Development Manager

Terner Labs seeks a driven and organized Development Manager to join our team. This mid-level role is ideal for someone with 4–7 years of nonprofit development experience who excels at both project management and relationship management.

The Development Manager will lead our fundraising operation, ensuring thoughtful donor cultivation, robust development operations, compelling donor communications, and engaging events. This position also includes a leading role in managing our engaged and active governing board and advisory board. The Development Manager will partner closely with senior leadership.

This is a new role and will report to Terner Labs’ Chief Operating Officer. The Development Manager will work closely with the Operations team, including the Finance Manager, Communications Manager, and Operations Manager, as well as organization principals, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment & Partnership Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Prospecting & Donor Relations (25%)

• Conduct prospect research for individuals and foundations, and prepare briefing materials for donor meetings
• Facilitate regular internal meetings to coordinate prospecting, stewardship, and team-wide development priorities
• Ensure that all communications, stewardship reports, and outreach activities are recorded in Salesforce
• Plan, schedule, and implement fundraising and donor relations projects and programs
• Lead the development of donor communications and materials
• Refine and implement our donor acknowledgment program
• Coordinate with the Terner Center to ensure a coordinated fundraising strategy

Development Operations (25%)

• Serve as internal administrator for Salesforce, helping to refine and implement workflows, reports, and dashboards
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of gifts and pledges
• Coordinate with the Finance Manager on grants management and tracking expenditures

Grant Writing and Reporting (15%)

• Project-manage and draft written materials such as grant proposals, concept notes, and donor reports in partnership with senior staff

Events (10%)

• Lead and support donor-facing stewardship events, frequently in coordination with the Terner Center

Board & Advisory Board Management (25%)

• Support the CEO in his role as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors
• Plan and execute logistical aspects of board meetings, including scheduling, agendas, pre-read materials, and minutes
• Track board terms, contributions, and engagement metrics; support board member recruitment and onboarding
• Manage communication between leadership and board members, ensuring follow-through on action items

Qualifications

• 4–7 years of nonprofit development, fundraising, or related experience
• Skilled in relationship development and donor cultivation, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to write clear, compelling donor-facing materials (concept notes, proposals, reports, stewardship communications)
• Experience with Salesforce (or another CRM) required; ability to build and optimize reports, dashboards, and workflows strongly preferred
• Strong organizational and project management skills; thrives on keeping complex processes moving smoothly
• Experience supporting or managing board relationships is a plus
• Ability to anticipate needs, prioritize competing deadlines, and work independently with high attention to detail
• Professionalism, discretion, and comfort working closely with leadership and high-level stakeholders

Terner Labs is a young organization with growth potential. The person serving in this position should be excited to join the team while we scale and be comfortable with the dynamism that entails. This means being open to fluidity, being willing to jump in and do what is necessary even if it isn’t in the job description, and being passionate about building the organization in partnership with the leadership team.

This position will be located in Oakland, CA, with opportunities for a limited hybrid work schedule (up to 40% remote).

Terner Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage individuals to apply who bring lived experience with issues of housing affordability and equity. Employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check conducted after a conditional offer has been extended. Terner Labs conducts background checks in accordance with applicable laws and with a commitment to equitable hiring practices.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, and disability, FSA and dependent care accounts, as well as 18 vacation days, one sick day a month, 14 paid holidays, paid parental leave, an annual professional development stipend, and the opportunity to participate in a generous retirement savings plan matching program.