About the Organization

LeaderSpring fosters a powerful, equity-driven social sector by strengthening leaders and organizations, developing communities of leaders, and transforming the systems in which they work. Since 1997, LeaderSpring’s highly respected leadership development programs have strengthened over 450 nonprofit leaders and their organizations through our flagship Fellowship program for nonprofit Executive Directors and the LeaderSpring Consulting Group. A project of the Tides Center, LeaderSpring has a team of eight high-performing staff members and a budget of $1.4M. LeaderSpring is deeply committed to transformative change in support of low-income communities.

LeaderSpring: Development Manager

LeaderSpring is seeking a full-time staff member to design and manage LeaderSpring’s fundraising strategies and efforts to generate institutional, individual, and event revenue. The ideal candidate will be energized both by interacting with funders and by managing the many moving pieces of our fundraising operations, including overseeing the infrastructure that drives our fundraising efforts forward. This year marks LeaderSpring’s 20^th anniversary and is an exciting time in the organization’s history. The Development Manager works very closely with the Executive Director and Leadership Council and will play a pivotal role in engaging our wide network in shaping the next phase of the organization’s evolution.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and execute robust fundraising goals and strategies, including producing an annual fund development plan in collaboration with the Executive Director. Evaluate and report on progress throughout the year to staff and LeaderSpring’s governing board, the Leadership Council.
• Research, identify, cultivate, and solicit corporate and foundation grant funders, event sponsors, and individual donors.
• Establish and steward strong relationships with current and prospective funders through engaging communications, gracious acknowledgements, and outstanding customer service.
• Develop and write compelling foundation, corporate, and other fundraising communications, including proposals and reports. Monitor and report on grant program performance.
• Oversee the planning and execution of LeaderSpring’s signature annual luncheon event, with a focus on sponsorship strategy.
• Manage LeaderSpring’s annual individual donor campaign.
• Refine and manage effective infrastructure to support the efficiency and organization of fundraising efforts.
• Write, edit, and coordinate the development of marketing materials.
• Serve as the keeper of LeaderSpring’s “voice,” ensuring that external messaging meets benchmarks for quality and consistency.
• Supervise a full-time Development and Operations Assistant and oversee independent contractor relationships such as grant writer, event coordinator, etc.
• Stay current on best practices in philanthropy, social media, and marketing; integrate best practices into LeaderSpring’s fundraising activities.

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who are committed to LeaderSpring’s mission and values; who possess outstanding organization and communication skills; and are able to build strong relationship with our funders and constituents. We are looking for:

• At least five years of increasing responsibility in fund development, with demonstrated success in generating and building long-term and multi-year funding relationships, soliciting funds, and achieving fundraising goals.
• At least three years’ experience in grants management. Additional experience in one or more of the following is a plus: individual giving, corporate sponsorship, or events management. 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, secure, and manage foundation funding sources. Experience with corporate and individual funders a plus.
• Familiarity with, and experience implementing fundraising best practices.
• Exceptional writing, editing, verbal, and presentation skills.  Able to conceptualize and communicate LeaderSpring’s work in accessible, concise, and compelling ways.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to develop positive working relationships with individual and institutional funders, and to collaborate effectively and collegially with LeaderSpring’s staff and Leadership Council.  
• Strong project management skills, including ability to prioritize responsibilities, meet deadlines, remain organized, and give strong attention to detail. 
• Team-player and team-builder, combined with the ability to inspire and motivate staff, volunteers, funders, and others toward common fundraising goals.
• Supervisory experience is a plus.
• Self-starter with high dependability, strong judgement, impeccable integrity, and a personal commitment to excellence.
• Strategic thinker and resourceful, creative problem-solver.
• High level of comfort giving and receiving feedback.
• Skilled user of the Microsoft Office suite and Salesforce. Demonstrated ability to learn new applications and support others in the adoption of new applications.
• Able to attend occasional evening meetings and events (12-18 times per year).

 We offer a competitive salary range commensurate with applicant’s experience and qualifications. We also provide generous benefits, including 100% paid health insurance for full-time employees, dental and vision coverage, employer contributions to a 403(b) retirement plan, and generous holiday, sick, and vacation days.

 How to Apply

 To apply, please email a cover letter and a resume to [email protected] with the subject line “Development Manager–[Your name].” Please note that because of the high volume of replies, we regret that we are not able to respond to all inquiries. For more information about LeaderSpring, please visit our website at www.leaderspring.org.

LeaderSpring, a project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workplace. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related) or conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions (ARC). Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application. Names of interested candidates will be held confidential until mutual interest is established.