Vice President of Development and Strategic Partnerships

Vice President of Development and Strategic Partnerships

Location: Hybrid within Chesapeake Bay watershed, Office located in Annapolis, Maryland
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Supervises: Director of Institutional Giving, Director of Individual and Major Gifts, Director of Federal Business Development, Development and Annual Fund Coordinator

Salary: $130,000-$150,000

About Chesapeake Conservancy

Chesapeake Conservancy is a non-profit organization based in Annapolis, Maryland. We are a team of conservation entrepreneurs. As the only watershed-wide organization focused on both land conservation and stream restoration, we believe that the Chesapeake is a national treasure that should be accessible for everyone and a place where wildlife can thrive. We use the latest data and technology to enhance the pace and effectiveness of conservation and restoration investments.

The Chesapeake Conservancy seeks an accomplished Vice President of Development and Strategic Partnerships to lead and expand the organization’s revenue generation, institutional partnerships, and strategic growth initiatives. This senior leader will oversee all aspects of development driving innovation in fundraising, federal and state partnerships, private sector engagement, and conservation technology markets.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Development and Strategic Partnerships will lead Chesapeake Conservancy’s comprehensive revenue strategy, encompassing philanthropy, government partnerships, and earned-income opportunities. Reporting to and working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, this senior leader will oversee a talented, high-performing team of four and provide strategic vision and operational leadership to strengthen and diversify the Conservancy’s funding base, ensuring long-term financial sustainability. This position plays a key role on the executive leadership team, advancing the organization’s mission through innovative fundraising, strategic partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Leadership

• Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, governance, and cross-functional collaboration
• Provide clear and consistent communication with the CEO and Board regarding fundraising progress, revenue forecasts, and partnership opportunities
• Lead and manage the Development team, ensuring strong performance across institutional giving, individual and major gifts, public-sector partnerships, and earned-income initiatives
• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising and strategic partnerships strategy aligned with the Conservancy’s mission, strategic plan, and long-term sustainability goals
• Translate strategic priorities into clear, actionable fundraising plans, pipelines, and performance metrics that drive growth and accountability
• Identify new markets, funding opportunities, and collaborative partnerships to expand the Conservancy’s reach and impact

Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Development

• Build and steward relationships with major institutional, corporate, and government funders to secure transformational support
• Oversee the development of compelling proposals, partnership agreements, and stewardship materials in collaboration with the Communications and Program teams
• Expand opportunities through the Conservation Innovation Center (CIC) and other program areas by cultivating mission-aligned partnerships with private sector, nonprofit, and government entities
• Position the Conservancy as a trusted partner for data-driven conservation and innovation, supporting the creation of new, sustainable revenue models
• Negotiate and manage high-value grants, contracts, and partnership agreements, ensuring compliance, performance, and impact

Major Gifts

• Lead strategy and execution of major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for individual donors and family foundations
• Build and manage a personal portfolio of donors and prospects with significant capacity, in collaboration with the CEO
• Ensure best-in-class donor stewardship and engagement practices that foster long-term relationships and sustained giving

Team Leadership and Cross-Team Collaboration

• Directly supervise and develop Development team members, fostering a culture of professional growth, innovation, accountability, and results
• Establish clear goals and performance metrics for each team member, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategy, financial plan, and business model
• Enhance internal capacity by identifying and implementing best practices in fundraising, donor stewardship, and partnership management
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and succession planning to support team development and long-term organizational sustainability
• Manage cross-team collaboration to ensure fundraising and partnership initiatives align with the Conservancy’s goals and operational needs
• Collaborate closely with the Communications, Finance, and Program teams to align messaging, fundraising, and partnership efforts 

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in fundraising, business development, or strategic partnerships within conservation, environmental, or other mission-driven sectors
• Demonstrated success securing and managing multi-million-dollar philanthropic and institutional partnerships
• Proven experience overseeing both fundraising and earned-revenue strategies, including corporate partnerships, foundation grants, major gifts, and government funding
• Strong strategic and business acumen, with the ability to design and execute complex revenue initiatives
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to inspire executive-level stakeholders, donors, and partners
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams, fostering professional growth, and creating a culture of accountability and excellence
• Passion for the Chesapeake Bay, environmental conservation, and advancing Chesapeake Conservancy’s mission and values

Summary

This position offers a unique opportunity to guide the Chesapeake Conservancy’s next era of growth and innovation. The Vice President of Development and Strategic Partnerships will lead a dynamic team dedicated to accelerating the pace and impact of conservation throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Please send your resume and cover letter to Franca Rofe at frofe@chesapeakeconservancy.org