Salary: Range is $125,000 - $150,000, commensurate with experience.

Job Type: Full-time staff member

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: Rockville, MD

Work Type: In-office 

About National Park Trust

We believe our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed by, and preserved by all for current and future generations. We accomplish this goal through our mission to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow.

National Park Trust protects public lands early and expands access, so the next generation grows up connected to America’s parks. By safeguarding places before they are threatened and opening the door to meaningful park experiences, we turn access into lifelong care. 

As National Park Trust enters a transformative period of growth, we are preparing for a comprehensive campaign to support our expansion, building the philanthropic foundation needed to ensure our parks—and the next generation of park stewards—thrive for decades to come.

Position Overview

Following a strategic shift—including the sunsetting of $1.5M in federal funding—we are reimagining our $4M annual development operation. With an engaged Board of Trustees and a three-person full-time development team, we are preparing to take our program to a new level, including a projected three-year, $20M Comprehensive Campaign.

We are seeking a Senior Director of Development to lead our fundraising program, with responsibility for strategy, performance, and growth. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees, this senior-level development officer will oversee all fundraising initiatives, including Individual Annual Giving, Corporate and Foundation efforts, Direct Response, and Planned Giving, as well as the execution of the Comprehensive Campaign. Given growth projections, building an expanded team and implementing systems required to support long-term success will be a key responsibility of this individual.

Detailed Position Description

Fundraising Strategy & Growth

Develop and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support both near-term program needs and long-term sustainability. Establish and achieve annual and multi-year revenue targets across all funding sources, ensuring a balanced and diversified funding model.

Major & Principal Gifts

Oversee the organization’s major and principal gift strategy while managing an active portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects. Guide cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts to secure six- and seven-figure gifts. Implement a rigorous moves management process to track prospect movement through each phase of the philanthropic process from identification to stewardship.

Campaign Execution

Facilitate the execution of a $20M comprehensive campaign, working closely with the Executive Director, Board leadership, and campaign counsel to drive strategy, performance, and accountability. Monitor campaign progress, ensure alignment with broader goals, and support achievement of key milestones and overall campaign success.

Board & Volunteer Engagement

Empower a motivated Board of Trustees by providing tools, training, and opportunities to turn their best intentions into strategic action.

Team Leadership & Development

Lead, mentor, and grow the development team, ensuring roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations are clearly defined and aligned with organizational priorities. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, and evolve team structure and capacity to support fundraising growth and campaign success.

Qualifications

Capital Campaign Experience

Proven track record of playing a lead role in a large-scale capital campaign ($20M+).

Fundraising Expertise

Successful past performance securing six- and seven-figure gifts. Minimum of 8–10 years of professional fundraising experience, with deep knowledge of individual, corporate, and foundation sectors and familiarity with all giving channels from direct response appeals to planned giving.

Systems Thinker

Expert-level experience in formal moves management processes with a familiarity with donor databases (e.g., Neon, Raisers Edge, Salesforce).

Communication

Exceptional storytelling skills to translate land acquisition and youth stewardship into compelling cases for support.

Environmental Passion

A strong understanding of the environmental movement and land conservation is highly preferred.

Special Requirements

Due to our work with kids and families:

• All staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law.
• The candidate must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check

Physical Requirements

• Some physical exertion, including outdoor recreation activities.
• Lifting items up to 25-40 lbs.
• Driver’s license and use of a car.
• Local and overnight travel will be required.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with a 5% company match
• Health and dental insurance with a vision program
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability insurance
• Vacation, sick leave, and observance of all federal holidays