Development Officer
posted on March 2, 2026
About Peconic Land Trust
Since 1983, the Peconic Land Trust, a nonprofit charitable organization, has worked collaboratively with landowners, communities, municipalities, and partner organizations to protect over 14,000 acres of land on Long Island, NY – more than 7,000 acres of farmland, many miles of trail systems, and over 6,000 acres of preserves and natural lands that protect watershed, shorelines, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, land sacred to indigenous people and historic resources.
Position Summary
We are seeking a skilled Development Officer to be a direct fundraiser, advancing our Annual Fund, Capital and Project-based priorities and financial goals. As an integral member of the Development team, this position focuses on leadership-level upgrades, new donor acquisition, mid-tier growth and campaign engagement. The successful candidate needs to be skilled at building strategic relationships, analyzing data and executing strategies, along with personalized cultivation, solicitation and donor stewardship strategies.
Reporting to the VP of Development, this position will be a trust builder and strong collaborator with exceptional listening/communication skills and a passion for connecting with and understanding donor’s needs, goals and interests to align with the Trust’s initiatives.
Job Responsibilities
Some essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Fundraising Strategy and Implementation:
- Manage an independent portfolio of 75-100 annual, mid-level and emerging major donors, with a focus on leadership-level giving and long-term relationship development.
- Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans based on donor interests, capacity and engagement history.
- Lead select project fundraising initiatives, rotating based on strengths and organizational priorities into compelling donor-facing opportunities and proposals.
- Directly solicit and steward donors via personal visits (face to face and virtual), phone and written communications including thank you calls, notes and gift impact updates.
- Serve as a frontline fundraising representative at cultivation and stewardship events, donor tours, and signature Trust wide events.
- Identify donors with potential for major gifts or planned giving and partner with senior staff on transition strategies.
- Collaborate with program and conservation staff to translate organizational priorities into compelling donor facing opportunities and proposals.
- Utilize our database and research tools to build proposals for current/new donors and routinely enter and update data.
Essential Qualifications
- Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in a fundraising role with progressively more responsibility making direct asks, cultivating donor relationships and moves management.
- Bachelor’s degree or at least 7 years of above experience.
- Must have demonstrated success in strategic thinking and execution to achieve fundraising goals and manage donor relationships in a nonprofit setting.
- Strong analytical, writing, listening and oral presentation skills.
- Discretion and good judgment with the ability to gain trust and confidence from donors.
- Experience with fundraising databases, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to work effectively as a productive team member
- Ability to use an analytical and organized approach to problem solving and workflow management.
- Efficient, well organized, and able to produce high quality and quantity of work.
- Detail orientation; able to juggle competing priorities.
- Valid NYS Driver’s License with ability to commute to Southampton weekly.
PREFERRED QUALICATIONS
- Knowledge of Long Island and New York City philanthropic and corporate communities a plus.
- Experience with Salesforce a plus.
- Knowledge of land conservation a plus.
Position Specifics
- Hybrid position with at least 1-2 days a week in the Southampton, NY office after 90 days.
- Full-time, exempt position working at least 35 hours per week Mon-Fri to include some evenings and occasional weekends.
- Local travel by car regularly, NYC and Tri-state travel by train, car or ferry, along with air travel out of state when needed.
WE OFFER:
- Starting salary $73k–$87k. The exact amount is commensurate with experience, knowledge and skills and may vary above or below the range, as permitted by applicable law.
- Subsidized medical, voluntary dental and vision, FSA and company funded HRA.
- Company paid profit sharing pension plan.
- Annual bonus and salary increase potential.
- Generous paid time off.
- Employee contributed 403b plan.
- Kind and supportive culture.
Peconic Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer.
To Apply
Please email resume and interests to hr@peconiclandtrust.org.