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Senior Development Manager Jobs in Washington, DC

As a Senior Business Development Manager,you'llbe key to Ecosystem's growth, leading the acquisition of multi-million-dollar energy infrastructure projects that redefine efficiency and sustainability ...

SJCS is looking for a Senior Development Associate that thrives on building relationships and ... Manage and cultivate an assigned portfolio of individual donors throughout the DMV. * Maintain ...

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Senior Development Manager information

See Washington, DC salary details

$51.5K

$164.2K

$252K

How much do senior development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior development manager in Washington, DC is $164,163.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,400.00 and $195,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior development manager?

A Senior Development Manager is a leadership professional responsible for overseeing teams of developers or engineers, managing project timelines, and ensuring the successful delivery of software or product development projects. They play a key role in strategic planning, resource allocation, and mentoring junior staff. Senior Development Managers collaborate with stakeholders to define project goals, ensure quality standards, and drive continuous improvement within the development process. Their experience enables them to bridge the gap between technical teams and business objectives, ensuring that projects align with organizational goals.

How does a senior development manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success?

A Senior Development Manager regularly works with product managers, designers, quality assurance, and operations teams to align project goals and timelines. They facilitate communication between these groups, resolve blockers, and ensure that technical solutions meet both business requirements and user needs. This role often involves leading strategic planning sessions, coordinating sprints, and conducting regular check-ins to monitor progress and adjust priorities. Effective collaboration is key to delivering projects on time and fostering a positive, high-performing team environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior development manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Development Manager, you need extensive experience in software development, project management, and leadership, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with agile methodologies, version control systems like Git, and tools such as JIRA or Azure DevOps is typically required. Exceptional communication, team-building, and strategic thinking skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure effective project delivery, team motivation, and alignment with business goals in a dynamic technology environment.

What is the difference between Senior Development Manager vs Software Development Manager?

AspectSenior Development ManagerSoftware Development Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Computer Science or related field; extensive experience in software developmentBachelor's/Master's in Computer Science or related field; experience in software project management
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple development teams, strategic planning, cross-department collaborationManages software development teams, focuses on project delivery and technical leadership
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, software firms, IT departmentsSoftware companies, tech startups, IT divisions
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared with Software Development Manager regarding leadership scope and seniority

The main difference is that a Senior Development Manager typically has broader strategic responsibilities and oversees multiple teams or projects, while a Software Development Manager focuses more on managing software projects and technical teams. Both roles require similar technical credentials but differ in scope and seniority.

How much do senior development managers make in the US?

Senior development managers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $120,000 to $150,000, depending on industry, location, and experience. They often have advanced skills in project management, leadership, and technical expertise, which can influence compensation levels.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Development Manager jobs in Washington, DC?

For Senior Development Manager jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Senior Development Manager job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $164,163 per year, or $78.9 per hour.

Senior Development Advisor (Remote)

Institute For Humane Studies

Arlington, VA โ€ข On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Disclaimer:
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Position Summary
Primary Duty
The Senior Development Advisor is a front-line fundraiser responsible for qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of major-gift donors and prospects capable of five- and six-figure commitments. Reporting to the Managing Director of Development & Communications, this role leads the full gift cycle for a defined portfolio within the Intellectual Builders donor community and the corporate giving segment, balancing sustained management of active relationships with active qualification and development of new prospects. Core areas of ownership include portfolio and moves management, major-gift solicitation and closing, corporate relationship development, and accurate maintenance of the portfolio's pipeline data.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Portfolio Management & Donor Engagement
  • Manages a portfolio of 100-150 major-gift prospects and donors, with primary accountability for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across the full gift cycle for five- and six-figure commitments.
  • Develops and implements individualized cultivation and solicitation plans for each relationship, aligned with donor interests and IHS programmatic priorities.
  • Builds and manages a personal solicitation calendar, conducting donor visits, presenting funding opportunities, and closing five- and six-figure gifts and multi-year commitments.
  • Participates in the moves management program and portfolio review cadence maintained across the development team.

