Senior Director of Annual Giving and Development Operations at Woodwell Climate Research Center Inc – Falmouth, Massachusetts

Mission:

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Summary/Objective:

Join Woodwell’s Development department as our Senior Director of Annual Giving & Development Operations to oversee Woodwell Climate’s Annual Giving, Donor Communications & Stewardship and Development Operations. In this role, you will be responsible for crafting, managing and executing the Center’s annual giving program and coordinating donor cultivation and stewardship initiatives to inspire greater unrestricted support for the Center. Collaborate directly with the Vice President of Philanthropy, playing a vital role in growing the philanthropic revenue for the Center and ensuring the efficient and effective operations of the Development team.

Responsibilities include but not limited:

• Work with the VP of Philanthropy to establish long-term fundraising goals and objectives

  Develop and implement a comprehensive annual giving strategy focused on donor acquisition, retention, and upgrade, utilizing direct mail and digital channels.

  Manage the Climate Champion (monthly sustaining donors) program, creating and implementing opportunities for annual participation

  Manage the leadership donor giving societies (Friends of Woodwell Center, Climate Guardians, and President’s Council), developing and guiding strategy to acquire, retain, and upgrade annual fund donors across programs

  Implement a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program for annual giving donor retention and increased giving

• Collaborate with the VP of Philanthropy and Major Gifts staff in an ongoing evaluation of annual giving donors for identification of major gift prospects and coordinate with portfolio managers to hand off prospects

  Partner with Marketing and Communications colleagues to create marketing strategies, multi-channel solicitations, and other collateral for the annual giving program

  Collaborate with Communications colleagues to maintain giving-related web content; develop visually appealing solicitation and stewardship pieces for print and digital media; and identify and develop impact-focused stories for inclusion in external communications

  Manage the Development Operations team providing oversight for strategic planning; establishing and measuring annual plans, goals, and performance metrics; ensuring accuracy, clarity, privacy, integration, and timeliness of data and sensitive information; efficiency of reporting and performance metrics; and effectiveness of technology supporting the operations and ensuring compliance with donor restrictions and IRS standards; Review, monitor, and approve contracts and expense requests for software, collateral, and third-party services related to the fulfillment of the Development team’s goals.

  Provide regular reports regarding Development program activities and progress to the VP of Philanthropy, President, Board of Directors, and others as appropriate

  Provide professional customer service to donors, volunteers, staff, and other contacts

  Provide project management support to other Woodwell campaigns as needed

  Support the development and vibrancy of relationships with Woodwell’s strategic partners

Must have the Following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Successful track record of directing an organization's fundraising operations to support the overall organizational development and revenue objectives

  Experience using technology to manage and monitor donor information and produce data-driven measurement and reporting of the progress of fundraising goals such as Raiser’s Edge

  Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function

  Demonstrated appreciation for all sectors of the donor giving cycle and how annual giving supports and collaborates with other giving sectors of major gifts, planned giving and foundation relations and partnerships

  Outstanding written communication skills for both print and digital media.

  Demonstrated working knowledge of digital communication and development marketing modalities

  Collaborative team-oriented work style.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of relevant managerial experience

  10 years of relevant experience

  Bachelor’s degree

Work Environment:

The functions of this role are conducted indoors

Hours of Work:

• This role is paid on a salary basis.

  Typically, full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek. However, this is a salaried position. Therefore, the individual is expected to work as required to complete the duties of the position.

Application review will ongoing

Desired Start Date: May/June 2026

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary range of $120,000 - $160,000 dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.

Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts or remote.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position and curriculum vitae as a single PDF to our career’s portal.

Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.

Woodwell Climate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.