Director of Development

North Carolina Coastal Land Trust

Director of Development Title: Director of Development

Status: Full Time, Exempt (40 hours/week)

Reports to: Executive Director

Supervises: Development and Communications

Location: Wilmington, Eastern NC, or NC Triangle

About North Carolina Coastal Land Trust

The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust is a 501(c)3 nationally accredited regional land trust headquartered in Wilmington, NC that serves the 31 county North Carolina coastal plain. The Coastal Land Trust has permanently protected more than 91,000 acres since its founding in 1992 with over 130 easements and 50 fee title preserves, establishing itself as a leading land trust in NC and nationwide. The Coastal Land Trust is a non-partisan and non-adversarial conservation organization. (www.CoastalLandTrust.org)

Recent high visibility projects include the purchase and protection of the South End of Topsail Beach, a commitment to purchase the 60-acre Flossie Bryan tract in New Hanover County and associated future Center for Conservation, and planned development of a 65-acre nature park in collaboration with Pitt County and Greenville, NC.

The Opportunity

The Coastal Land Trust seeks an experienced and strategic Director of Development to lead the organization’s fundraising program and support its continued growth.

This senior leadership role oversees a comprehensive development program to meet annual fundraising goals. The Director will lead major gifts, annual giving, foundation partnerships, and campaign strategy while strengthening the systems and relationships that sustain long-term conservation work.

The successful candidate will be a relationship-driven fundraiser with a demonstrated ability to secure six-figure gifts, cultivate meaningful donor partnerships, and guide sophisticated fundraising strategies. The Director will help position the organization for future capital and comprehensive campaigns that support major conservation initiatives. While the role is primarily focused on fundraising, the Director will provide strategic oversight of communications and marketing, ensuring that messaging and storytelling effectively support philanthropic engagement.

As part of the leadership team, the Director of Development will work closely with the Executive Director, Board and staff to build a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Leadership

• Lead and execute a comprehensive development strategy that supports annual fundraising goals.
• Build and manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects capable of making major gifts.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to strengthen donor relationships and fundraising engagement.
• Identify new philanthropic opportunities and expand the organization’s funding base.
• Oversee foundation and grant strategy including prospect research, proposal development, and reporting.

Campaign Strategy

• Provide strategic leadership for major fundraising campaigns, including campaign planning, prospect development, and volunteer engagement.
• Help design and execute future capital or comprehensive campaigns that advance the organization’s conservation priorities.
• Coordinate with consultants and campaign volunteers as needed.

Donor Engagement and Programs

• Oversee the organization’s annual giving and membership programs.
• Lead donor cultivation events and stewardship strategies.
• Expand planned giving and corporate partnership initiatives.

Communications Strategy

• Provide strategic oversight of communications and marketing to ensure alignment with fundraising priorities.
• Guide messaging and storytelling that inspire philanthropic investment in conservation.
• Supervise communications and community engagement.
• Coordinate with consultants and volunteers as needed.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the organization’s leadership team.
• Partner with program staff to translate conservation priorities into compelling funding opportunities.
• Support board members in their fundraising roles and strengthen the organization’s culture of philanthropy.
• Assess the staffing needs and annual budgeting for development and communications and build out the team as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 7–10+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts.
• Demonstrated success in closing major gifts and grants.
• Experience managing or contributing to large annual fundraising programs.
• Experience participating in or helping lead a major fundraising campaign.
• Strong relationship-building and donor stewardship skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Passion for land conservation and community-based nonprofit work.

Salary

$85,000–$110,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Disability and life insurance
• Generous paid holidays
• Vacation leave
• Family and medical leave
• Parental leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness benefits and staff outings

To Apply

Please attach a resume and a separate cover letter and email both to jobs@coastallandtrust.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with prioritization given to applications by June 1, 2026.

Coastal Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected status.