Prospect Development
  • Identifies and qualifies new prospects and initiates relationships from first contact, including a substantial volume of direct outreach to prospects not yet active in the portfolio.
  • Owns relationship development within the Intellectual Builders donor community and establishes sustained staff ownership of the corporate giving segment as a dedicated internal portfolio.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Executive Engagement
  • Coordinates with Development Operations on pipeline data, projections, gift processing, and acknowledgments; with Portfolio Management on moves strategy and executive engagement requests; and with the Foundations team where individual or corporate relationships intersect institutional funders.
  • Partners with Communications & Marketing on donor-facing proposals, cases for support, and materials, and with Programs and program scholars on intellectual content, site visits, and donor engagement.
  • Engages executive leadership and scholars for high-level donor relationships and key commitments in accordance with established engagement criteria, retaining ownership of relationships and decisions below that threshold.

Portfolio Administration & Reporting
  • Creates and maintains accurate, current records of all portfolio activity in Salesforce, including opportunities, contact reports, cultivation status, and solicitation plans.
  • Supports pipeline planning and gift forecasting through timely documentation and portfolio review participation.

Supervisory Responsibilities
This role has no supervisory responsibilities.
Required Qualifications
  • 5+ years of front-line major gift fundraising experience, including a documented record of closing five- and six-figure commitments.
  • Demonstrated experience qualifying prospects and initiating donor relationships through direct, cold outreach.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to engage donors across diverse professional and ideological backgrounds.
  • Experience with CRM platforms (Salesforce), including independent creation and maintenance of one's own opportunities, activities, and contact reports.
  • Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage a complex, multi-stage national portfolio with consistent follow-through.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in corporate or institutional giving.
  • Experience fundraising within a think tank, university, or policy-oriented nonprofit.
  • Familiarity with moves management methodology and portfolio review practices.
  • Knowledge of and appreciation for the classical liberal tradition.

Working Conditions
Travel
IHS operates remotely; this role requires approximately 2-3 weeks per year of travel for organization-wide staff gatherings and on-site collaboration.
In addition, this role includes donor-related travel of approximately 30-40% to support donor and prospect visits, cultivation events, and institutional engagement activities.
Schedule / Hours
Full-time, Monday - Friday, 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. ET.
Physical Requirements / Work Environment
This role is primarily a sedentary, office/remote role. Essential physical functions include prolonged periods working at a computer, frequent use of a keyboard and screen, and the ability to communicate and exchange information verbally and in writing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
During in-person programs and events, this role also requires standing and walking for extended periods and occasionally lifting, carrying, or moving materials of up to 20 pounds (e.g., event supplies and setup).
To apply, qualified candidates must submit the following materials:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter detailing your interest in this position and why the IHS mission resonates with you.

EEO Statement:
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
About IHS:
The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) is a think network advancing the principles and practices of freedom in the academy, public policy, and civil society.
Founded in 1961, IHS believes that the liberal tradition has yielded unprecedented freedom and human flourishing. And in this moment, when the forces of illiberalism on both the left and right are gaining ground at an alarming pace, our vision is to spark a new spirit of liberal freedom.
Our Work:
  • Cultivating a pool of intellectual talent for partners in policy, civil society, philanthropy, and the academy through $1.5 million in fellowship and career development programs.
  • Catalyzing scholarship and academic networks to strengthen the fields of foundational and applied research that matter most to a free society.
  • Equipping freedom-focused research centers, think tanks, foundations, and civil society organizations with the research and experts they need to maximize their impact in policy and in communities across the country.

IHS Benefits:
We have a flexible, professional, open office environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship and provides substantial opportunity for professional growth. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. IHS provides exceptional benefits to all employees, including health and dental insurance coverage (which includes paying 100% of the health and dental insurance premium for individuals), health savings accounts, long-term disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings program, a parking permit and 12 free tuition credit hours annually at George Mason University.