WE’RE HIRING!
IHT seeks Development Director

Island Heritage Trust | Position Description

Reports to: Executive Director

Supervises: Communications & Development Associate (shared supervision with Business & Operations Manager)

Employment: Full-time, year-round

Location: Deer Isle–Stonington, Maine; primarily in person

Salary Range: $65,000–$75,000, depending on qualifications

Position Summary

Island Heritage Trust (IHT) seeks a collaborative, motivated Development Director to provide strategic leadership and serve as IHT’s primary frontline fundraising professional in support of land conservation, public access, environmental education, and long-term stewardship of the Deer Isle area.

This is a highly relationship-oriented role. The Development Director is expected to spend significant time meeting with current and prospective donors, developing meaningful relationships, identifying opportunities for philanthropic investment, and personally asking for financial support. Working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and colleagues, the Director develops and implements strategies for annual giving, major gifts, institutional support, planned giving, and special campaigns.

This is an opportunity for a fundraising professional ready to assume greater strategic and frontline responsibility and grow as a nonprofit leader. The successful candidate will bring demonstrated fundraising ability, initiative, sound judgment, strong relationship-building skills, and enthusiasm for IHT’s mission.

The Development Director reports to the Executive Director and is the primary supervisor of the Communications & Development Associate, shared with the Business & Operations Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Leadership

  • Develop and implement annual and multiyear fundraising plans in collaboration with the Executive Director, including goals, priorities, timelines, and revenue projections.
  • Coordinate annual giving, major gifts, foundation and institutional support (grants), planned giving, and special fundraising initiatives.
  • Monitor fundraising progress, analyze results, and recommend adjustments to improve effectiveness.
  • Work with the Executive Director and Board to identify opportunities for organizational growth and long-term financial sustainability.
  • Help lead capital and special campaign planning and implementation, including donor engagement, solicitation strategies, and campaign reporting.

Donor Relations and Major Gifts

  • Manage an active portfolio of donors and prospects, regularly conducting personal meetings, cultivation visits, solicitations, and stewardship activities.
  • Personally solicit philanthropic gifts, including major gifts, and develop individualized strategies to move prospective donors toward meaningful commitments.
  • Identify and qualify new prospects, build relationships, and develop opportunities for increased giving.
  • Partner with the Executive Director and trustees on significant donor relationships and solicitations.
  • Maintain a consistent schedule of donor outreach and meetings, tracking progress and next steps in IHT’s donor database; develop thoughtful stewardship strategies that strengthen donor retention and long-term engagement.

Institutional Giving

  • Identify foundation, corporate, and other institutional funding opportunities aligned with IHT’s priorities.
  • Develop and coordinate grant proposals, budgets, reports, and supporting materials in collaboration with program and administrative staff.
  • Maintain relationships with institutional funders and ensure timely, accurate reporting.

Development Operations and Communications

  • Provide strategic direction for donor communications, fundraising appeals, and development-related publications and digital outreach.
  • Oversee effective use of the donor database, including accurate records, prospect tracking, donor segmentation, reporting, and fundraising analysis.
  • Collaborate with the Business & Operations Manager to ensure appropriate gift processing, reconciliation, and financial reporting.
  • Plan and coordinate donor cultivation and stewardship events with support from colleagues and volunteers.
  • Identify practical improvements to fundraising systems and workflows.

Board Engagement and Team Leadership

  • Support the Board of Trustees and its development-related committees in fundraising and donor engagement.
  • Prepare fundraising reports and updates for the Executive Director and Board.
  • Share supervision of the Communications & Development Associate with the Business & Operations Manager, including coordinated work planning, delegation, coaching, performance feedback, and professional development.
  • Direct the Associate’s fundraising and communications assignments while collaborating with the Business & Operations Manager to establish clear priorities and balance workloads.
  • Lead and participate jointly in performance evaluations and decisions concerning the Associate’s responsibilities.
  • Contribute to a collaborative organizational culture that values initiative, accountability, learning, and mutual respect.

Qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, philanthropy, or a closely related field; approximately 3–5 years of relevant experience is preferred, but equivalent experience and demonstrated potential will be considered.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build authentic relationships with donors, volunteers, colleagues, and community partners.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate organizational impact compellingly.
  • Experience with individual giving, fundraising appeals, grant development, or major-gift cultivation; experience across every fundraising discipline is not required.
  • Demonstrated comfort initiating donor conversations, discussing philanthropic support, and making direct fundraising solicitations, or clear readiness to develop these skills.
  • Strong organizational, planning, and project-management abilities.
  • Comfort working with donor databases, spreadsheets, and fundraising information; willingness to develop analytical and forecasting skills.
  • Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and collaborate across a small team.
  • Interest in conservation, environmental stewardship, and the communities of coastal Maine.
  • Commitment to professional growth and increasing leadership responsibility.

Additional Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is welcome. Prior experience directing a capital campaign or supervising staff is not required.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary range is $65,000–$75,000, depending on qualifications. IHT offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, a health benefit, retirement contributions, and opportunities for professional development.

Equal Opportunity

Island Heritage Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Candidates who meet many, but not all, of the listed qualifications are encouraged to apply.

 

Submit a cover letter, resume, and three references with contact information in one document (PDF) for immediate consideration.
Applications can be submitted by email, or by mail to contact information below. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

For questions, or more information contact: Julia Zell, Executive Director Island Heritage Trust
PO Box 42, Deer Isle, ME 04627

jzell@islandheritagetrust.org

207.348.2455

The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.