Severson Dells Nature Center seeks a Director of Development to support and carry out the mission of Severson Dells Nature Center by providing leadership to advance the mission and strategic plan goals, with a specific emphasis on managing a multi-million dollar capital campaign in partnership with the Executive Director and the Severson Dells board of directors.
This role oversees annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation support, and special campaigns and supervises the Community Engagement Manager. The Director of Development is a key leadership position that builds relationships with donors and partners to ensure long-term support for the center’s programs, initiatives, and sustainability.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT. Working at Severson Dells Nature Center is an opportunity to be a part of an innovative, agile and forward-thinking team that thrives on collaboration, both internally and externally. The staff are a passionate, knowledgeable group that are dedicated to the organizational mission. Severson Dells is a storied organization with deep roots in the Northern Illinois community, serving residents since 1976.

Duties and Responsibilities Include, but are Not Limited to:

  • Fundraising Leadership:
    • Develop and execute a comprehensive development plan, aligning with the organization’s strategic goals and mission.
    • Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, ensuring a robust pipeline of individual, corporate, and foundation supporters.
    • Build and maintain meaningful relationships with current and prospective donors, sponsors, and partners.
    • Collaborate with the Executive Director, Community Engagement Manager and Board of Directors to identify new opportunities for fundraising and donor
      engagement.
  • Marketing and Communications:
    • Supervise the Community Engagement Manager, ensuring alignment of communication, marketing, outreach and fundraising goals.
    • Supervise the development and execution of a strategic marketing plan and budget to increase visibility and support for the nature center
    • Oversee the production of marketing materials, newsletters, press releases and digital content
  • Capital Campaign Management:
    • Help lead the strategy development and implementation of the campaign, working collaboratively with the Executive Director and Capital Campaign Steering Committee to support Severson Dells’ capital project at the old Elliot Golf Course.
    • Develop and implement campaign strategies, timelines, and goals in partnership with the Executive Director, Community Engagement Manager, Board of Directors and Capital Campaign Committee.
    • Manage the capital campaign budget with support from the Administrative Assistant
  • Event Planning and Community Engagement:
    • Support the Community Engagement Manager in planning and executing fundraising and member events.
    • Leverage events to cultivate new donors, strengthen relationships, and highlight Severson Dells Nature Center’s mission and impact.
  • Corporate, Foundation and Government Relations
    • Identify, pursue, and manage corporate sponsorships and foundation and government grants that align with the organization’s priorities.

Qualifications Include, but are Not Limited to:

  • Minimum of 7 years of experience in leading fundraising campaigns, developing associated communications and marketing materials, with demonstrated success in major gift cultivation, annual giving, with at least 2 years in a leadership role of a capital campaign.
  • Strong leadership skills, with experience supervising staff.
  • Experience in grant writing, corporate partnerships, and donor database management.
  • Passion for environmental conservation, education, and the mission of Severson Dells Nature Center.
  • Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Experience supporting the development of diverse and inclusive environments, and demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility
  • Relationship-builder with demonstrated highly collaborative work style who can effectively work with all constituent groups including staff, volunteers,
    visitors, and donors

Preferred Skills and Experience:

  • Familiarity with northern Illinois philanthropic community
  • Experience with NEON One CRM
  • Experience in nature or science-related nonprofit operations and an understanding of issues Severson Dells is trying to address
  • Certified Fund Raising Executive certification or willingness to obtain is desired

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, marketing, communications, or a related field or equivalent professional experience.

Salary Range: $75,000- $85,000, commensurate with experience

To view the full job description and to apply, please visit: Development Director 2025-Severson Dells

TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Ann Wasser at ann@seversondells.org with the email subject: Director of Development. Initial resume review will begin Monday, February 3, 2025.