Senior Development Manager

Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy, the Senior Development Manager serves as the project lead for PathForward’s fundraising and communications efforts. This position oversees the execution of the annual development and communications plans, manages the annual fund and all campaign mailings, and leads branding and messaging strategies across platforms. The Senior Development Manager is responsible for managing key donor engagement events—including PathForward’s signature annual fundraiser, donor cultivation events, and committee and council gatherings—and serves as a visible representative of the organization at community and networking events. This role also leads the Junior Board, supervises the Community Engagement Manager and Grants & Communications Associate, and manages two outsourced contractors supporting marketing and event logistics. Evening and weekend work is occasionally required. Development & Communications

• Serve as the project manager for PathForward’s annual development and communications plans, ensuring timely and strategic execution across all initiatives.
• Oversee the development calendar, including direct mail, donor outreach, acknowledgements, and communications milestones.
• Manage the annual fund, including donor appeals, recurring giving strategies, donor segmentation, campaign performance tracking, and stewardship touchpoints.
• Maintain and grow a donor portfolio that supports the annual fund, focusing on monthly donors, new donors, and mid-level donors with strategies to retain, grow and deepen engagement.
• Ensure timely and accurate acknowledgement through the coordination of thank you letters and stewardship communications.
• Lead PathForward’s communications and branding efforts, including print and digital assets, website, social media, and press coordination in collaboration with external marketing partners and the Grants & Communications Associate.
• Represent PathForward at donor cultivation events, community gatherings, networking events, and corporate engagement opportunities.
• Plan and manage all donor-facing events, including the annual No Place Like Home fundraiser and smaller cultivation events, council meetings, and Junior Board events.
• Manage the Junior Board, coordinating meetings, engagement strategies, and fundraising or volunteer initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Philanthropy on donor stewardship strategies and donor pipeline development.
• Respond to donor inquiries and ensure timely, thoughtful follow-up by appropriate team members.

Team & Contractor Management

• Supervise and support the Community Engagement Manager and Grants & Communications Associate, ensuring alignment with PathForward’s broader development, communications, and event goals.
• Support team members in effectively executing their core responsibilities – corporate and community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and strategic communications – while ensuring their work contributes to donor engagement and organizational visibility.
• Oversee two outsourced contractors: one responsible for marketing and branding services, and one managing logistics and vendor relationships for PathForward’s annual fundraiser, No Place Like Home.
• Provide day-to-day management, professional development, and clear project accountability for team members and contractors, promoting a collaborative, high-performing work environment.
• Serve as the point of integration across internal and external partners to ensure campaigns, messaging, and events support PathForward’s annual fund and donor pipeline objectives.

Qualifications and Skills

• Deep dedication to PathForward’s mission and values, with a desire to exceed annual fundraising goals and support the long-term success of programs and clients.
• Keen ability to persuasively articulate PathForward’s mission, funding priorities, and impact to donors, community members, and partners.
• Strong understanding of donor engagement processes, including cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and renewal—particularly in the context of annual giving and pipeline development.
• Proven project management experience in a nonprofit or comparable setting, with the ability to manage complex timelines, deadlines, and stakeholder input.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including donor correspondence, event communications, and campaign content.
• High level of professionalism with the ability to work well under pressure, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines with calm and clarity.
• Strong analytical skills and ease working with donor data, reporting tools, and CRM platforms (DonorPerfect or similar).
• Confidence working collaboratively with internal staff, vendors, and consultants to manage campaign execution, event logistics, and donor acknowledgments.
• Demonstrated ability to support and steward donors and volunteers with authenticity, warmth, and strategic follow-up.
• Financial literacy and comfort navigating budgets, reports, and fundraising metrics.
• Strong organizational skills, flexibility, and willingness to support leadership needs across a wide range of projects.
• Ability to handle confidential information with the utmost integrity and discretion.
• A team-oriented, self-motivated "go-getter" who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Experience and Education Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or related roles, with direct experience managing annual giving campaigns, donor communications, and donor events.
• At least 2 years of experience supervising staff and/or managing external vendors or contractors in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience in donor stewardship and database-driven fundraising strategies.
• Experience planning and executing successful fundraising events, including logistics, donor engagement, and post-event follow-up.
• Strong familiarity with donor management systems (DonorPerfect or similar platforms) and comfort working with data consultants or tech support to generate reports, track giving, and manage acknowledgments.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Works primarily in a sedentary environment, utilizing various means of technology.
• Occasionally required to lift to 25 lbs. (e.g. event materials or supplies.)

Candidates interested in applying can go to PathForward’s career site or send their resume and cover letter along with their salary expectations to ....