Development Officer or Senior Development Officer

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) is hiring a new Development Officer or Sr. Development Officer in our Atlanta, GA. or Birmingham, AL. offices. It is an exciting time to join SELC’s development team, which is currently going through a strategic refresh and expansion to support the organization’s long-term goals. The new Development Officer will steward and grow a robust donor portfolio with an eye toward new multi-year gifts. This individual will need to be an adept collaborator, communicator, and relationship-builder who can maintain flexibility during our continued growth. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation.

This is a full-time, exempt position. SELC currently has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work at home up to two days a week. This is a position with region-wide focus and responsibility that requires occasional, well-planned travel. All employees must reside in our region. SELC will provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 120 current and prospective donors. Develop and execute personalized strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward each managed prospect.  This includes skillful use of telephone, email, zoom, and other electronic communication, but is primarily oriented toward in-person, face-to-face contact.
• Meet or exceed dollar and visit goals, with a focus on new, increased, and multi-year gifts.
• Build and mobilize networks of volunteers and donors to help identify new prospects and gain entrée.
• Plan and execute regional events in partnership with the Donor Relations team.
• Develop and execute regional or demographic-focused strategies to increase fundraising revenue, in partnership with development colleagues and state-based attorneys.
• Utilize and update the donor database by recording activities, call reports, contacts, and strategies in an on-going basis.
• Travel throughout the South and, possibly, to key national markets, to qualify, cultivate and solicit prospects.
• In addition, for a Senior Development Officer, supervise one or two development officers, when the Development team has reached the appropriate growth point (portfolio will be reduced accordingly).

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Senior Development Officer: Minimum seven years of fundraising experience with a proven track record of soliciting, negotiating, and closing six-figure gifts. Ideally, previous experience managing other fundraisers.
• Development Officer: Minimum five years of fundraising or related experience, preferably with experience soliciting and closing gifts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated and capable of working proactively and independently.
• Must be detail-oriented, organized, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to travel frequently including overnight to meet with donors and collaborate with teammates.
• Occasional weekend and evening work may be required for donor and volunteer events.
• A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. You engage in ongoing learning and are eager to contribute to our organizational efforts in this area.
• In addition, for a Senior Development Officer: A fluent understanding of asset types, gift structures, tax incentives, and complex gifts.

Desired Qualifications:

• Understanding of environmental issues, climate change, and/or environmental justice issues facing the South.

About SELC:

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC.

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.

Compensation & Benefits:

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. The starting salary range for a Development Officer is $105,000, commensurate with experience. The starting salary for a Senior Development Officer is $123,000, commensurate with experience. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page.

SELC is a PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) eligible employer.

SELC will also provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address.

To Apply:

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is Friday 11/8/2024. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.