Leadership Giving Advisor

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Leadership Giving Advisor Position For 30 years, the Nature Trust has been dedicated to protec8ng Nova Sco8a’s most ecologically important wild places across the province. We work with private landowners to conserve lands that represent our best hopes of nurturing biodiversity, protec8ng ecosystems with the most effec8ve natural services to keep our waters and environment clean, and keeping our incredible shorelines intact and our old forests standing tall. We are a dedicated and talented staff team with a network of passionate volunteers and visionary donors and community partners who together have protected more than 30,000 acres of incredible lands from 8p to 8p of Nova Sco8a. We’re making a difference for nature, and you can too. As a not-for-profit organiza8on, we rely on financial contribu8ons from donors at all levels to help propel our conserva8on work, and over 8me the Nature Trust has developed a strong and growing base of major donors. As we con8nue to grow our impact and expand our capacity, we are looking for a new team member who can help us advance our major donor program. We have a collabora8ve staff team, hybrid work opportuni8es, flexible schedules, a compe88ve benefits package, and we’re commiLed to maintaining a posi8ve and suppor8ve culture. And every day we get to go home knowing that we’ve done something great for the future of Nova Sco8a – and the planet. Want to know more about how you might be a great fit with us? Read on! Repor8ng to the Director of Philanthropy and Engagement, the Leadership Giving Advisor inspires and cul8vates high-level supporters of the Nature Trust to achieve a vision of conserva8on in Nova Sco8a. As a vital member of our Development Team, you will iden8fy and personally connect with passionate and strategic donors who want to create a posi8ve impact for nature through philanthropy. You are adept at fostering posi8ve connec8ons with donors and clearly communica8ng the Nature Trust’s mission and priori8es. As Leadership Giving Advisor, you will focus on cul8va8on, stewardship and solicita8on of giWs of $1000+ and will manage a porZolio of approximately 200 VIP individuals, along with some corporate and founda8on partners. You’ll use your passion for the work of the Nature Trust to create a shared vision with donors that will translate into the funding growth that will ensure sustainability for the organiza8on’s future. If you’re a candidate for this role, you have earned a reputa8on as an authen8c rela8onship-builder who can generate results. You’re known as someone who easily forms connec8ons and are as comfortable in conversa8ons around kitchen tables as you are in C-Suite mee8ngs. You might be an experienced fundraiser, senior customer service provider or a successful salesperson who is passionate about nature. You’re posi8ve and forward-thinking with a strong personal work ethic, and you have a talent to pick up on par8cularly interes8ng and informa8ve nuggets in any conversa8on. You’re a great listener and you understand how to link the personal values of supporters to ini8a8ves that will connect them to meaningful impacts. And you are commiLed to ensuring that every person you speak with feel special and appreciated.

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This posi8on is part of a small development team which includes Coordinators of Donor Rela8ons, Events, Database and a Senior Advisor of Legacy Crea8on. You will work closely with the Director of Philanthropy and the Execu8ve Director to support leadership giving to achieve annual revenue goals. Key Responsibili6es:

• Manage porZolio of approximately 200-250 donors and prospects at levels of $1000+
• Work with the development team to support the donor journey from new and annual dona8ons

through to mul8-year pledges and future commitments
• Lead major giW development for specific fundraising campaigns and ini8a8ves by iden8fying prospects,

arranging personal mee8ngs and securing major giWs to support overall campaign goals
• Oversee effec8ve donor stewardship ac8vi8es for VIP group of major supporters with a focus on

reten8on and growth
• Par8cipate in strategic networking and outreach ac8vi8es to iden8fy new poten8al major giW

supporters
• Write major funding proposals as needed
• Collaborate with Marke8ng and Communica8ons team to inform crea8on of effec8ve donor

communica8ons, outreach and engagement materials
• Assist with developing annual fundraising plans

Required Qualifica6ons and Experience

• Post-secondary degree or equivalent in relevant field or a combina8on of post-secondary educa8on with fundraising / sales experience

• At least 5 years of direct fundraising or sales experience with demonstrated success
• Experience with moves management prac8ces and demonstrated understanding of the different stages

and strategies of donor/client engagement
• Proven experience developing strong working rela8onships with senior leaders, partners and donors
• Excep8onal interpersonal and communica8on skills, both oral and wriLen
• Proven personal 8me management skills, including the ability to establish plans, meet deadlines, track

follow-ups and provide regular status reports
• Recognized as a commiLed team player who recognizes the power of collabora8on to generate

success.
• Strong understanding of CRA rules and regula8ons as they pertain to fundraising
• Proficient in MicrosoW Office suite and CRM soWware such as Donor Perfect, Blackbaud NXT, Sales Force

or similar
• Vaid drivers license and ability to travel within Nova Sco8a for personal donor visits and ac8vi8es.

Addi6onal Skills and Knowledge Desired

• Experience working in a complex mul8-stakeholder environment
• Working knowledge of charitable giving op8ons such as insurance giWs, stock transfers, tax law and

legacy giving mechanisms
• Direct experience in major giW fundraising
• CFRE designa8on or equivalent

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• A deep personal interest in protec8ng nature and the environment
• Solid knowledge of Nova Sco8a’s unique areas, communi8es and geography

