Senior Development Manager

About Dēmos. Dēmos is a non-profit public policy organization working to build a just, inclusive multiracial democracy and economy. We build power with and for Black and brown communities through our strategic partnerships with state-based and grassroots organizations.  

On the eve of the organization’s 25th anniversary, we are celebrating a successful legacy that institutionalized the inherent connection between our democracy and economy. From campaign finance reform to credit card debt to student debt, Dēmos has built campaigns and won structural reform that has changed the way communities wield civic, political, and economic power in this country.  

Over the next three years, we will work to realize the next iteration of Dēmos' legacy by transforming our strategies and organizational structure to unapologetically build power with and for Black and brown communities. As a national public policy institution, we see our role as the nexus between federal and state strategies, leveraging our policy, research, and narrative expertise to uplift and enhance the insights and experience of our state-based and grassroots partners, advancing comprehensive campaigns to realize the promise of a just, inclusive multiracial democracy and economy.  

Senior Development Manager. Working closely with the Director of Development, the Senior Development Manager is responsible for implementing the departmental fundraising plan, working flexibly across donor constituencies as determined by team capacity and strategic opportunities, and helping to ensure development operations and back-end processes are streamlined and supportive of the organization’s fundraising goals. As a senior member of the development team, this position will lead on developing and executing a plan to grow Dēmos’ individual giving program, while also supporting the work of stewarding and cultivating the organization’s institutional donors in partnership with other colleagues. The person in this role will work collaboratively across the organization, with program staff and executive leadership. The most competitive candidates will demonstrate alignment with Dēmos’ organizational values and priorities, familiarity with the fundraising landscape for policy and advocacy work, and strong written and verbal communication skills.  Previous experience/facility with Salesforce and Asana is a plus.  

Principal responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

• Work in collaboration with the Director of Development to develop and implement an annual fundraising plan that secures about $1M in new revenue while growing awards and gifts from current funders and donors.  
• Manage a modest portfolio of current and prospective donors and funders, moving them through the lifecycle of an award or gift, ensuring tailored and timely communication as appropriate, and executing bespoke stewardship and engagement opportunities. 
• Oversee prospect research and moves management work on the team, including identifying prospective funders and donors, crafting engagement strategies and coordinating the preparation of prospect research and meeting briefings for leadership in advance of meetings and events. 
• Develop and implement a multi-year strategy for building out a strong individual giving program, including digital strategies to acquire new small dollar donors and a targeted engagement plan to identify and cultivate new $5,000+ donors. 
• Craft first-draft concept papers, proposals, reports, and other fundraising-related communications in collaboration with colleagues on the Development team and across the organization. 
• Assist in the implementation of ongoing communication and engagement strategies across the team, including the strategy and conception of fundraising events.  
• Work with the Development Associate and others to ensure operational processes and procedures are streamlined and effective, meeting the changing needs of the team as the fundraising program grows. 
• Other duties as assigned by your supervisor; some travel required. 

 The most qualified candidates must demonstrate the following experience and skills:  

 Strategic thinker: You are a strong top-level systems thinker. You like putting together a well thought out plan and implementing that plan to success. You are analytical and can think strategically about bringing together numerous moving parts and relationships into clear, succinct strategies and goals. 

Understand Racial Equity. You have demonstrated understanding of the role that racial inequity plays in our society and in movement building and have demonstrated an ability to effectively communicate and collaborate across difference.  

Natural people person: You’re naturally a social person and enjoy spending time engaging and interacting with people. You thrive on being able to identify a person’s passions and interests, see where those align with Dēmos’ mission and vision, and you are naturally thoughtful in your engagement.  

Prior professional major giving experience and comfortability in asking for money. You should bring previous experience in making major gift requests and feel comfortable and confident in the preparation you have done in the run up to making a sizable ask.  

The most qualified candidates will also demonstrate some of the following experience and skills:  

Demonstrated understanding of or experience managing complex projects; planning and coordinating workflow for yourself and others.

Work Location: Dēmos is working to adopt a hybrid, remote-first work model with some in-person meetings taking place in the current offices in New York City or Washington, D.C. Candidates based in any continental U.S. location with the ability to travel are encouraged to apply. 

Salary and Benefits: The annual salary range for this position is $105,000 - $110,000.  Salary is determined based on job responsibilities and other factors determined by law. For purposes of internal equity, Dēmos will not negotiate salaries outside of this posted range. Dēmos has a generous benefits package, which includes health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 11 paid holidays, 18 vacation days per year, 5 floating holidays per year, 12 sick days per year, paid time off the last week of August, and Dec. 24 – through the first week of January, and a voluntary 403b plan. 

How to Apply: Please upload a concise, thoughtful cover letter and resume that speaks to how your experience and skillset meet the qualifications for this role. We are looking for an immediate hire so applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls or emails please. 

Dēmos is an Equal Opportunity Employer--people of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.