Development Project Manager

The Morton Arboretum is a globally recognized nonprofit organization committed to creating a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together. We are seeking an experienced individual to join our team and provide executive-level project management support. To excel in this role, you’ll need to be highly organized, a strong communicator, and able to work both independently and collaboratively. You’ll be joining a dynamic Development team dedicated to making the Arboretum a truly exceptional place. 

Position Summary: Provide executive-level project management support to the Vice President of Development operating with initiative, professionalism, and discretion. Responsible for managing key activities of the Vice President and functions of the broader department. Serve as a critical part of the Development department, supporting efforts to achieve fundraising goals, cultivate and steward donors, and advance a culture of philanthropy across the Arboretum.

Essential Functions: 

• Propel donor engagement activities for the Vice President. Prompt and support the preparation for and follow-up to donor engagements and commitments. Enter meeting notes, tasks, and proposals in Salesforce, utilizing reports and other functionality to ensure current, real-time organization of the Vice President’s portfolio.

• Maintain calendars for the Vice President, making appointments and coordinating arrangements for an active calendar of meetings and events that take place at the Arboretum and other locations. 

• Coordinate activities, including but not limited to, room reservations, room layout, technology support, food and beverage, Gatehouse, parking, and communicating with guests and Arboretum colleagues.

• Partner with the Vice President to develop and produce plans and materials pertinent to committees. Manage follow-up and support coordination of special projects. Attend and record minutes when needed.  

• Draft, proofread, track, and/or process routine and customized outgoing correspondence, reports, acknowledgement letters, and other materials in support of the Vice President. Initiate such tasks to fulfill regularly scheduled business requirements and ongoing objectives.

• Administer expense reporting, handle travel arrangements, and coordinate special projects for the Vice President. 

• With the Vice President and Development directors, lead annual planning for the Development department and implement all department-wide engagements, including monthly meeting content, retreats, and special events.

• Coordinate logistics and technology for all Development department meetings and events, including room reservations, food and beverages, materials, and notes.

• Interface collaboratively with peers across the institution. 

• Provide support for and attend Arboretum events, as needed.

• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values to be inclusive, take ownership, work together, keep learning, and make the Arboretum exceptional.

• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required. 4+ years successful project management or executive-level administrative support. Demonstrated comfort working with executives, high-level volunteers, subject matter experts, colleagues at all levels, and donor/member audiences from all walks of life required. Strong communication, project coordination, organizational, technical expertise, process and collaborative experience required. Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality required. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office and Google applications. Experience using database systems required with knowledge of Constituent Relationship Management system, with a focus on fundraising preferred. 

Success Factors: Strong interest in the mission of the Arboretum and a keen understanding of the importance of philanthropic support to the success of non-profit organizations. Ability to develop and maintain broad knowledge and understanding of the department and organization's operations and policies to assist the Development department, and to interact effectively with individuals internally and externally at all levels. Extremely accurate and detail-oriented to ensure effective communications and positive interactions with volunteer leadership, donors, and staff.  Ability to successfully navigate a deadline-driven environment and work both independently and collaboratively. Ability to manage multiple tasks at the same time and provide a creative approach to problem-solving. Ability to use sound judgment and appropriate flexibility in making decisions that reflect a culture of philanthropy dedicated to serving donor and institutional needs. Positive, friendly, responsive, and flexible. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 10 lbs.), and occasional travel around the Arboretum and locally.

• Work Environment: Office environment. Work is primarily performed indoors with occasional outdoor activity. 

• Equipment: General office equipment, Arboretum golf cart.

• Schedule: Requires occasional extended work hours, including evenings and weekends.

The expected hiring range for this exempt position is annualized at $65,000 - $75,000 based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of the final offer. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package.

For full consideration, please include a resume and cover letter with the application.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.  

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.