The Role
Leads a national major gifts program, directing Development Officers and expanding donor pipelines for major, leadership, and mega gifts. Oversees prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, fundraising strategy, grant and foundation appeals, donor research, CRM and Power BI practices, budgeting, reporting, and team development. Maintains a personal portfolio of high-net-worth prospects, collaborates with organizational leaders and volunteers, supports fundraising events, and advances corporate, foundation, government, and individual funding opportunities.
Summary Generated by Built In
Application Closing Date: November 2, 2026
Anticipated Start Date: December 1, 2026
Position Overview:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are seeking a Managing Director of Development to provide strategic direction and leadership for the continued growth of major philanthropic fundraising across the United States. This leader is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission by developing, executing, and leading a comprehensive major gifts program designed to grow philanthropic support. In collaboration with the Development team, other team members, and volunteers, the Managing Director of Development will lead efforts to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $10,000 or more. The primary responsibility is to activate the team of Development Officers to increase philanthropy by expanding a donor-centered pipeline of major donors ($10,000+), annual donors ($10,000+), leadership donors ($100,000+), and mega donors ($1,000,000+).
Responsibilities and Expectations:
To Apply: Please combine your cover letter, resume and three references into a single Word document or PDF file before uploading as part of your application on our recruitment website at: www.pheasantsforever.org/about-us/careers.
For more information: Contact Jordan L.K. Martincich, Pheasants Forever Vice President of Development, at 816-560-1070 or [email protected].
Anticipated Start Date: December 1, 2026
Position Overview:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are seeking a Managing Director of Development to provide strategic direction and leadership for the continued growth of major philanthropic fundraising across the United States. This leader is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission by developing, executing, and leading a comprehensive major gifts program designed to grow philanthropic support. In collaboration with the Development team, other team members, and volunteers, the Managing Director of Development will lead efforts to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $10,000 or more. The primary responsibility is to activate the team of Development Officers to increase philanthropy by expanding a donor-centered pipeline of major donors ($10,000+), annual donors ($10,000+), leadership donors ($100,000+), and mega donors ($1,000,000+).
Responsibilities and Expectations:
- Work collaboratively with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever internal and external shareholders to successfully achieve strategic priorities.
- Provide strategic direction and oversight of the Development Officer Team, including coaching and supervision of team members, performance evaluation, professional development, and effective coordination of work.
- Work closely with the Development team to plan, implement, and coordinate multi-year strategies and plans for gift prospects, including corporate, foundation, and individual donors.
- Serve as a member of the Development Leadership Team.
- Maintain a personal portfolio of high-net-worth major gift prospects to cultivate, solicit, and steward.
- Collaborate with VP of Development and other Directors of Development to operate a comprehensive major gifts program.
- Identify and pursue donors, strategic partners, and funders to advance the organization’s priorities with respect to revenue growth and mission delivery.
- Develop fundraising initiatives consistent with the organization’s strategies that secure new private, corporate, foundation, and government funding opportunities.
- Implement best practices in areas of gift processing, data management, and donor relations.
- Execute and deliver fundraising strategies with cross-functional teams to expand major gift fundraising and grow revenue.
- Partner with Development Officers, Organization Leaders, and Volunteers to cultivate prospects and secure philanthropic commitments.
- Develop and implement database management tactics and donor research to expand the major gifts pipeline.
- Provide leadership for the successful delivery of Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic.
- Ensure that appropriate CRM, PowerBI, and data processing practices are developed and implemented.
- Utilize CRM, PowerBI, and other software for multifaceted business functions.
- Administer the major gifts program budget, prepare reports on annual progress toward goals, and deliver in-depth analysis.
- Foster positive relationships with team members and supporters. Promote a cohesive fundraising team of employees and volunteers to implement a comprehensive major gift program and support other fundraising activities.
- Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned. Travel involved.
- A strong passion for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission.
- B.A. or B.S. degree or higher. At least 6 years nonprofit fundraising with 4 years dedicated to major gift fundraising leadership, or relevant experience leading high performing teams in a remote work environment. Experience with comprehensive fundraising campaigns is also desired.
- An energetic, well-organized, and detailed individual who has a strong track-record of leadership, fundraising, business development, and success.
- A strategic thinker with an innovative mindset and strengths in efficiency, timeliness, multi-tasking, teamwork, and attention to detail.
- Experience working with fundraising principles and practices.
- Knowledge, coursework, or other training in current trends in charitable giving, including areas of comprehensive campaigns, major gifts and planned giving.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and coach effectively.
- Strong fundraising skills in major gift solicitation, foundation appeals, grant writing, and planned giving.
- Computer literacy with a proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Power BI; experience with complex customer relationship management software.
- Superb written and oral communication skills with ability to convey the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever mission.
- Superior interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively.
To Apply: Please combine your cover letter, resume and three references into a single Word document or PDF file before uploading as part of your application on our recruitment website at: www.pheasantsforever.org/about-us/careers.
For more information: Contact Jordan L.K. Martincich, Pheasants Forever Vice President of Development, at 816-560-1070 or [email protected].
Pheasants Forever is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, age, disability status, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including but not limited to selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- At least 6 years of nonprofit fundraising experience
- At least 4 years of major gift fundraising leadership experience, or relevant experience leading high-performing remote teams
- Experience with comprehensive fundraising campaigns
- Strong track record of leadership, fundraising, business development, and success
- Experience with fundraising principles and practices
- Knowledge, coursework, or training in charitable giving trends, comprehensive campaigns, major gifts, and planned giving
- Demonstrated ability to lead and coach effectively
- Strong skills in major gift solicitation, foundation appeals, grant writing, and planned giving
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Power BI
- Experience with complex customer relationship management software
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Superior interpersonal and presentation skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively
- Passion for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
Pheasants Forever is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to conserving pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy.
