The full-time Development Manager, Southern California position is located within the Development Department, in NRDC's sustainable Santa Monica, California office – The Robert Redford Building. The Development Manager reports to the Regional Director of Development, Southern California.
While assisting the Regional Director of Development in a wide variety of fundraising initiatives involving Major Gifts (as defined as individuals, family foundations and event attendees) and Planned Gifts in Southern California, the Manager of Development also assumes responsibility for their own portfolio of major gift donors. The Manager will take a lead in implementing the fundraising strategies for these supporters and prospecting new sources of philanthropic support; including cultivating, soliciting and upgrading donors and prospects. In addition, the Manager will help oversee theoperations of the NRDC Los Angeles Leadership Council, the region’s premier volunteer donor body. This position requires someone who can multi-task in a fast-paced and energetic environment.
- Creates and implements moves management strategies for the cultivation and solicitation of a portfolio of approximately 80 Major Gifts, Gift Planning donors and prospects, and event attendees in Southern California.
- Manages and tracks deliverables for Major Gifts and Gift Planning prospects and donors in Southern California.
- Helps craft and implement stewardship initiatives to individually recognize major supporters and Gift Planning members in Southern California.
- Helps write a variety of fundraising materials, including cover letters, thank you notes, renewal requests, and other documents as needed for Major Gifts and Gift Planning donors.
- Conducts research as needed to identify major gifts donors and prospects.
- Helps manage and prepare programming and communications for the L.A. Leadership Council.
- Plans donor cultivation and stewardship events on an as-needed basis. Helps develops and implement strategies for identifying and inviting major gifts prospects to events.
- Other tasks as needed.
- Minimum of five years of fundraising experience
- Knowledge of major donor development best practice
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to make decisions based upon sound judgment, analysis, wisdom, and experience
- Utilizes discretion and maintains donor confidentiality
- Experience working with trustees and major supporters in a professional manner
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks and perform well under deadlines
- Ability to work independently and be proactive
- Strong, collaborative team member
- Sound decision making
- Adept at performing donor/prospect research
- Adept at planning and executing small-scale events
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Knowledge of fundraising CRM software
- Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends for special functions or community events
- Experience working in the environmental sector or on political/issue campaigns a plus.