Development Manager

The San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Development Manager to help grow philanthropic support for wildlife conservation, education, animal care, and capital initiatives. This position is responsible for building meaningful relationships with individual donors and prospects, developing tailored cultivation and stewardship strategies, and inspiring supporters to make a lasting investment in the Zoo’s mission.

The Development Manager will manage a portfolio of approximately 80–100 donors and 20 high-level prospects, with responsibility for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts ranging from $1,000 to $50,000+. Working closely with the Vice President of Development, executive leadership, volunteers, and colleagues across the Zoo, this individual will create and implement engagement strategies that strengthen relationships with current supporters while identifying and developing new philanthropic opportunities.

This role will also support the continued growth of the Zoo’s planned giving program by identifying legacy giving prospects and conducting introductory conversations about bequests, beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, and other giving opportunities. The Development Manager will also prepare proposals and donor materials, conduct prospect research, and maintain accurate records and reporting through Raiser’s Edge.

The ideal candidate is a skilled fundraising professional with strong interpersonal abilities, sound professional judgment, and a high degree of discretion. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a genuine enthusiasm for connecting people to the Zoo’s mission and impact.

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