Job Description

Who We Are

We are a community of outdoor recreationists and conservationists founded in 1906 to explore the peaks and waterways of the Pacific Northwest. Today, we have 14,000 members and seven branches in Western Washington, where we deliver most of our outdoor education programming. Thanks to the work of generations of volunteers and our internationally recognized publishing division, we continue to enjoy an outstanding reputation in the fields of outdoor education, recreation, and public lands conservation and advocacy.

Our dedicated volunteers and staff get people outside to experience the power of the natural world. We advocate for access and protection of recreational lands so that future generations can enjoy these places too. Our core value of community reflects the belief that a diverse and inclusive outdoors inspires unity, respect, and passion for the places we love. Our 55 staff, divided between our program centers and our nonprofit publishing division, Books, and 3,000+ volunteers work together to achieve our mission to enrich lives by helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. 

The Position: Development Manager

Our next Development Manager will be a creative and collaborative relationship manager who will help build a strong culture of philanthropy. Reporting to the Development Director, this dynamic position on the development team plays a key role in achieving the organization’s annual $1.25M+ fundraising goal. Working closely with staff, the Board of Directors, and external partners, the Development Manager implements a broad suite of fundraising and stewardship strategies that deepen donor engagement with  programs and priorities. While all positions on the Development team work closely together on numerous projects and priorities, the Development Manager’s primary focus areas are special events and corporate relations.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Engagement and Special Events: Responsible for the success of in-person and virtual fundraising and stewardship events, from conception through execution. Special events include a 500-person springtime fundraising gala auction and a 100-person fall fundraiser, as well as numerous donor receptions and cultivation events throughout the year. Additionally, this role regularly supports large membership and volunteer events, including the BeWild speaker series and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.

• Plan, organize, and implement strategies that will result in $500,000+ in revenue across all special events.
• Utilize event planning software and CRM database to manage and track guests, revenue, and auction.
• Oversee $70,000+ value in live and silent auction procurement including tracking, collection, and acknowledgment of event-specific giving.
• Manage the creation of print and electronic collateral, including but not limited to Save the Dates/invitations, signage, videos, and photos.
• Negotiate contracts, discounts, and in-kind contributions with event vendors including venues, caterers, wineries, rental companies, videographers, AV, etc.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate event sponsors.

Corporate Relations: Serve as the primary relationship manager for 100+ corporations to bolster support for organization-wide programs and priorities. In addition to cash sponsorships, this role is responsible for securing in-kind goods and services for the fundraising auction, volunteer recognition program, youth programs, the Gear Library, and more.

• Develop a keen understanding of our programs, goals, strategies and financial needs to secure $30,000+ of cash funding and $100,000+ of in-kind support from corporate partners.
• Maintain a comprehensive calendar for submissions to corporations; research, write, and submit proposals and work collaboratively with colleagues to meet application and reporting deadlines.
• Manage and coordinate the delivery of all sponsorship benefits, stewardship and post-event reporting. Train staff, as necessary, on contract requirements to obtain support documents for requests and subsequent reports.
• Create supplemental documents/presentations as required.

 Desired Qualifications and Characteristics

• Relevant education and/or experience in the field of fundraising, including planning and executing complex fundraising events and cultivating corporate relationships. 
• Proficient use of Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, or other similar CRM database.
• Experience using GreaterGiving, Greenvelope, or other similar digital event management tools.
• Proven strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including the ability to communicate empathetically in all interactions.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once and prioritize tasks as needed.
• Maintain confidential member and donor information.
• Cultural competency and demonstrated ability to work with people of all races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to pass a national criminal background and sex offender check. 
• Outdoor experience and passion for outdoor activities preferred.

Work Environment 

This role is based in Seattle, WA at our program center in Magnuson Park. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, this position is currently 100% remote (work from home) and we anticipate it will remain a remote role until King County enters Phase 4 of Washington’s Safe Start plan.We will provide a laptop computer for remote access. The Development Manager is expected to have a suitable remote work environment, including broadband internet access, to accomplish their job duties

Physical Demands

• Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary.
• Must have regular and reliable transportation for local travel and willing to travel when necessary.
• Frequent local travel expected.
• Ability to lift/move 20 pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds occasionally on event days.
• On events days (from setup to tear down):
• Ability to stand 4 or more hours continuously
• Ability to walk 4 or more hours continuously
• Ability to work greater than a 10-hour day 

The physical demands 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 the essential functions.

As an organization that values equity and inclusion, we highly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, and veterans to apply. 

How to Apply

Cultivating a staff that welcomes all people into the outdoors is central to our focus on advancing equity and inclusion. We seek applicants who can work with colleagues of varied experience and background. We are an equal-opportunity employer, and candidates from all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are a dog friendly environment. We are unable to sponsor H1-B Visas at this time. 

To apply, please submit cover letter (1 page max) and resume (2 page max) online following the apply online link below

Disclaimer: The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

GO WILD!
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