Senior Development Manager

ROLE SUMMARY

Mental Wellness Center is seeking an experienced and relationship-driven Senior Development Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership for the organization’s fundraising and development activities.

Working closely with executive leadership, the Senior Development Manager will help shape and implement MWC’s annual fundraising strategy while overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Development and Communications Department. This position leads donor cultivation and stewardship, fundraising campaigns and events, corporate and foundation partnerships, grant administration support, donor communications, and donor database operations.

MWC is seeking a candidate with the experience, leadership capacity, and ambition to potentially grow into a Development Director role within approximately 12 to 24 months, based on successful performance and organizational need. The selected candidate will have opportunities to expand their leadership responsibilities and help shape the future direction of the department.

CORE RESPONSIBILITES

Development Strategy & Department Leadership

• Partner with executive leadership to develop and implement Mental Wellness Center’s annual and long-term fundraising strategies.
• Translate organizational priorities and fundraising goals into measurable development plans, timelines, and activities.
• Provide strategic recommendations regarding donor engagement, annual giving, sponsorships, events, grants, and other revenue opportunities.
• Help identify opportunities to diversify and expand the organization’s philanthropic revenue.
• Develop and strengthen department procedures, workflows, reporting systems, and fundraising practices.
• Manage the day-to-day priorities and operations of the Development and Communications Department.
• Provide direction, coaching, and oversight to development staff, interns, volunteers, and consultants, as assigned

Fundraising & Donor Stewardship

• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective donors, sponsors, businesses, foundations, and community partners.
• Coordinate donor meetings, tours, presentations, engagement opportunities, and individualized stewardship plans.
• Prepare donor correspondence, acknowledgment letters, impact reports, and other stewardship communications.
• Collaborate with leadership and Board members on donor outreach and solicitation activities.
• Develop strategies to increase donor acquisition, engagement, retention, and giving.

Campaigns, Grants, & Resource Development

• Lead annual campaigns, year-end appeals, online fundraising, sponsorships, and special initiatives.
• Coordinate with internal departments to collect program data, outcomes, stories, budgets, and supporting materials.
• Partner with the external Grants Manager to coordinate grant applications, reports, documentation, and deadlines.
• Maintain a calendar of campaigns, events, reports, and development activities.
• Identify corporate, foundation, matching gift, and other philanthropic opportunities.

Events & Community Engagement

• Lead fundraising events, donor cultivation activities, sponsorship programs, and community engagement opportunities.
• Manage event goals, budgets, timelines, logistics, registration, volunteers, auction procurement, and sponsorship fulfillment.
• Coordinate post-event acknowledgments, stewardship, gift processing, and performance reporting.
• Represent Mental Wellness Center professionally at community events, networking opportunities, and partnership meetings.

Donor Database, Reporting & Compliance

• Administer the donor management system and ensure the accuracy, confidentiality, and integrity of fundraising records.
• Oversee gift entry, acknowledgments, donor records, pledges, campaign tracking, and fundraising documentation.
• Generate fundraising dashboards, donor reports, campaign analyses, and revenue projections.
• Analyze donor behavior, retention, fundraising trends, and campaign performance to inform strategy.
• Collaborate with Finance to reconcile gifts and maintain accurate fundraising and financial records.
• Ensure fundraising practices comply with organizational policies and applicable legal and ethical standards.

Executive, Board, & Organizational Partnership

• Prepare fundraising reports, presentations, dashboards, and strategic updates for leadership and the Board.
• Support leadership and Board members with donor meetings, solicitations, presentations, and stewardship activities.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, committees, and other organizational activities as assigned.
• Collaborate across departments to align fundraising priorities, communications, and organizational goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications, nonprofit management, marketing, public administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, philanthropy, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of donor stewardship, annual giving, sponsorships, fundraising events, and philanthropic best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute strategically while managing day-to-day fundraising operations.
• Strong leadership, project management, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to analyze fundraising data and translate findings into effective action.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with DonorPerfect, Canva, or comparable systems.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record when driving is required.
• Passion for advancing mental health, community wellness, and MWC’s mission.

Placement within the salary range will be based on qualifications, experience, internal equity, and organizational needs.

Ready to strengthen community investment in mental wellness? Apply today.