Location: Santa Cruz, CA (with some telework options)

Supervisor: Executive Director, Monterey Bay

Status: Full-time, exempt

What We Need

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a chapter of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, based in Santa Cruz, California, is seeking a seasoned Development Manager to play a pivotal role in fundraising and donor relations efforts with a unique emphasis on managing and enhancing our special events. This high-level position combines CRM management, donor engagement, grants management, and event planning, requiring a proactive and innovative approach to nurturing our donor base and expanding our reach.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation leverages local Santa Cruz County, Monterey County and Silicon Valley partnerships to support our conservation, education, and research missions. Our work is vital for global environmental health, and our team is passionate about marine conservation. To learn more, visit: www.montereybayfoundation.org

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the health of the ocean, coasts and Great Lakes for current and future generations.

What You’ll Do

Development and CRM Management :

• Lead Salesforce CRM administration, ensuring data integrity and system optimization.
• Expand our Salesforce ecosystem, integrating tools for event management, donor engagement, and fundraising campaigns, (for example, GiveLively, Mailchimp, Thankster, online donation forms, event registration and ticketing, peer-to-peer fundraising tools, and virtual auctions.
• Train staff in CRM best practices
• Create reports to drive fundraising strategies.
• Develop a plan to update, respond to, track, and follow-up on all prospective and lapsed donors by focusing on annual individual giving and in-kind giving.
• Research prospects and work with the Executive Director to cultivate a year-round pipeline of potential donors, including individuals, foundations and other organizations.
• Provide research and other support for the Executive Director, trustees, and staff who are engaged in the donor cultivation and solicitation process.
• Manage donor inquiries, ensuring exceptional service and engagement.
• Perform other duties, as requested by the Executive Director.

Special Events:

• Strategically plan and execute special events, including the annual Sea Stars Celebration, to enhance donor relationships and increase funding.
• Manage sponsor benefit activations for Sea Stars Gala and other Foundation events, focusing on building relationships and long-term engagement with partners.
• Provide logistical support for event committees, enhancing the effectiveness of our fundraising events.
• Represent the Foundation externally at industry functions and donor events, including workplace giving fairs, VIP funder cultivation opportunities, networking socials, and conferences as needed.

Grants and Communications:

• Work across departments to track grant deliverables, impact reports, and deadlines to ensure compliance with partner requirements and internal and external approval policies.
• Collaborate with the Communications Department for fundraising messaging and cause-marketing campaigns.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with Salesforce and donor database management.
• Proven track record in donor relations and special event planning.
• Ability to prepare complex reports and records.
• Strong communication skills and exacting attention to detail, with skills in proofreading and formatting documents.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Very strong interpersonal skills to work with donors effectively and courteously, inspiring their desire to engage with our Foundation.

Why You Will Love Us

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (“Foundation”) is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, working with communities to conserve and expand those special places for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. The Foundation works in close partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase stewardship of our ocean and Great Lakes through on-the- water conservation projects, and education and public outreach activities, and by support for research. Together, we safeguard species and the places they call home, and support coastal communities and economies.

• Dedicated and passionate staff committed to marine and Great Lakes Conservation
• Generous leave policy, plus paid time off the week between December 25 and January 1; and 12 paid holidays
• Health benefits: Medical with an FSA option; dental, and vision
• Foundation paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Preparing for the Future: 403(B) with employer contribution after one year of service
• Commuter Benefits

Compensation and Benefits: $60-$75K based on experience. The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package.

Applications must include a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references.

Applications received by February 28th will be preferred.

Location: Santa Cruz, CA

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The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This commitment applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The Foundation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.