Careers

Careers

Open Positions:  Director of Development

General Summary:

The West Virginia Land Trust’s (WVLT’s) Director of Development will join a team of highly motivated conservationists and a Board of Directors committed to accelerating conservation in the Mountain State. The Director will provide leadership, vision, strategy, and coordination for all of WVLT’s private philanthropic activities as it begins to implement a new, ambitious strategic plan.

This critical staff position is responsible for creating and implementing an annual fundraising plan and for developing and overseeing fundraising systems and software. The Director will oversee appropriate research, cultivation, engagement, and stewardship of major individual, corporate, and foundation donors. S/he will engage Board and staff in fundraising, enhancing their capacity to support WVLT’s financial goals and sustainability. The position reports to and supports the Executive Director’s development activities, leads staff support of the Board’s Development Committee, and orchestrates organization-wide participation in fundraising by leading and reinforcing a culture of philanthropy. Being pivotal to WVLT’s success, the Director will be part of the staff Leadership Team.

At present WVLT has one full-time staff position dedicated to fundraising. Success in growing annual giving will allow this team to expand. The Director will rely on part-time support for data entry and gift acknowledgment, and will work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications to coordinate messaging, donor engagement, appeals, and events.

The successful applicant is creative, positive and energetic, strategic, and collaborative. They must be eager to deploy talent and effort to secure financial resources to enable WVLT’s growth in support of the Mountain State’s sustainable future. The successful candidate will take pride in being part of a team that makes a positive difference in our state’s communities and natural landscapes. An experienced professional who thrives on teamwork, thinks big, brings enthusiasm to the work place, and is ready to be a linchpin in the organization’s growth and success will feel at home with WVLT.

Duties and Responsibilities Include:

Donor Management

Program Management

Major Giving

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, Outlook, and Abilities

Work place and compensation: Either WVLT’s office in Charleston or Morgantown will serve as a base, with regularly scheduled time spent in each location.In-person synergies and collaboration with colleagues and Board members are essential for success. A flexible-schedule approach allows for some remote work. Flex-time accommodations are made for work completed outside of a standard work day or week.

A benefits package (retirement, wellness stipend, liberal vacation and sick leave) is included.  Salary range begins at $80,000, and is commensurate with experience.

About West Virginial Land Trust

WVLT works statewide to permanently protect land. More than 50 properties (23,000+ acres) are in the Land Trust’s current portfolio, including 9 publicly accessible preserves to manage and 10 additional parcels that could be developed for public use. A robust “pipeline” of additional prospects assures continued expansion of WVLT’s protected lands. A new strategic plan under development reflects the demand for Land Trust work and is focused on positioning the Land Trust for growth in the coming years.

The organization also works to “lift all boats” in support of a growing conservation community through its engagement with other organizations, communities, government agencies, and educational institutions. WVLT’s outreach efforts through mailings, social media, and events have significantly expanded its community of supporters, and its public visibility, in recent years.

WVLT’s staff of ten is hard-working, mission-driven, and collaborative. The dedicated team brings expertise in source water protection, biodiversity, forestry, ecology, recreation, communications, and outreach. WVLT’s successes have put the organization on a growth path. Coupled with the state’s embrace of its outdoor assets as an engine for economic growth, the needs and opportunities for conservation are abundant.

WVLT provides open and welcoming access to its conserved lands and programs for all people. It also seeks for its staff, Board, and volunteers to reflect the Mountain State’s character and culture.

For more information about our past, present and future, see www.wvlandtrust.org

Application/Hiring Process

Director of Development candidates should email a resume of their professional experience, accompanied by a cover letter explaining their interest in the position and their alignment with WVLT’s priorities. Candidates should attach recent writing samples from a development position (no more than 3 pages) that demonstrate their ability to write clearly, persuasively, and creatively. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The deadline to apply is June 20, 2025.

Please direct application materials to: hr@wvlandtrust.org, with the Subject line “Development Position”.

WVLT strongly encourages applications from people who have a passion for this work and our mission, even if their professional experience does not align perfectly with the broad suite of responsibilities listed.

If you were here right now, you would be:

Managing the Development Program (40%) :

Providing leadership (25%):

Implementing strategies for donor cultivation (25%):

Growing your success, and ours (10%):