Research And Development Director Jobs in Seattle, WA

$62,000- $75,000per year + benefits(see below)

July2026 | Open until filled

Save HabitatAndDiversityOfWetlands (SHADOW)Lake Nature Preserve acquires, restores, and permanently stewards critical wetland and wildlife habitat in the Shadow Lake watershed, protecting ecosystems that support native plants and wildlife while delivering vital ecological services: carbon storage, groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, and stormwater filtration. One of the few remaining bogs in King County, SHADOW currently protects133 acresin a rapidly urbanizing corner of the region, with active conversations underway to expand protections significantly in the years ahead. Through habitat preservation, active restoration, environmental education, guided nature walks, and community science, SHADOW connects people to the natural world in ways that create lifelong stewards.

This is SHADOW's first-ever dedicated development positionreporting directly to the Board, a rare chance to build something lasting at an organization with a compelling mission, a loyal donor community, a supportive and engaged board, and133 acresof irreplaceable wetland habitat that stops people in their tracks.

We'relooking for a builder : someone energized by creating systems, telling stories, and cultivating relationships that will sustain this organization for decades.You’llwork closely with our founder, board, and small staff team, supported by an experienced development advisor and coach during your first year who willprovidehands-on guidance as you build the program.

Year One success: systems working, donors feeling seen and appreciated, communications consistent, and a strong year-end campaign. This is the foundation, andyou'llbe the one who builds it.

• Manage a comprehensive donor stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation program with tiered, personalized touchpoints for donors at every level, from small annual givers to major supporters
• Plan and execute SHADOW's year-end and spring fundraising campaigns, including appeals and acknowledgments
• Plan and execute donor cultivation and community events, including stewardship gatherings on the preserve, third-party fundraising events, and other engagement opportunities
• Identifyand develop strategies for donor acquisition through events, tours, and community partnerships
• Partner with board members and the Executive Director to steward and cultivate key donor relationships, providing briefings, talking points, and strategic support
• Manage donor acknowledgment processes to ensure every gift is recognized promptly and personally
• Represent SHADOW in community settings including civic organizations, chambers of commerce, Rotary Clubs, and regional community groups, building awareness and relationships on behalf of the organization
• Support production of an annual impact report, coordinating content and design to communicate SHADOW's conservation and stewardship achievements to donors and the community
• Manage the grants calendar, tracking deadlines, reporting requirements, and renewal cycles for all active and prospective grants
• Research andidentifynew foundation, government, and corporate grant opportunities aligned with SHADOW's mission and priorities
• Write, edit, andsubmitgrant proposals and reports in collaboration with the Executive Director
• Maintain funder relationships and records, ensuring consistent and professional communication with institutional partners

• Manage andmaintainthe donor database (DonorPerfect), ensuring data integrity,accurategift records, and consistent data-entry standards across the organization
• Generate regular fundraising reports andmaintainthe metrics and dashboards that track progress toward annual goals
• Own and continuously improve gift-processing, acknowledgment, and donor record workflows
• Serve as the organizational lead on development systems, tools, and technology, evaluating and improving infrastructure as the program grows
• Develop andmaintainan annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the Executive Director and board, setting goals, priorities, and tactics for each year
• Coordinate board participation in fundraising activities, including training, strategic deployment for donor meetings, and accountability for board-level fundraising commitments
• Prepare and present a fundraising dashboard to the board at each board meeting, covering revenue, donor count, retention, and campaign results
• Research peer organizations and regional fundraising trends to continuously improve SHADOW's approach
• Track, interpret, and use fundraising data to inform strategy, adjust tactics, and communicate progress to leadership and the board
• Contribute to organizational strategic planning as it relates to fundraising, communications, and long-term sustainability
• Write and produce donor-facing appeals, stewardship reports, and campaign materials

We encourage candidates who meet several of these areas to apply. Wedon'texpect every box to be checked.

• 3to 5years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, or a closely related field, or equivalent transferable experience
• Strong writing and editing skills across multiple formats: donor appeals, grant narratives, newsletters, stewardship reports
• Excellent verbal communication and public speaking skills, including comfort presenting to donors, board members, and community groups
• Comfort with donor database systems; willingness to become the organizational expert inDonorPerfect
• Experience with email marketing platforms (Constant Contact, Mailchimp, or similar)
• Familiarity with grant writing, grant coordination, or foundation relations
• Experience with or genuine interest in communications, brand management, and organizational storytelling
• Proficiencywith standard office tools (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace) and comfort learning new platforms

• Builder orientation: energized by creating systems, structure, and programs from scratch
• Genuine connection to conservation, wetlands, wildlife, or environmental stewardship
• Warm and relational: builds trust with donors, colleagues, and community partners naturally and authentically
• Emotionally intelligent and politically savvy: comfortable navigating a wide range of community affiliations and relationships with tact
• Organized and detail-oriented: able to manage a grants calendar, adonorcommunications &stewardshipcalendar, and agivingcampaign simultaneously
• Collaborative and adaptable: comfortable working alongside a founder, a volunteer board, part-time staff, and community volunteers
• Self-directed: sets priorities, manages time well, and asks for help when needed

• SHADOW Lake is a place that moves people. Donors who visitdontjust write checks; they become lifelong stewards. The preserve itself is your most powerful fundraising tool.
• You’llbe the first. SHADOW has never had a dedicated development professional. That means real ownership, real creativity, and real impact fromdayone.
• Eat lunch while deerpassby. Work alongside colleagues who genuinely love being here. Comealivein a place of rare natural beauty across every season.
• The board is engaged, supportive, and ready toparticipatein fundraising alongside you.
• You’llbe supported by an experienced development advisor and coach during your first year,providinghands-on guidance as you build the program.
• Every dollar raised protects land that can never be replaced, in one of the most rapidly urbanizing areas of King County.

The salary range for this position is $62,000 to$75,000annually. Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and qualifications relative to the role; candidates who meet the core requirements can expect an offer in the lower-to-middle portion of this range, while the top of the range is reserved for candidates who exceed the stated qualifications.Benefitsinclude health and dental insurance (60/40 employer/employee split), paid time off, flexible scheduling with supervisor approval, and support for professional development and continuing education.

SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to building a team as diverse as the ecosystems we protect.