Strategy Development Manager Jobs in Connecticut

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF COASTAL FAIRFIELD COUNTY

Position: Development Manager

Reports To: Director of Development & Volunteer Services

Position Summary:

The Development Manager is a fundraising professional responsible for a portfolio of revenue-generating and donor-engagement initiatives. A substantial component of the role is the strategic oversight of Habitat CFC's fundraising and affiliate events, including sponsorship development, performance analysis, donor engagement and execution. The position also manages individual-giving campaigns and supports donor cultivation, stewardship, retention and engagement as Development Department priorities evolve. Working under the Director of Development & Volunteer Services, the Development Manager uses fundraising data and performance metrics to guide strategy and communications priorities in collaboration with Communications and other departments.

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy and Individual Giving

• Develop and manage assigned individual-giving campaigns and fundraising initiatives, including evergreen campaigns, end-of-year giving, endowment campaigns, birthday campaigns, peer-to-peer fundraising and other targeted campaigns.
• Establish goals, audiences, timelines, budgets, calls to action and measures of success; manage each initiative from concept through launch, monitoring, follow-up and evaluation.
• Analyze campaign and donor results to identify acquisition, renewal, upgrade, reactivation and stewardship opportunities; recommend adjustments.
• Take ownership of new fundraising and donor-engagement initiatives as Development Department strategies and priorities evolve.

Fundraising Events and Sponsorships

• Manage Habitat CFC's fundraising and affiliate event portfolio, including the Annual Gala, Golf Tournament, home dedications, ReStore events, donor cultivation and stewardship events, and other events that vary from year to year.
• In collaboration with the Director and Executive Director, develop the annual event calendar and establish the purpose, audience, revenue, sponsorship, attendance, and donor-engagement goals for each event.
• Develop and manage event plans, budgets, timelines and execution tools; lead planning meetings and coordinate staff, committees, vendors and other participants toward established goals and deadlines.
• Develop sponsorship packages and manage sponsor prospects, renewals and relationships from cultivation and solicitation through payment, recognition, benefit fulfillment and stewardship; oversee in-kind and auction donations as applicable.
• Establish performance benchmarks and decision points based on revenue, sponsorship commitments, ticket sales, registration pace, donor response, engagement data and key deadlines; use results to adjust fundraising and promotional strategy.
• Translate event and campaign performance into strategic direction for Communications on audiences, message priorities, calls to action, timing and frequency; Communications staff develop the written content, graphics and final materials.
• Oversee online fundraising and registration platforms and event operations, including vendors, committees, volunteers, guest experience, program elements, onsite execution and post-event closeout.
• Track revenue and expenses against budgets and evaluate events by net revenue, staff time, sponsorship potential, donor acquisition, stewardship value, attendance and mission impact; recommend improvements.

Donor Engagement and Stewardship

• Create mission-centered experiences and engagement opportunities for donors, sponsors, prospects, guests, volunteers and community partners across events and campaigns.
• Partner with the Director and Executive Director on cultivation and stewardship plans for priority donors and prospects, including recognition, personalized engagement and meaningful follow-up.
• Coordinate timely acknowledgments and stewardship for sponsors, event participants, recurring and newly acquired donors, and lapsed relationships.
• Maintain accurate donor, campaign, event and follow-up records in the fundraising database; use giving and engagement history to identify renewal, upgrade, reactivation and cultivation opportunities.

Development Operations and Collaboration

• Work with Finance and development staff on invoices, payments, revenue tracking, reconciliation and financial reporting for assigned campaigns and events.
• Prepare concise reports on results, lessons learned and recommendations; maintain organized project files, accurate online information and systems that support efficient follow-up.
• Perform other related development duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; three or more years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, individual giving, sponsorships, donor relations, fundraising events or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing revenue-generating campaigns, fundraising events, sponsorship programs or donor-engagement initiatives from strategy through implementation, analysis and follow-up.
• Demonstrated ability to use fundraising, campaign or event performance data to evaluate progress, adjust strategy and guide communications and outreach priorities.
• Strong project-management, organizational and time-management skills; ability to manage multiple campaigns, events, revenue goals and deadlines with attention to detail, financial accuracy, follow-through, judgment and problem-solving.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and donor-service skills, with the judgment and professionalism to represent Habitat CFC with donors, sponsors, Board members, volunteers, vendors and community partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and online fundraising, registration and event platforms; experience with GiveSmart, GiveGab, Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, Instrumentl or comparable systems preferred.
• Commitment to Habitat for Humanity's mission and values.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Ability to perform desk-based development work and onsite event activity, including extended computer use and walking or standing for extended periods in indoor and outdoor settings.
• Ability to lift, carry and move event supplies and materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Reliable transportation is required to travel to event venues and Habitat CFC locations.

Position Details:

Type: Full-time, Salaried Exempt

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; occasional evening and weekend event work is required

Location: Administrative Office, Stratford, CT