by fulfilling our mission “to conserve and care for the lands and waters of the Hudson Highlands so that people and nature can flourish together for generations to come.”

The Director will develop/oversee annual giving and marketing campaigns, events, and outreach. Responsibilities include identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects to develop individual donor portfolios; establishing processes and structures to manage and monitor significant fundraising and community outreach efforts; and identifying areas for strategic improvements.

The Director will work closely with the Executive Director, program staff, and Board of Directors to implement these goals. They will promote a positive and collaborative work environment that supports creativity and excellence, and helps build long-term financial sustainability for the organization.

We are looking for an experienced candidate who can lead and grow HHLT’s fundraising efforts to support our acquisition, stewardship, and community engagement programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Development

• Develop, implement, and grow HHLT’s effective fundraising plan to meet $1.25-$1.5MM annual philanthropic revenue goals and long-term goals (e.g., establish a planned giving program). Track, analyze, and report on progress.
• Create, direct, and lead all annual development strategies.
• Develop and build relationships with donors, community members, corporate sponsors, partners, grantors, and foundations. Forge personal relationship with every member of the Board of Directors, encouraging them to stretch in their own support of HHLT.
• Engage in prospect research to identify and cultivate a larger pool of prospective donors for unrestricted and project-specific support.  
• Promote an environment that empowers staff and volunteers to participate in the philanthropic process.
• Prepare the Executive Director, colleagues, and board members for cultivation visits, briefings, and donor solicitations.  
• Work with HHLT staff to ensure the integrity of donor records in the database.  
• Work with the Outreach & Events Coordinator and Community Engagement Committee to plan and execute HHLT’s annual fall benefit and other events.
• Oversee the donor database and gift recognition process, establishing protocols and policies. Work with staff to ensure accurate gift acceptance, recording, reporting, and receipt.
• Identify grant opportunities and apply for grants. Manage awarded grants including contracts, expenditures, deliverables, and reporting.

Outreach

• Effectively convey HHLT’s mission and programs and support the creation of written proposals, brochures, reports, letters, and other correspondence.  
• Supervise the Outreach & Events Coordinator.
• Work with the Executive Director, Outreach & Events Coordinator, and the Community Engagement Committee to communicate HHLT’s news and information to the community while building lasting relationships with community leaders.
• Plan and oversee production of key print and digital publications such as the annual report, monthly e-newsletter, quarterly bulletin, website, and social media, and supervise any consulting/contracted writers and graphic designers.
• Guide development of HHLT merchandise to ensure brand consistency, quality, and adherence to nonprofit regulatory guidelines
• Provide consistent communication with community members, partners, and stakeholders, including coordinating with staff and board members on public appearances or accepting speaking engagements.
• Help move HHLT to the forefront of donors’ and prospective donors’ minds for charitable giving and investment and develop outreach strategies that highlight HHLT in the local and national markets.

General

• Help ensure HHLT’s equity principles are integrated into fundraising and outreach efforts.
• Work with the Executive Director and staff to ensure compliance with HHLT policies, Land Trust Alliance National Standards and Practices, and accreditation requirements.
• Attend meetings, conferences, and events of various foundations, corporations, business groups, and nonprofit organizations for professional development, community building, and networking.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises HHLT’s Outreach & Events Coordinator

SALARY RANGE: $80,000 to $98,000

Qualifications for this position can be from professional and/or diverse lived experiences that have developed relevant skill sets. We strongly encourage anyone who feels passionate about this work to apply. HHLT is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging.

 Executive Leadership

• Ability to build and maintain productive, long-term working relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, board members, volunteers, and other constituents.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and to handle deadlines and shifting priorities with good judgment.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 Fundraising Excellence

• Successful fundraising and marketing experience, including grant-writing and grants management, and a proven track record of achieving revenue goals through donor cultivation and major gift solicitation.     

• Commitment to ethical fundraising and handling confidential information with integrity and sensitivity. 

Outreach / Communications

• Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
• Experience writing for e-newsletters, digital and mail campaigns, solicitation and stewardship letters, and grant proposals.  
• Experience in planning and implementing special events.
• Experience with digital fundraising strategies as a means of connecting with community and acquiring new donors

 Additional Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Nonprofit Management, Communications, or Business Administration, or a minimum of five years of relevant nonprofit experience.
• Excellent computer skills including, MS Office and CRM/donor databases (Little Green Light a plus). 
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.
• Highly organized.
• A connection to the Hudson Highlands is a plus.
• Knowledge of/passion for land conservation and environmental issues is a plus.

 LOCATION & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires a valid driver's license and may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.  
• Flexibility to work occasional weekend or evening hours on an as-needed basis.
• Occasional site visits are performed outdoors in conditions that include rough terrain, dense vegetation, inclement weather, and on muddy, uneven, or rocky surfaces. Position may include occasional physical exertion, such as hiking, crouching, stooping, reaching, or other similar activities.

The Hudson Highlands Land Trust affords all qualified applicants equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, a victim of domestic violence status or marital status.

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the other HHLT staff.

A competitive salary will be commensurate with experience and includes an attractive benefits package, including:

• Retirement Plan (403b)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Personal & Public Holidays)
• Training & Development
• Health Care Plan (Medical)