Job Description
Job DescriptionDevelopment Director
Status: Full Time, Exempt (40 hours/week)
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: This position will be primarily on-site at the CLC office in Chocorua, New Hampshire, with the option to work remotely 1-2 days per week, depending upon the season. Candidates should live in or near the Mount Washington Valley or Lakes Region, or be open to relocating to this area.
About Chocorua Lake Conservancy
Chocorua Lake Conservancy (CLC) is a land trust founded in 1968 to protect the natural beauty and splendor of the Chocorua Lake Basin, protect the lake's water quality, and offer free, convenient, and attractive public access to Chocorua Lake.
CLC owns and manages 800 acres of conservation land across 17 properties. We protect an additional 2,500 acres through perpetual covenants, conservation easements, and deed restrictions on 94 properties.
Our mission is to preserve the ecology and pristine waters of the Chocorua Lake Basin, maintain trails on Mount Chocorua and nearby conservation lands, and provide welcoming access to Chocorua Lake for residents, visitors, and future generations. We envision a Chocorua Lake Basin whose resilient forests, clear waters, and thriving habitats are a welcoming haven for people, plants, and animals for generations to come.
An estimated 150,000 people visit CLC's three public access areas at Chocorua Lake each year. Chocorua Lake is one of the few lakes in New Hampshire where anyone, not just town residents or lakefront owners, can park, picnic, and swim for free.
The Chocorua Lake Basin is a southern gateway to the White Mountains, including the Sandwich Wilderness Range. In 2013, the Chocorua Lake Basin was featured on New Hampshire's second America the Beautiful quarter. The Appalachian Mountain Club reports that the view of Mount Chocorua from the Narrows Bridge at Chocorua Lake is among the most photographed mountains in the world.
Learn more at www.chocorualake.org
The Opportunity
Chocorua Lake Conservancy seeks an experienced fundraising professional to orchestrate the organization's fundraising program and support its mission of conserving the Chocorua Lake Basin for future generations, protecting water quality, providing sustainable lake access, and maintaining hiking and walking trails.
This role oversees a comprehensive development program to meet annual fundraising goals. The Director will manage CLC's annual giving and other fundraising programs, while strengthening the systems that sustain long-term conservation work.
While the role is primarily focused on fundraising, the Development Director will provide input to CLC's communications and marketing program, ensuring that messaging and storytelling effectively support philanthropic engagement.
This new position will ensure Chocorua Lake Conservancy has the resources needed to achieve its strategic goals. This position will play an important role in shaping the organization's growth, with corresponding opportunities for growth in the role and compensation.
Philanthropy at Chocorua Lake Conservancy
Philanthropy at CLC is collaborative and mission-alignedbringing together board members, staff, and donors to build lasting relationships and ensure CLC can protect and care for the region's most treasured landscapes for generations to come. The organization engages a broad base of supporters through annual giving, major gifts, monthly giving, planned giving, mini-campaigns, and foundation grants.
Many CLC donors have a deep, lifelong connection with the Chocorua Lake Basin. Many are 2nd- or 3rd-generation donors. Some CLC member households have been donating for 50+ years.
Last year, CLC's work was made possible by financial support from over 700 households and businesses across 71 New Hampshire towns and 34 states. This support included gifts from 150 first-time donors. CLC also benefited from the commitment of over 200 volunteers, who contributed more than 2,400 hours to our mission and work. Our donors and volunteers are inspired not just by the outcomes of CLC's work, but by the opportunity to be active partners in shaping a healthier, more resilient future for the Chocorua Lake Basin.
In 2025, revenues from annual fund giving increased by 21%, and total revenues approached $800,000. While the greatest number of gifts come from individuals contributing less than $500reflecting a broad base of community supportthe majority of the total funds raised come from major donors who have a deep commitment to helping to fund land conservation, water quality, sustainable lake access for all, and trail maintenance.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Administration
- Manage and implement a comprehensive development strategy that supports annual fundraising goals.
- Oversee the organization's annual giving program.
- Oversee foundation and grant strategy, including prospect research, proposal development, and reporting.
Donor Engagement and Events
- Support the Executive Director and Board Members in managing major donor relationships and engagement.
- Manage donor cultivation events and stewardship strategies.
- Expand monthly giving, planned giving, and partnerships with local businesses.
Communications
- Provide input to communications and marketing to ensure alignment with fundraising priorities.
- Assist with messaging and storytelling that inspire philanthropic investment in land conservation, water quality, trail maintenance, and sustainable public lake access.
Collaboration
- Work with fellow staff to translate conservation priorities into compelling funding opportunities.
- Support board members in their fundraising roles and to strengthen the organization's culture of philanthropy.
- Conduct fundraising practices to the highest ethical standards to gain and maintain the trust of CLC donors.
Key Qualifications, Skills, and Competencies
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
- 3 to 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, including annual fund management.
- Experience managing or contributing to large annual fundraising programs.
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Familiarity with Google Apps and Microsoft Office.
- Familiarity with CRM donor management systems.
- Passion for community-based nonprofit work and land conservation.
- Expertise in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship best practices is desirable but not required.
Salary Range
- $60,000 to $80,000 commensurate with experience. This position will play an important role in shaping the organization's growth, with corresponding opportunities for growth in the role and compensation.
Benefits
- Health insurance reimbursement
- Employer retirement match
- Dental and vision insurance
- Paid family, parental, and medical leave
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Generous paid time off and outdoor days
- Paid holidays
- Paid sabbatical leave
- Professional development opportunities
- Mileage reimbursement
- Relocation stipend and/or assistance available
To Apply
To apply for this position, click here. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Additional Information
Our History and Staff: Chocorua Lake Conservancy was an all-volunteer organization for its first 48 years. Ten years ago, CLC hired its first year-round, full-time employee to add professional expertise and expand its land stewardship program. Four years ago, CLC hired its first Executive Director. Over the past 10 years, the CLC team has grown to include 8 staff members: 3 full-time employees, 2 part-time employees, a part-time bookkeeper, and 2 AmeriCorps members.
Our Office: CLC maintains a dog-friendly office in Chocorua Village.
Our Location: Chocorua is part of Tamworth, a small town with a vibrant community and a significant second-home and summer population. Chocorua is at the intersection of the Lakes Region and the Mount Washington Valley, 20 minutes from North Conway, a short drive from a variety of downhill and cross-country ski areas, 1 hours from Portland, Maine, and 2 hours from Boston. The Chocorua Lake Basin is a southern gateway to the White Mountains, including the Sandwich Wilderness Range.
Our Financial Resources: CLC has approximately $3.2 million in unrestricted financial assets.
Work Expectations: This position is onsite but may work one day a week remotely; additional remote workdays are negotiable. Occasional travel is required, with select evening and weekend work commitments.
Learn more at www.chocorualake.orgA
Chocorua Lake Conservancy is committed to creating a welcoming environment for its employees and to ensuring that its properties, activities, and events are welcoming and accessible to all. CLC 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.
Contact Information
Chocorua Lake Conservancy
PO Box 105, Chocorua, NH 03817
(603) 323-6252 / www.chocorualake.org