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 movement partners.

About the Role: The Senior Development Manager serves a critical role in Dēmos’ fundraising and development efforts. The work involves owning, cultivating, and stewarding a small portfolio of funders and donors, collaborating with and supporting leadership staff in the implementation of fundraising strategies, planning and executing funder and donor events, and identifying prospective donors and funders to grow Demos’ philanthropic support.

Job Description: Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Portfolio Management:

• Manage a small portfolio of funders and donors and assign new and prospective funders and donors to other portfolios in consultation with the Chief of Development and Communications.
• Coordinate and schedule donor meetings as requested, manage or support development events and funder/donor engagement opportunities, and identify other strategic spaces/platforms that can be leveraged for organizational branding or executive presence purposes.
• Address routine questions from funders within portfolio, ensure recurring touchpoints throughout the year, and respond to surveys and other requests for data and feedback in a timely fashion.
• Participate in funder and donor calls as appropriate and ensure timely and accurate recordkeeping of foundation and grant-related information, outreach, and historical data in Salesforce.
• Assist the CDO and the Development Director in the management of their funder/donor portfolios, responding to requests for scheduling assistance, material preparation, and draft correspondence in a timely manner

Pipeline and Prospecting:

• Create and manage the funding pipeline system and processes to support strong cultivation and stewardship tactics, timely engagement with current and prospective funders and donors, and critical intervention for “at-risk” sources of funding.
• Manage prospecting functions for the Development team: identifying potential funders and donors, conducting initial research to determine alignment and funding likelihood, crafting briefs for leadership and offering strategy recommendations on how to engage with high priority prospects.
• Work closely with the development associate to ensure prospect research and meeting briefings for leadership are prepared in advance of meetings and events.
• Leverage recent grant reports or proposals, organizational emails, messaging frameworks and other relevant materials to draft talking points and other meeting and event materials as requested.

Philanthropic Partnerships:

• Develop a deep understanding of and be able to clearly articulate Dēmos’ issue areas, work priorities and products to a funder/donor audience.
• Serve as the Development liaison to the Economic Justice team, managing program alignment and engagement with funders and donors, tracking grant deliverables, reporting, and proposal deadlines, and keeping up to date on programmatic activities and impact.
• Serve as the lead writer on economic justice language for development materials – e.g., reports/proposals/other fundraising communications.
• Other duties as assigned from time to time by your supervisor; some travel required.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following experience and skills:

• Demonstrated experience of direct, successful fundraising in a non-profit organization.
• Experience with at least one of Dēmos’ core programmatic areas – Democracy Reform or Economic Justice – and the funding landscape for that issue area.
• Excellent writing and speaking skills that can convey why the work of Demos aligns with a prospective funders’ interests or priorities. Writing skills are essential for drafting compelling grant proposals, concise grant reports and personal donor correspondence on behalf of senior leadership.
• Project management and organizational skills that ensure grant deliverables are met, and funders and donors are cultivated and stewarded in ways that assist in growing Dēmos’ philanthropic support. This includes in-person and online event planning and coordination.
• Interpersonal and relationship-building skills that enhance your collaboration with people both inside and outside the organization.

The most competitive candidates will demonstrate the following skills and experiences:

• Developed Racial Equity Analysis & Practice. They have a well-developed racial equity analysis and consistently integrate this analysis into their work projects and personal interactions by addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions on race, class, and other group identities within the context of their job responsibilities and projects.
• Experience working with both institutional and individual donors.
• Familiarity with the philanthropic landscape for democracy work.
• Excellent prospect research skills – experience using a service like Candid to identify prospective funders and create cultivation strategies.
• Familiarity with platforms such as Salesforce, Asana, and Act Blue.
• Basic understanding of how proposal and project budgets are put together, and ability to work with finance staff to ensure timely and accurate financial and narrative grant reporting.

Work Location: Dēmos has adopted a hybrid, remote-first work model with occasional in-person meetings taking place in our 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 starting salary range for a Senior Development Manager role 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 the 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.