Senior Manager of Donor Engagement

Position Summary

The Senior Manager of Donor Engagement is a strategic leader responsible for shaping and advancing the organization’s donor engagement philosophy. This role drives the vision and execution of a comprehensive stewardship and cultivation strategy that deepens donor relationships, enhances donor experience, and strengthens long-term philanthropic partnerships. Collaborating closely with senior leadership and frontline fundraisers, the Senior Manager ensures that stewardship efforts are aligned with organizational goals and donor expectations, fostering a culture of gratitude, transparency, and impact.

Strategic Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction and evolution of the Donor Engagement function, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and fundraising priorities.
• Serve as a thought partner to the Senior Director and executive leadership, contributing to the development of enterprise-wide donor engagement strategies.
• Champion a data-informed approach to donor experience, leveraging insights to refine engagement strategies and enhance donor satisfaction and retention.
• Cultivate a high-performing team culture by mentoring and developing staff, fostering innovation, and promoting cross-functional collaboration.
• Represent the Donor Engagement function in planning, budgeting, and organizational decision-making processes.

Strategic Stewardship and Engagement

• Design and oversee the implementation of a multi-tiered stewardship framework that delivers personalized, meaningful engagement across donor segments.
• Partner with leadership to craft high-impact, high-touch stewardship experiences for top-tier donors, including customized communications and recognition strategies.
• Lead the integration of stewardship into the organization’s broader donor journey, ensuring seamless collaboration across Development, Marketing, and Community Impact teams.
• Guide the development and use of stewardship tools, content, and platforms to support scalable and consistent donor engagement.
• Oversee the measurement and evaluation of stewardship effectiveness, using KPIs and dashboards to inform continuous improvement.

Donor Experience Innovation

• Collaborate with the Events team to reimagine donor engagement opportunities, ensuring they reflect strategic priorities and donor interests.
• Lead efforts to modernize donor communications and engagement channels, incorporating digital tools and storytelling to enhance impact.
• Serve as a strategic advisor on donor relations best practices, staying abreast of trends and innovations in philanthropy and donor engagement.

• degree or advanced degree preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with a focus on donor stewardship and engagement in a complex, high-volume environment.
• Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives, manage cross-functional teams, and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong writing skills and experience crafting donor reports and correspondence.
• Strong analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with CRM systems and data analytics tools; familiarity with StratusLive is a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered philanthropy.

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Parental leave
• On-site Gym
• $3,000 annual employer-paid ThrivePass lifestyle and wellness benefit program
• $250 employee referral bonus