Chief Development Officer

Facility

Nashville Zoo

Closing Date

[jobclosingdate]

Description

ABOUT NASHVILLE ZOO

Nashville Zoo’s mission is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership.
Since opening its doors in 1991, Nashville Zoo has grown from a small, private operation located 30 minutes northwest of Nashville to an AZA-accredited facility that welcomes more than one million visitors each year, while being involved with international conservation and research efforts to save threatened species.

The Zoo moved to its current 188-acre location in 1997 and has developed just under half of its land, which was generously donated to the city by the Croft family under a condition that it had to be used as a ‘nature study area’. City leaders struck a 40-year lease with Nashville Zoo in which the land would be city-owned but operated by the Zoo’s private non-profit organization.

Today, Nashville Zoo is a progressive and dynamic zoological park and with just 90 of 188 acres developed, is the 9th largest zoo in the country by landmass. The Zoo is one of the top tourist attractions in the state and has been named the Best Regional Attraction and Best Day Trip by The Tennessean.

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is a key member of the zoo’s executive leadership team, responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing all fundraising and development activities. The CDO will lead a team of professionals in cultivating relationships with donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners to generate financial support for the zoo’s programs, exhibits, and conservation initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in nonprofit fundraising, a passion for animal welfare and conservation, and the ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising plans.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Create and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to meet the zoo’s financial goals and support its mission.
Identify and cultivate relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies to secure major gifts and grants.
Utilize a variety of fundraising techniques, such as online giving platforms, events, and planned giving programs, to maximize donor engagement and giving.
Donor Cultivation and Stewardship:
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective donors, ensuring personalized and strategic engagement.
Develop and implement stewardship initiatives to recognize and appreciate donors at all giving levels, ensuring ongoing donor satisfaction and loyalty.
Collaborate with programmatic staff to provide donors with meaningful updates and impact reports on how their contributions support the zoo’s initiatives.
Government Relations:
Monitor legislative and regulatory developments at various government levels that may impact the zoo’s mission and programs.
Develop comprehensive advocacy strategies to promote the organization’s interests and objectives within the government sphere.
Build and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and other relevant decision-makers.
Represent Nashville Zoo in meetings, hearings, and public forums to articulate our position on key issues.
Attend government and community events to network with policymakers.

Team Leadership and Management:
Lead and mentor a team of fundraising professionals, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities.
Foster a collaborative and results-oriented work environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and accountability.
Oversee the development and execution of fundraising events, coordinating efforts with other departments and volunteers.
Strategic Planning and Reporting:
Collaborate with the senior management team to develop and implement long-term fundraising and development plans aligned with the zoo’s strategic goals.
Track and analyze fundraising data, generate regular reports, and provide insights and recommendations to inform decision-making and drive fundraising effectiveness.
Stay abreast of emerging trends, best practices, and regulatory requirements in nonprofit fundraising to ensure compliance and optimize fundraising strategies.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, marketing, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising, including a track record of successfully securing major gifts.
Strong understanding of fundraising principles, techniques, and best practices, preferably within the nonprofit sector.
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising plans, including donor acquisition, cultivation, and stewardship strategies.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders, including high-net-worth individuals, corporate sponsors, and community partners.
Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate, mentor, and develop fundraising professionals.
Knowledge of animal welfare, conservation, or environmental issues is highly desirable.
THE OPPORTUNITY

The Nashville Zoo is at an inflection point. The Zoo is certainly no stranger to success in its 25 years of operation. It gained national attention in 2019 and 2020 after receiving the Top Honors in Exhibit Design Award by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear and Tiger Crossroads. Winning top honors in exhibit design two years in a row has taken place only two other times in AZA history.
And, yet, the Nashville Zoo’s best days are still ahead. The Chief Development Officer will be a key partner to the CEO and the Board in crafting fundraising strategy for a unique, world-class 40-acre African Wildlife Safari exhibit. There is simply no other exhibit of this size, scope, or level of animal interactivity present at any Zoo in the world.

KEY COLLEAGUES

President & CEO, Rick Schwartz
Rick Schwartz has been heavily involved in conservation for almost thirty years and is known internationally for his devotion to saving clouded leopards. Since lending his expertise to a group of Nashvillians building a local zoo in 1989, he has been the director and primary architect of Nashville Zoo – building facilities, designing the exhibits, and working extensively with other zoos throughout the country to develop the outstanding collection of species represented at Nashville Zoo.

COMPENSATION

Compensation for the Chief Development Officer includes a competitive base salary commensurate with experience and an excellent package of employee benefits.

TO APPLY

The Nashville Zoo has retained the services of ThinkingAhead Executive Search. Interested applicants should send a resume and statement of interest to Jonathan McIntosh at jmcintosh@thinkingahead.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Jonathan McIntosh, Partner
ThinkingAhead Executive Search
jmcintosh@thinkingahead.com
615-391-2650

The Nashville Zoo is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.

Education and Pre-requisites

Not specified.

Compensation and benefits