Development Manager

Position Overview

The Development Manager joins the Development team as a dedicated and experienced fundraising professional who manages important aspects of Walking Mountains’ annual fundraising efforts. The Development Manager works to secure contributions from individuals and businesses through cultivation and stewardship activities including relationship building, appeal campaigns, and special events.  

The Development Manager will report to and work closely with the Director of Development and the development team to meet fiscal year fundraising goals. This role is a combination of frontline fundraising and project management including annual appeals, collateral and communications, and special events.

The Development Manager must engage donors and establish a rapport that encourages, supports and sustains the donor’s connection to the mission of Walking Mountains Science Center and creates compelling ways to retain and increase annual giving. This individual has bottom-line revenue goals critical to the organization’s annual operating budget and is responsible for cultivation and stewardship of donors in the portfolio.

Cultivating and securing new prospects is an important part of this role, as Walking Mountains continues to expand its donor base to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. As such, donor research and extensive engagement in the community is essential to this position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Individual Giving, Corporate Philanthropy & Special Events

In collaboration with the Director of Development, secure annual gifts from existing and new individual and corporate donors to meet or exceed annual fundraising goals

In collaboration with internal staff and event management contractors, create events that awaken a sense of wonder for donors and prospects including the annual gala, A Taste of Nature (July 6, 2023), the new community fundraiser and climate action event, Climb It for Climate (September 23, 2023), monthly EdVentures (for $1k+ donors), the Holiday Open House (for $250+ donors), and others

Support the creation of written and visual content for fundraising assets and communications including the Annual Report, end of year giving appeals, and event collateral like emails and program booklets

Create and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans (“moves management”) for all individual and corporate prospects and donors

In collaboration with the President, Vice President of Development, and development team, contribute to the creation of the annual fundraising budget (including revenue goals and event and operational expenses) as well as the annual plans for achieving them

Administrative

Maintain accurate contact records in the donor database

Support the creation of financial fundraising reports for Vice President, President, Board of Directors, and committee meetings

Support fundraising committees (Development Committee, A Taste of Nature Gala Committee, Climb It for Climate Host Committee) with meeting prep and follow up

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

Attend community events to forge relationships with donors and partners 

Participate in regular development team meetings, strategic team, and all-staff meetings

Other duties, as assigned

Requirements
Qualifications

Must have demonstrated knowledge of and proven success with the development process and understanding of all stages of the relationship with donors (“moves management” including identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship)

2+ years of fundraising or sales experience including a combination of the following areas of expertise: cultivation and solicitation of low to mid level individual giving ($500-$5k), low to mid level corporate philanthropy or sponsorships ($500-$5k), special event production (gala format preferred), and annual planning

Hard working, self-motivated, and organized individual with strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated, quantitative results relating to meeting and/or exceeding fundraising goals in previous positions

Highly collaborative with experience working with internal stakeholders, at-large committees, boards of directors, and contractors

Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential 

Ability to effectively work on multiple projects and with a diverse range of stakeholders

Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

A bachelor’s degree is required

Work Environment

Location is in Avon, Colorado, and Walking Mountains Science Center values a team culture and spirit while encouraging independent colleagues who take full responsibility for and pride in their role within the organization. This position requires extensive time spent after hours at evening and weekend events in order to excel in this role and may be afforded flexibility regarding some portion of time working remotely.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits are reviewed annually.

Salary Range $50,000-$65,000 DOE

Heath, Dental and Vision insurance program

401K match program

Flexible work arrangements available including remote days and compressed work weeks

Professional development funding opportunities

Discounted ski pass & WMSC program registration fees

Early access to WMSC event registration

Access to discounted clothing and gear programs

15 days PTO in the first year, including two days for volunteer opportunities,12 days of sick leave for you or to care for a member of your immediate family, and 12 holidays