Development Manager

Position Summary

The role of the Development Manager is to conceptualize, develop, and promote strategies and programs that cultivate strong lasting relationships between the Iowa FFA Foundation, potential and current donors. This individual must be energetic and passionate about fostering opportunities for students to reach their greatest potential through the engagement and realization of the philanthropic goals of our contributors. The successful applicant must possess superb organizational skills, the ability to multi-task and work under tight deadlines, be motivated to learn and flexible to change. This individual will develop marketing tactics and strategies to onboard new donors while enhancing engagement with current donors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Fundraising

• Build, manage and optimize a portfolio of 150 qualified donors, review and qualify new donor prospects while supporting and cultivating previous and current donors.
• Be a team-player with the development team to achieve fundraising goals and priorities
• Travel (primarily in-state) to establish and nurture long-lasting relationships with donors – with the end goal of proposing and closing donations.
• Work independently and collaboratively with the Foundation team on a variety of donor-centered tasks and activities including special events.
• Communicate in a variety of ways for a variety of purposes. (Donor correspondence, contact reports and proposals, briefings and impact reports, communication of donor wishes to team ag. ed. members.
• Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to create promotional materials and strategies that effectively convey the organization’s mission and fundraising needs to various audiences.
• Conduct research on emerging philanthropic trends and potential new funding sources, including cryptocurrency and online fundraising platforms, to diversify and increase revenue streams.
• Manage the development database, ensuring accurate and timely entry of donor information, gift processing, and reporting for internal and external use.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Required:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in fundraising.
• Bachelor’s degree from accredited university.
• A proven track record of fundraising success – including major gifts and/or corporate philanthropy
• Fluent with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Incredible passion, energy and excitement to meet people and share our brand’s story
• Excellent communication skills, including writing, proof reading skills, and speaking
• Excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism in person, phone, and by e-mail
• Unwavering desire to be a team player
• Great customer service ethic and high expectations for quality
• Exceptional organization skills
• Deep commitment to and enthusiasm for raising visibility and engaging Iowan’s in the development of leadership in youth and agriculture.

Preferred:

• Previous experience with FFA and agricultural education
• Previous experience with in a non-profit organization
• Significant previous experience with software such as: donor CRM’s

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Sitting: Must be able to remain in a stationary position while working at a desk, and at a computer
• Use of Hands: Constantly operating a computer, phone, and/or other office equipment such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard
• Hearing: Must have the ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech via telephone, in-person, and other remote speech
• Speaking: Must have the ability to communicate, express, and/or exchange ideas by means of spoken word. This role requires comfort with public speaking and the ability to present ideas clearly that are important
• Vision: Must have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing client presentations, viewing a computer, reading, and researching information
• Travel: This role often requires travel to meet clients and/or to attend industry events. This may involve air travel, driving, or extended periods of sitting
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

The company is an equal opportunity employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.