Development Director

November 2025 | Remote, US
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The Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy is seeking an entrepreneurial and strategic Development Director to lead individual and major gift fundraising, expanding the philanthropic base that sustains ARC’s nationwide mission to conserve amphibians and reptiles and the ecosystems on which they depend.

About Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy (ARC) is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles and the habitats they depend on. Grounded in a strategic, scientific, and deeply passionate approach, ARC identifies and restores high-priority landscapes and habitats across the United States, partnering with scientists, communities, and agencies to deliver measurable, science-driven conservation outcomes.

Founded in 2007, ARC identifies and works in the most important areas for amphibian and reptile conservation across the nation. In these areas, ARC implements multi-faceted field programs that protect critical species while engaging local partners to ensure long-term sustainability. This place-based model maximizes ARC’s impact not only for amphibians and reptiles, but also for broader biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Under the leadership of Executive Director, Dr. J.J. Apodaca, ARC is experiencing strong growth in scale and impact, often serving as a catalyst to deepen collaborations with federal and state agencies, regional conservation organizations, and research institutions nationwide. Through its targeted conservation programs that restore ecosystems, ARC is working to ensure that amphibians and reptiles survive and thrive for generations to come. Healthy populations of reptiles and amphibians contribute to overall biodiversity and are an important component of resilient ecosystems.

For more information about ARC, please visit arcprotects.org

About Philanthropy at Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy

Philanthropy plays an increasingly vital role in advancing ARC’s mission. Of the organization’s $4 million in annual operating budget, about $3 million is devoted to program activities, primarily funded through competitive government grants and modest foundation funding obtained by ARC’s conservation program team. These grants fuel the on-the-ground work that defines ARC’s impact.

To date, individual philanthropy has represented a smaller but essential share of ARC’s support, providing roughly $1 million in unrestricted funding annually. Much of this comes from a dedicated member of ARC’s Board, complemented by contributions from individuals inspired by the organization’s mission, impact, and scientific leadership.

ARC now stands well positioned to build a broader base of individual and major gift support. Expanding this philanthropic foundation through deeper engagement with existing supporters and the cultivation of new donors will be central to sustaining and scaling ARC’s impact.

About the Position

Reporting to the Executive Director and working in close collaboration with the Board of Directors, the Development Director will lead the design and execution of a bold, integrated fundraising strategy aimed at significantly increasing individual giving and deepening donor engagement.

This role will focus on expanding ARC’s donor base by 50+ prospects in the first 12 – 18 months by identifying and cultivating new prospects outside of the current base with the capacity to give at the five-, six-, and seven-figure levels. The Development Director will work across departments to align fundraising priorities with programmatic, communications, and conservation efforts, ensuring a unified approach to resource development. In partnership with staff and board leadership, the Director will personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, guiding them through the full donor lifecycle from cultivation and solicitation to stewardship and long-term engagement.

This is an opportunity for an experienced and goal-oriented development professional to join a mission-driven conservation organization at a pivotal moment, building relationships and broadening the base of support to help drive ARC’s long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Leadership

• Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy that strengthens ARC’s individual giving program across all levels, with a primary focus on major gifts.
• Build and grow a broader base of annual donors through targeted outreach, campaigns, and digital engagement, creating clear pathways for supporters to deepen their giving over time.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to set annual and long-term philanthropic goals, developing strategies that diversify revenue and increase unrestricted support.
• Establish and oversee systems, metrics, and processes for donor pipeline development, ensuring that cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts are strategic and measurable.

Major and Leadership Gifts

• Identify, cultivate and manage a personal portfolio of prospects and donors capable of making major or leadership-level gifts, including face-to-face cultivation and solicitation.
• Work closely with ARC’s Executive Director and Board members to develop and execute personalized donor strategies.
• Develop compelling cases for support that connect donors to ARC’s mission and conservation priorities, translating scientific work into inspiring philanthropic opportunities.
• Provide high-level donor briefings, proposals, and stewardship reports, ensuring excellence in donor communications and relationship management.

Board and Leadership Partnership

• Work with the Executive Director to identify and recruit new members for the Board.
• Engage and support Board members in their fundraising efforts.
• Provide counsel and tools for Board and staff participation in donor cultivation and solicitation.

Development Operations and Infrastructure

• Strengthen the systems, policies, and tools that support a growing development program, including donor database management, gift processing, and reporting.
• Develop annual fundraising budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics to inform organizational planning.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of professional fundraising experience, with demonstrated track record securing major gifts.
• An entrepreneurial and ambitious mindset to build a successful and sustainable program.
• Proven record of identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors at the six-figure level and above.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate complex conservation science into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience partnering with executive leadership and boards to advance fundraising goals.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with donor management systems and data-informed fundraising.
• A passion for conservation, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The salary range for this position is $130,000+ commensurate with experience. ARC offers a competitive benefits package and fully remote work engagement.

To express interest, please submit your cover letter and resume in confidence below.

Tracy Marshall, Development Guild