Job Opportunity: Director of Development at CPC

[Shannon Fowler]

CPC is hiring a full-time Director of Development position. Please see below for the full job description and application instructions. Please forward to anyone in your networks that you think may be interested!

 

ABOUT CPC

The CPC is a unique network of institutional partners that unites leading plant conservation professionals from botanical gardens & arboreta and other plant- and conservation-focused organizations to work collaboratively to save imperiled plants throughout their native ranges in the United States and Canada.

CPC is based at the Beckman Center for Conservation Research, located on the grounds of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, California, a wildlife and plant conservation center operated by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (a CPC Conservation Partner). CPC has an annual operating budget of over $1.7M and works in close collaboration with a network of more than 80 conservation partners.

CPC’s partner institutions maintain the CPC National Collection of Endangered Plants, one of the world’s foremost wild-plant conservation collections. By working to collect and manage living seeds, plants, and tissue taken from imperiled plants, CPC helps secure these species and advances research to further preserve and protect them for future generations. CPC’s annual National Meeting, its website and Rare Plant Academy, publications, and other resources serve to position the organization as a leading voice in the global practice of conservation of plants.

 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Center for Plant Conservation (CPC) seeks a dynamic and highly collaborative fundraising leader with a deep commitment to plant conservation to develop and lead a comprehensive fundraising program that supports the organization’s mission and strategic objectives.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced advancement professional with demonstrated success in major gifts and foundation relations, and with experience building fundraising infrastructure from the ground up. As CPC transitions to a diversified funding model, the Director of Development (DoD) will play a pivotal role in driving sustainable philanthropic revenue growth.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Development will lead efforts across foundation relations, individual major gifts, annual giving, donor engagement and stewardship, and, as appropriate, corporate partnerships. Collaborating with colleagues across the organization, the DoD will leverage existing relationships and identify new opportunities to secure philanthropic support.

As CPC shifts to a more philanthropy-focused funding model, the DoD will cultivate a culture of philanthropy internally—among both staff and the Board of Directors. This role will partner closely with the Chief Executive Officer to engage staff and board members in fundraising, provide coaching, and strengthen CPC’s capacity for donor relationship-building.

This is a remote position with travel expected for staff coordination and donor engagement.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

Fundraising Strategy & Operations

• Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy inclusive of diverse revenue streams (foundations, individuals, corporations).
• Establish and track measurable revenue goals to ensure long-term sustainability and growth.
• Collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer to align fundraising priorities with CPC’s strategic plan.
• Coordinate with the Operations team on revenue forecasting, monthly reconciliation, and donor reporting.
• Build and maintain internal systems to ensure transparency, data integration, and accountability.

 Foundation & Corporate Relations

• Identify and cultivate prospective foundation and corporate funders, with a focus on major national and international opportunities.
• Design cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for key funders in collaboration with staff and leadership.
• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity institutional donors and oversee the full grants lifecycle—from proposal development to post-award reporting.

Individual Major Gifts

• Identify and prioritize major gift prospects, leveraging internal networks and CPC’s Board and staff.
• Partner with leadership to manage a portfolio of top individual donors and prospects.
• Provide strategic guidance and support to staff and board members involved in major donor cultivation and solicitation.

Annual Giving

• Design and oversee a segmented annual giving program aimed at increasing donor retention and engagement.

Donor Communications

• Develop and implement a donor communications strategy that clearly demonstrates the impact of CPC’s work.
• Collaborate with staff to create compelling case statements and ensure consistent messaging across fundraising efforts.

Board Engagement

• Work with the Chief Executive Officer to oversee fundraising-related activities of the Board, including personalized engagement plans and development committee coordination.
• Provide tools, training, and support to enhance Board members’ effectiveness in fundraising.

*Note: This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and may evolve based on organizational needs.*

 

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree and at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a strong focus on individual and institutional giving.
• Proven success in securing major gifts and grants, with experience in moves management and donor cultivation strategy.
• Track record of successful grant proposals to national or international foundations.
• Collaborative and creative approach to engaging stakeholders—including scientific staff—in development planning and donor engagement.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities with flexibility and professionalism.
• Commitment to CPC’s values, including diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to travel independently to meetings and donor events.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats.
• Must be able to work full-time, including occasional extended hours for travel or evening events.
• Must be able to read, analyze data, view digital screens, and adjust focus as needed for detailed tasks.

 

COMPENSATION

A competitive compensation package, including a comprehensive benefits package, will be offered based on experience. The expected annual salary range for this position is $90,000 to $110,000 per year. This is a full time, exempt position.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing your qualifications matching the position criteria. Completed applications can be sent to HR@saveplants.org.

CPC is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. CPC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.

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