Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships

Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is a nationally recognized, independent center for ecological and ecosystem research. We study complex socio-ecological systems to provide society with solutions to vexing problems.

Over the last decade, we have diversified our funding base, expanding private philanthropic support from 5% to 35% of our income. In a rapidly changing funding environment, we need to accelerate this diversification and build new, strategic partnerships to ensure we have the resources for innovation and high impact.

Join us in the newly-created position of Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, to help us build and amplify strong, long-term relationships with new and existing donors, government agencies and legislators, and accelerate the momentum of our fundraising program to find new supporters nationwide for our high-impact science.

The Senior Director will grow, diversify, and scale strategic partnerships for private fundraising and government affairs. This person will be an integral member of the Leadership team, and work directly with the President and the Director of Development. They will also work in partnership with a four-person Development team, a four-person Communications team, 14 core scientists, and an engaged and active Board of Trustees, to help achieve the Institution’s ambitious goals.

The Senior Director will ideally initially be hybrid, spending significant time at the Institute to meet and form partnerships with staff is essential. In the long-term, a base of Millbrook, New York City, or Boston would be preferable with frequent visits to our HQ in Millbrook, NY (90 miles north of New York City) expected.

The Senior Director’s responsibilities will include:

Organizational Growth and Strategic Development

● Supporting the core scientists to identify convergent areas of research that can be funded by larger, multi-project funding.

● As part of the management leadership team with core scientists, implement Cary’s strategic vision and refine Cary’s new 2024-2030 Strategic Plan and strategies to ensure that they align with a rapidly changing funding landscape. This will include creating a framework of fundraising plans, initiatives, budgets, and investment opportunities to support the Strategic Plan.

● Strengthen Cary’s internal capacity to grow flexible funds to support our scientific endeavor.

● Develop strategies and supporting materials, including compelling gift opportunities and stories around complex scientific issues, to expand the base of financial support.

● Provide input into current and future marketing and branding strategies.

● Represent the Institute in meetings serving as a spokesperson as needed.

● Be a partner to the President in other strategic and organizational projects as directed. Philanthropy and Campaign Development

● Develop engagement plans to build donor pools in New York City, the East Coast, northern California, and Florida. Travel will be an important part of the job, starting out at 20% of the time but increasing as the portfolio grows.

● Manage a portfolio of 25-50 donors capable of making major (>$25,000) and principal gifts ($1,000,000+) and beyond.

● Collaborate on the strategic direction of the institutional giving effort, including managing a portfolio of foundation and corporate prospects (15-25) capable of making 7+ figure gifts.

● Develop and execute national engagement strategies to strengthen existing donor relationships and cultivate new partnerships to drive exponential private revenue growth.

● Partner with the Trusteeship and Development committees of the Board of Trustees to cultivate new Board members and donors at a national level.

● Structure and implement a future campaign, in partnership with the President and Development team, focused on science innovation and the impact of our science. This position joins our team three years after we concluded a capital campaign that exceeded our goals, raising $7.2M to support the $14M reinvention of our headquarters, the Tozer Ecosystem Science Building.

Government Affairs

● Serve as a spokesperson for Cary Institute in community engagement, public policy, and relationship building with officials at the local, state and national level.

● Manage and maintain strong and effective relationships with legislative staff and external partners on federal policy issues. Initiate strategy development and coordination with colleagues to identify, track, and respond to federal policy developments as they relate to science.

● Develop and implement a strategy for financing of major capital projects on the Cary campus, specifically identifying opportunities at the state and local levels.

Job requirements:

We seek a senior leader who can help us build and amplify strong, long-term relationships with our donors and find new supporters nationwide. Requirements include:

● Senior leader with a minimum of 20 years of organizational leadership including experience in strategic plan development and implementation, translating complex scientific issues for donors, and representing their institution to donors, government officials, and other institutions.

● At least 10 year’s experience in fundraising, in particular working with trustees and high-net-worth individuals, either as a development professional, or in a programmatic position of senior leadership.

● Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, a professional demeanor, an eye for detail, and the ability to oversee and track multiple tasks simultaneously.

● A track record of demonstrated success in working with other team members to secure six- and seven-figure gifts.

● Experience in donor acquisition strategies and prospect research.

● Exceptional communication skills, with ability to express complex funding needs in simple, clear language, both in person and in writing. Ability to translate and align strategic goals and scientific research with the interests of individual donors.

● Prior experience fundraising for an environmental, scientific, academic, or research-based institution strongly preferred.

● Ability to work independently (remotely) and as part of a team.

● Proficiency with programs such as: Microsoft Office and Google Suite, donor research tools (iWave); and constituent record management databases (NEON).

● Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s desirable..

Cary Institute values kindness, and collaborative approaches, that lead to greater success and a better working environment. Candidates must possess a collegial attitude and a sense of humor. The Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships will report to the President, working alongside the Director of Development, and have dedicated part-time support from a Development Assistant who works at Cary Institute’s headquarters.

This is a salaried, exempt, benefitted, full-time position. Salary range is $135,000-$175,000. The Institute is based in Millbrook but the position will ideally be co-located in a northeastern metropolitan market, preferably Boston or New York. An ability to travel to Millbrook and spend time at the Institute is important to developing strong relationships with staff and scientists. Flexibility to work some evenings or weekends required. Following our HR hiring protocols, a final offer will be contingent on a satisfactory background check.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. This position is open until filled.

Include a cover letter, resume and the names and contact information of three professional references in one document.

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Institute to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, familial status, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information or any other protected class.