Associate Director Philanthropy Operations

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Associate Director of Philanthropy Operations provides strategic leadership for philanthropy operations, portfolio management, fundraising analytics, financial coordination, and operational planning. This position oversees systems, processes, reporting, staff, and resources that enable philanthropy teams to achieve fundraising goals, strengthen donor engagement strategies, and support organizational priorities. The Associate Director serves as a key partner to philanthropy leadership, finance staff, and frontline fundraisers to ensure effective management of fundraising operations, data integrity, prospect management, revenue tracking, and organizational performance.

The Associate Director of Philanthropy Operations leads the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of systems, processes, and practices that support fundraising effectiveness and donor engagement. The position oversees philanthropy operations functions, including prospect and portfolio management, reporting and analytics, gift administration coordination, stewardship support, and operational planning.

The Associate Director serves as a strategic partner to philanthropy leadership by developing and implementing operational plans, establishing performance metrics, managing budgets, monitoring fundraising outcomes, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The role provides leadership for portfolio and prospect management processes, including donor strategy sessions, portfolio reviews, pipeline development, and discovery efforts designed to advance fundraising goals.

This position supports organizational decision-making through analysis of fundraising performance, development of reports and dashboards, and tracking of key performance indicators. The Associate Director also collaborates closely with Finance to support budgeting, revenue forecasting, expenditure monitoring, and resource allocation. The role supervises staff, supports professional development, leads operational change initiatives, and fosters collaboration across departments and regions.

The Associate Director will work towards meeting the strategic priorities of the program by developing and coordinating plans and related tactics and overseeing day-to-day tasks. They will manage guidelines and analyze information to achieve results, improve workflow, and solve problems. They reinforce consistency in the organization's policies and procedures, and provide support related to their relevant field(s). They will provide advice, recommendations, and broad training related to the functional area and maintain expert knowledge of the systems and resources utilized by the team; applies knowledge to managing organization support and planning communications related to the resources. They will manage documentation, initiate complex processes, and serve as key team member for the enhancement of systems and tools used by the team.

The Associate Director works in close cooperation with any or all of the following: Conservancy staff, donors, Trustees, vendors, public agencies, financial institutions, and legal and accounting professionals. They will lead diverse activities, analyze situations, evaluate alternatives, project outcomes, and implement solutions to improve effectiveness. The work environment may involve infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain

This role is specifically aligned to supporting our Pennsylvania/Delaware Business Unit. Some interaction and support will be aligned to teams outside of Pennsylvania and Delaware, across our Philanthropy networks broadly at TNC.

We’re Looking for You:

Are you looking for work you can believe in? At The Nature Conservancy, you'll join a team dedicated to advancing conservation outcomes through meaningful, mission-driven work.

We're seeking an experienced leader who excels at building high-performing teams and strengthening the systems, processes, and insights that support fundraising success. The ideal candidate brings expertise in philanthropy operations, data-informed decision making, and managing complex projects and priorities. They are a collaborative partner who can build strong relationships across teams, embrace evolving technology, and drive continuous improvement.

This is an exciting opportunity to advance TNC's mission by working with a talented team and helping secure the philanthropic resources needed to achieve lasting conservation impact.

What You’ll Bring:

• •Bachelor’s degree and 6 years related experience or equivalent combination.
• •Experience leading and implementing multiple projects.
• •Experience negotiating complex agreements.
• •Experience with current and evolving technology in relevant field.
• •Experience working with teams across the organization.
• •Experience, coursework, or other training in principles and practices of relevant field.
• •Supervisory experience including setting objectives and managing performance, including conflict resolution.

Desired Qualifications:

• •Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• •Ability to work in partnership with others in a collaborative or advisory role.
• •Demonstrated ability to conceive and write creatively for various audiences.
• •Experience developing, managing, and implementing goals, plans, and complex processes.
• •Expert in current and evolving technology related to field of experience.
• •Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in relevant discipline, preferably in a non-profit environment .
• •Proficient in interpreting guidelines and manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting data .
• •Successful experience managing and implementing strategic program goals.
• •Superior planning and problem-solving skills.
• •Understanding of accounting practices.
• •Strong knowledge of fundraising operations, philanthropy best practices, and prospect management principles.
• •Advanced analytical, financial management, and reporting skills.
• •Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and communicate findings effectively.
• •Strong project management and organizational skills.
• •Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• •Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across teams and functions.
• •Experience leading process improvement and change management initiatives.
• •High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and commitment to data integrity.
• •Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• •Proficiency with fundraising CRM platforms, Microsoft Office applications, and reporting tools.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $82,790 - $124,270 annually. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are :

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor .

One goal is t