Description
Position Title: Director of Development
Supervisor: Executive Director
Status: Salary, Full Time, Exempt
Start Date: April 2026
Office Location: CDTC maintains offices in Helena, MT, Golden, CO and Santa Fe, NM. CDTC staff work out of 3 regionally based offices. CDTC allows for a hybrid work at home-office work with regular “in office hours” to conduct and support regular business operations.
The mission of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) is to complete, protect, and elevate the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and inspire a diverse community to steward the trail and its connected landscapes.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Development is responsible for the strategic planning, managing, and implementing activities that increase, diversify, and sustain philanthropic support for CDTC. The person in this role builds strategic priorities and partnerships that align with and drive the organization towards the goals outlined in the 2025 Strategic Vision. This is accomplished by managing a highly effective and high-functioning two-person development team and the team’s operations, including the identification and cultivation of relationships with individual, institutional, and corporate partners, and they collaborate with the communications team to implement this strategy.
The Director of Development drives strategy and conceptualization for annual fund campaigns, major gifts, planned giving and endowment growth, and long-term foundation and corporate partner development. They support the continual growth of development team portfolios and support programmatic needs and assessments across all CDTC programs. They work closely with the Executive Director and the entire senior leadership team in enhancing current programming, developing new initiatives, and creating opportunities for growth for all team members. They support CDTC’s Board of Directors' financial accountability through regular reporting that allows CDTC to adapt to a highly dynamic philanthropic environment. They also facilitate the Development and Communications Committee of the CDTC Board of Directors.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Development Strategy & Senior Leadership Responsibilities
Work with the Executive Director in defining multi-year strategic priorities that help drive CDTC’s fundraising efforts
Create an annual Development Plan aligned with strategic priorities that provide guidance for the Development team
Collaborate and meet regularly with the senior leadership team on fiscal management, organization growth and other organization-wide priorities
Oversee the CDTC Board of Directors Development and Communications Committee
Review and create necessary development policies that guide CDTC’s fundraising work and ensure work is done ethically, equitably, and with sound governance
Maintain high degree of knowledge and expertise on best practices in philanthropy, adapting fundraising strategies as necessary
Collaborate with the Executive Director and Director of Operations in developing CDTC’s annual income budget
Manage program-specific expense budget annually
Fundraising & Communications Activities
Direct supervision of two person development team and supports development operations components of the CDTC Office Manager
Work collaboratively with team members to define objectives and workplans that align with the strategic priorities of the organization
Directly manage CDTC’s major giving program (portfolio of 75-80 individuals) and leverage systems to move qualified donors through the fundraising cycle
Establish “donor journeys” for individuals’ different points of entry into the organization
Grow the organization’s long-term financial resources and Endowments
Provide oversight of CDTC’s corporate giving program and strategic partnerships/cohorts to strengthen CDTC’s effectiveness
Provide oversight on grant proposals/budgets and strategies for cultivating institutional partners; with the CDTC Executive Director, holds relationships with top-tier foundation partners
Oversee the administration and enhancement of NeonOne CRM database; improve back-end workflows and processes to keep donors engaged and inspired by CDTC’s work
Monitor CDTC’s income/expense ratio as it relates to the Development Plan and make adaptations as necessary
Develop, implement, attend and participate in Outreach, Fundraising and other special events across the Trail with a focus on major donor cultivation, engagement of internal and external CDTC communities and raising awareness for CDTC Mission and Programs.
Promote the Organization
Foster an understanding of philanthropy within the organization’s staff and Board of Directors
Collaborate with the Director of Communications to develop comprehensive communication strategies that align with the strategic priorities of the organization, and that continue to strengthen CDTC’s audience and base of support
Leverage strategic partnerships to strengthen CDTC’s visibility and level of trust with the public
Build relationships with community stakeholders, donors, corporate partners, institutional funders and more to advance the mission and fundraising goals of the organization
Qualifications:
A minimum of 7 years of experience in relationship management, including at least 5 years working in development/fundraising work for a non-profit organization and 3 years in a leadership role
Four-year degree in Development, Marketing, Communication, Public Affairs, or other related education
Required Skills:
Experience with major gifts fundraising including identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding institutional and individual major donors
Strong creative and critical thinking skills and experience developing the growth strategy for a business or organization
Experience managing a team and working collaboratively across departments to achieve goals
Proficiency in the use of NeonOne CRM Database (or other similar CRM), Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Monday.com, Dropbox, and wealth screening software
Strong commitment to conducting work with ethical behavior and ensuring personal behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization
Excellent relationship building skills and the ability to maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of CDTC
Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques
A natural collaborator and the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness
Leadership skills and the confidence to assess situations to determine urgency and risks, make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interest of the organization, and positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization
A commitment to support Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts of CDTC.
Preferred Skills
The interest, willingness and/or experience with the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and issues facing the Rocky Mountain West region
The desire to work with one of the Nation’s premier long-distance Trails
The interest in supporting shared stewardship efforts that highlight community-led conservation of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Interest in Outdoor Recreation and ensuring access to our Nation’s Public lands
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential or other fundraising or nonprofit leadership certifications from the Association of Fundraising Professionals desirable.
Experience with or willing to lead development efforts consistent with community-centric fundraising principles and trust based philanthropy practices.
This position description summarizes the main duties and skills required and preferred to perform the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out those duties.
SUPERVISION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The Director of Development is supervised by the Executive Director. The Director of Development will supervise all development staff members, including the Grant Writing Manager and Development Coordinator. The Development Director will work closely with the CDTC Senior team, and collaborate with Communications and Trail Programs teams
It is preferred that the Director of Development will work hybrid out of one of CDTC’s Offices located in Golden, CO, Santa Fe, NM or Helena, MT. Remote work may be considered with the expectation of regular/weekly in-office presence and supporting development functions in person. This may include travel across the CDT, across the country to meet with major donors and attend OutdoorFest, Outdoor Retailer Marketing events (if applicable) and at least in year one, attend CDTC signature events including CDT Trai Days in Silver City, NM, and other events as they are developed across the Continental Divide.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is performed both indoors, in a busy, collaborative office space, and outdoors in adverse weather and/or high elevation. Work may include travel in a rental or CDTC owned vehicle. As such, the individual must have a valid driver’s license. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. CDTC is an equal opportunity employer. All individuals are encouraged to apply.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Starting annual salary of $80,000.00 - $90,000.00, depending on experience. CDTC provides a benefits package including $450 per month towards a company-sponsored health insurance, $50 monthly cell phone reimbursement, $75 monthly 403(b) retirement plan contributions, and a starting annual paid time off package of 29 days in addition to 14-16 paid holidays a year.
EOE STATEMENT
The CDTC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or other protected status. For information about the CDTC, please visit our website at www.cdtcoalition.org.
