Development Manager

Title: Development Manager

Reports To: Executive Director, Launchpad

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Status: Full Time Exempt (hybrid)

We value in-person collaboration; a minimum of three days in office per week is required.

Launchpad Background:

Launchpad is a “learn-and-earn” workforce program that prepares Philadelphia youth to thrive in a rapidly changing economy by building AI fluency alongside the durable and in-demand skills employers need. Students earn credentials through paid, applied work-based learning at every step, preparing them to move on to college, job training programs, or directly into high-wage careers. Our three-year model begins in 11th grade and continues through the critical first year beyond high school—rethinking this pivotal transition so that young people step into adulthood with choice, confidence, and a direct pathway into the future economy.

Vision: Young people thrive in an economy that works for everyone

Mission: Build accelerated pathways connecting high school students to high paying tech careers

General Responsibilities:

This individual will manage day-to-day fundraising operations and donor engagement for Launchpad, supporting the systems and processes needed to sustain and grow mission-critical work. They will be responsible for executing the full grant lifecycle—from tracking opportunities to ensuring compliance and delivering high-quality reports that demonstrate impact. Beyond grants, they will maintain the infrastructure that supports fundraising, including CRM systems, funder communications, and coordination across internal teams. This role also includes light communications support, managing social media presence, quarterly newsletters, and storytelling that brings the work to life for funders and the broader community. Working in close support of the Executive Director, they will provide essential coordination and execution support for individual donor cultivation, corporate partnerships, and strategic funding relationships that drive long-term sustainability.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Grant Management & Compliance: Oversee the full grant lifecycle including prospect research, submission calendars, proposal development support, compliance tracking, and timely reporting to funders.
• Funder Reporting & Relationship Stewardship: Maintain reporting calendars, coordinate deliverables across program staff, and ensure all funder communications reflect impact, professionalism, and alignment with organizational goals.
• CRM & Fundraising Systems Management: Implement and maintain systems for tracking donors, grants, and prospects; maintain data integrity; generate reports that inform strategy and decision-making.
• Documentation & Internal Coordination: Develop templates, workflows, and processes that streamline fundraising operations and ensure consistent, high-quality external communications.
• Executive Director Support: Provide direct operational support for ED-led fundraising activities, including individual donor cultivation, corporate partnerships, and major gift prospects.
• Event Sponsorship & Engagement: Secure and steward sponsorships for signature Launchpad events including the annual Ignite Pitch Competition, Demo Days, and Graduation; coordinate sponsor benefits, recognition, and engagement opportunities that deepen relationships and showcase student achievement.
• Communications & Storytelling: Contribute to Launchpad's social media presence, support the production of quarterly newsletters, and help develop content that highlights student success, program impact, and organizational growth to engage current and prospective funders.
• Financial Tracking & Budget Monitoring: Monitor grant budgets, track revenue against goals, and support the Executive Director in developing diversified funding strategies that reduce reliance on any single source.

The beliefs, mindsets, and skills you possess:

• Detail-Oriented Execution: Commitment to accuracy, follow-through, and meeting deadlines—especially when managing multiple grants, reports, and funder relationships simultaneously.
• Systems Thinking: Ability to design and manage interconnected fundraising processes, anticipating how data, deadlines, and deliverables flow across the organization.
• Mission-Driven Storytelling: Passion for translating program outcomes and student success into compelling narratives that resonate with funders and inspire continued investment.
• Donor-Centered Mindset: Deep respect for funders as partners in the mission, with a commitment to clear communication, transparency, and relationship stewardship.
• Operational Excellence: Focus on building scalable, efficient systems that support sustainable growth and reduce administrative burden on program staff.
• AI-Enabled Productivity: Comfort leveraging AI tools to accelerate research, streamline communications, enhance data analysis, and improve the quality and efficiency of fundraising operations.
• Proactive Communication: Ability to anticipate needs, flag risks early, and keep leadership informed with clarity and professionalism.
• Collaborative Leadership: Working across teams to gather information, coordinate deliverables, and ensure that fundraising efforts are grounded in real program impact.
• Adaptability & Resourcefulness: Comfortable navigating ambiguity, solving problems creatively, and building infrastructure in a growing organization.
• Equity-Driven: Belief that fundraising should center the voices and experiences of the young people we serve, and a commitment to seeking funders aligned with that vision.
• Growth Mindset: Eagerness to learn, iterate on systems, and embrace feedback to continually strengthen fundraising operations and impact.

Compensation: We are committed to offering compensation that is competitive and reflective of your experience. Launchpad provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the whole employee, including health coverage and generous paid time off.

Application Submission: Apply online at https://launchpadphilly.org/careers

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Building 21 is a non-profit organization that is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. Building 21’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of races, ethnicities, national origins, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, beliefs, religions, faiths and ideologies, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and levels of physical ability.