Working with the Nature Trust We are commiLed to having a team of staff and volunteers that reflects the diversity of Nova Sco8a. We welcome applica8ons from all qualified candidates, including Indigenous persons, under-represented peoples, people of any sexual orienta8on, gender iden8ty or gender expression, visible minori8es, racialized people, and people with disabili8es. We are strongly commiLed to maintaining a posi8ve, suppor8ve, inclusive and collabora8ve culture, and the passion and care you’ll find in your teammates is a testament to our shared dedica8on. Our ongoing commitments to a healthy workplace include regular team mee8ngs and check-ins, ongoing cross-team communica8ons and collabora8on, support for work-life balance, flexibility with working hours and schedules, staff ou8ngs to enjoy nature together and a compe88ve compensa8on and benefits package. The Nature Trust team works in a hybrid office environment with the physical office located in downtown Dartmouth. Staff have the op8on to define their regular workplace as primarily office- or home-based. This posi8on will be expected to aLend periodic mee8ngs in person at the office, to ensure regular interac8on and communica8on with other staff members, and to regularly meet with donors and prospects in person, which entails travel throughout the province. Occasionally there will be required events and ac8vi8es outside of regular working hours. Compensa8on for this posi8on is commensurate with experience and includes a comprehensive benefit package. To apply Please send a current resume and cover leLer (as one document) to nature@nsnt.ca by Friday, August 29, 2025. Please clearly specify experience related to the Nature Trust’s needs, why you’d like to work with the Nature Trust and why you believe you’re a good fit with our organiza8on.

Leadership Giving Advisor – Role Description

Job Title: Leadership Giving Advisor Job Category: Philanthropy and Engagement Team

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy and Engagement, the Leadership Giving Advisor inspires and cultivates special supporters of the Nature Trust to achieve a vision of conservation in Nova Scotia. This vital

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member of our Development Team will identify and personally connect with passionate and strategic donors who want to create a positive impact for nature through philanthropy. An ability to foster positive connections with donors and to clearly communicate the Nature Trust’s mission and priorities are key attributes for the role. This position will focus on cultivation, stewardship and solicitation of gifts of $1000+ and will manage a portfolio of VIP individuals, along with some corporate and foundation partners. The person in this role is expected to use their passion for the work of the Nature Trust to create a shared vision with donors that will translate into the funding growth that will ensure sustainability for the organization’s future. Responsibilities:

• Identify, research, cultivate, solicit and steward donors of $1000+ / year
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 250 donors and prospects, working with the development team

to support the donor journey from new and annual donations through to multi-year pledges and future commitments.

• Lead major gift development for specific fundraising campaigns and initiatives by identifying prospects, arranging personal meetings and securing major gifts to support overall campaign goals.

• Oversee effective donor stewardship activities (regular communication, in-person meetings, invitations to special activities) for major supporters of the Nature Trust with a focus on retention and growth.

• Develop superior knowledge of current internal conservation and land stewardship initiatives to share with donors

• Identify opportunities to advance existing Nature Trust supporters into major gift and legacy giving prospects

• Administer stock donation process with donors and professional service providers to ensure gifts are processed accurately and providing service excellence to donors.

• Utilize internal systems and processes for timely and accurate actions and records management in CRM

• Oversee recognition plans and processes for major donors
• Participate in strategic networking and outreach activities to identify new potential major gift

supporters
• Write major funding proposals as needed
• Develop and implement annual plan for stewardship and cultivation activities for major donors
• Work closely with Senior Advisor, Legacy Creation to integrate Legacy Giving promotions with

donors
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to inform the creation of effective donor

communications, outreach and engagement materials.
• Provide mentoring and support for other staff regarding relationship management and linking

donors with other aspects of the Nature Trust’s work including volunteerism and conservation.
• Work with external organizations and professionals to develop specialized knowledge and skills

important for Nature Trust fundraising efforts
• Assist with developing annual fundraising plans

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Required Qualifications and Experience
• Post-secondary degree in relevant field or a combination of post-secondary education with

fundraising / sales experience
• At least 5 years of direct fundraising or sales experience with demonstrated success
• Experience with moves management practices and demonstrated understanding of the different

stages of donor/client engagement from one-time gifts to legacy giving
• Proven experience developing strong working relationships with senior leaders, partners and

donors
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Proven personal management skills, including the ability to establish plans, meet deadlines, track

follow-ups and provide regular status reports
• Recognized as a committed team player who recognizes the power of collaboration to generate

success.
• Strong understanding of CRA rules and regulations as they pertain to fundraising
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and CRM software such as Donor Perfect, Blackbaud NXT, Sales

Force or similar
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel periodically within Nova Scotia for personal donor visits

and activities.

Additional Skills and Knowledge Desired:
• Experience working in a complex multi-stakeholder environment
• Working knowledge of charitable giving options such as insurance gifts, stock transfers, tax law and

legacy giving mechanisms
• CFRE designation or equivalent
• A deep personal interest in protecting nature and the environment.
• Solid knowledge of Nova Scotia’s unique areas, communities and geography

Reports to: Director of Philanthropy and Engagement Internal/External Contacts:

• Executive Director
• Philanthropy and Engagement team
• Conservation Team
• Operations Team
• Donors and prospects
• Board members
• Volunteers
• Professional contacts (lawyers, accountants etc.)
• Corporate Leaders / sponsors

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Working Conditions The Nature Trust team works in a hybrid office environment with the physical office located in downtown Dartmouth. Staff have the op8on to define their regular workplace as primarily office- or home-based. This posi8on will be expected to aLend periodic mee8ngs in person at the office, to ensure regular interac8on and communica8on with other staff members, and to regularly meet with donors and prospects in person, which entails travel throughout the province. Occasionally there will be required events and ac8vi8es outside of regular working hours. Additional Notes: This position is part of a growing Philanthropy & Engagement Team who are positioned to expand the organization’s base of major donor support for future sustainability. This position will work closely with the Senior Advisor, Legacy Creation to transition many existing donor relationships to the new position and will be a vital part of the team who will develop new major gift relationships in support of the latest strategic priorities.