Development Manager

This newly created position will be a relationship- and strategy-forward role that reports directly to the Executive Director. The Executive Director has strong relationships with key funders and actively fundraises. This role ensures that engagement with those funders-from preparation to follow-through-is thoughtful, well-coordinated, and strategically aligned.

The Development Manager:

• Elevates opportunities to increase the Alliance's visibility and network with investors and potential investors, including high-net worth individuals
• Works closely with the Deputy Director, Communications and Strategy, to develop investor messaging that is tightly aligned with the Alliance's differentiating positioning
• Coordinates with the Deputy Director, Advocacy and Impact, to bring advocacy and state-level insight into funder requests and reports
• Ensures consistent, value-added stewardship throughout the year
• Maintains high-level funder intel and ecosystem awareness
• Leads grant calendar management and manages proposal/report drafting (with communications and programs partners)
• Surfaces new funding opportunities (foundation, corporation, individuals)

Responsibilities

In this role you will:

Revenue Generation/Fundraising Strategy Development

• Execute and refine the overall revenue generation/fundraising strategy.

Funder Relationship Management

• Maintain a 360° view of each funder: priorities, timelines, staff changes, strategic shifts, issue trends
• Develop and update relationship action plans for each funder
• Prepare call briefs, talking points, follow-up emails, and stewardship messages
• Join funder calls, listen for insights and opportunities, note action items
• Monitor funder communications, newsletters, and announcements for opportunities or red flags
• Coordinate a consistent rhythm of funder engagement (check-ins, updates, and milestone sharing) working with the Executive Director and other staff to ensure timely outreach

Proposal Writing and Project Management

• Own the grants calendar, deadlines, and org-wide workflows
• Project manage proposals and reports across communications and program teams
• Draft or co-draft proposals, concept notes, and narrative sections with staff team
• Build and maintain proposal and report templates

Prospecting and Ecosystem Scanning

• Track developments in the funder ecosystem relevant to the Alliance mission
• Identify aligned prospects and recommend engagement strategies
• Build pipelines (leads, intel, connections)

Internal Collaboration

• Work with staff to translate program direction into funder-ready language
• Coordinate with communications on messaging, annual materials, and funder updates
• Collaborate with finance on budgets and grant-related revenue forecasts

Systems

• Upgrade or maintain CRM/database practices
• Ensure funder touchpoints are documented and deliverables are clearly tracked
• Build routines that create clarity and consistency

To be successful in the role, you'll need:

• Demonstrated experience (4+ years) shaping and executing a strategic vision and plan for philanthropic partnerships
• Proven ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including internal staff and funder representatives
• Experience in funder research and analysis, including prospecting and aligning donor interests with organizational priorities
• Strong grant management skills, with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and managing priorities with precision
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex issues and programmatic work in compelling, funder-aligned language
• Experience managing multiple, high-value partnerships simultaneously
• Knowledge of the charitable sector and the philanthropic landscape
• The ability to travel 3-5 times per year (1-4 days per trip) for organizational events and network convenings, * Experience cultivating community with a network of members, affiliates, or grantees
• Experience working at the state level and/or multi-state networks
• Experience with CRM systems (such as Insightly) and knowledge management platforms
• Experience working in fully remote team settings