Job Title:
Donor Relations Manager
Program: Development
Employment Type: [ X ] Salary [ ] Hourly
[ ] Part-time [X] Full-time
[ ] Temporary [ X ] Regular
Reports to: Membership Director
Direct Reports to this position: Donor Relations Associates
Salary Range: $76,000 - $85,000
Location: Hybrid, Tucson
Is this position in the Bargaining Unit? [ ] Yes [ X ] No
How to apply: Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a cover letter and resume. The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is 8/3/2026. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.
ABOUT THE CENTER
The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.
We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.
POSITION SUMMARY
This position provides a unique opportunity for an experienced Development professional to join a successful fundraising team in a supervisory role, support growth of the mid and major donor journey, while advancing the Center for Biological Diversity’s mission to protect imperiled wildlife and wild places.
The Donor Relations Manager provides ongoing management of timely donor interactions, communications, campaigns and stewardship of the Center’s Leadership Circle (donors who individually contribute $1,000 or more annually.) This donor cohort is crucial to the vitality of the Center’s fundraising efforts, providing 80% of philanthropic revenues from 4% of the membership base.
The Donor Relations Manager manages a small team of Donor Relations Associates and supervises and serves as the project manager for seasonal as well as ad-hoc multichannel fundraising campaigns primarily to our Leadership Circle – leading their team to successfully raise increased funds largely through email as well as direct mail campaigns, phone, Zoom, and some face-to-face outreach. The Donor Relations Manager also cultivates and stewards their own portfolio of Leadership Circle donors, guides the associates to optimize relationships and philanthropic revenues via their own portfolio management, and provides strong year-round project management oversight for implementation of donor stewardship plans for Leadership Circle members, all mission critical activities.
This position manages and oversees the execution of a robust calendar of communications, including regular stewardship as well as issue-specific reports and the production of in-person and virtual events both calendared as well as opportunities that arise. This position oversees important daily/weekly stewardship processes such as informal and formal acknowledgement materials.
The Donor Relations Manager will ensure quality control for donor communications. They can also expect to directly engage in and oversee daily administrative activities such as maintaining up-to-date individual donor records, obtaining and analyzing donor and campaign information from the database, preparing fundraising reports and researching individual donors. The Donor Relations Manager will report to the Membership Director. This position will regularly communicate with members of the development program’s senior leaders, conservation program staff, communications, finance and IT team as needed.
There are seasonal periods of increased intensity in this role’s work tied to spring, fourth quarter through year-end into the new year, along with frequent ad hoc fundraising campaigns as needed.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plan, oversee, and support the production and execution of multiple fundraising campaigns, appeals and reports designed to increase philanthropic support from our base of Leadership Circle members.
- Develop calendars and timelines for execution of campaigns, reports, proposals, events and other outreach to donors.
- Provide year-round stewardship of Leadership Circle members to ensure fundraising goals are met and exceeded.
- Develop and implement stewardship plans designed to increase retention and engagement for key donors.
- Manage donor relations staff to ensure timely, high quality, effective and increased donor communications, stewardship and fundraising activities.
- Ensure Leadership Circle members’ inbound communications via email, handwritten notes, and phone calls are addressed promptly and with a high level of care and attention.
- Research and identify new prospects to pass on to the Chief Development Officer, Deputy Development Director, Membership Director and Major Gifts Manager for major gifts development.
- Cultivate a portfolio of Leadership Circle donors. Support donor relations staff’s work to successfully manage their own portfolios.
- Draft, format, and send letters, emails, proposals, reports, etc., for our Leadership Circle, Owls Club, individual and family funders. Assist in preparation of same for MGOs.
- Directly engage Leadership Circle members through phone calls, 1:1 zoom calls and some face-to-face meetings as well as individual emails.
- Collaborate with the membership and development operations teams on direct mail and email fundraising campaigns, as well as supporting stewardship, cultivation and solicitation for the Center’s growing segment of monthly donors.
- Ensure donors receive timely and high-quality informal thank you emails, cards, and calls as well as formal tax-receipt and acknowledgement letters.
- Review data with a high attention to detail and careful decision making that will ensure donors are communicated with according to pre-set strategies and according to their preferences.
- Plan, coordinate, and support implementation of donor events and webinars and support post-event follow-up communications.
- Support Chief Development Officer on planned giving efforts via campaigns, regular Owls Club communications and welcome letters.
- Move nimbly to implement rapid communications in response to breaking news, or in response to requests for reports or other information.
- Stay on top of trends in both the environmental movement as well as in best practices for donor stewardship.
- Assist with other projects as assigned.
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ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
- Five to seven years of proven successful fundraising experience, demonstrated interest in caring for donors.
- Superior verbal and written communication skills.
- Extensive experience with donor relationship management databases or similar.
- Excellent supervisory skills and experience managing a staff of 2-3 people, as well as demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills.
- A proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Analytical with an exceptional ability to pay attention to detail, great organizational skills, and high-level accuracy in completing complex tasks.
- Strong abilities working with data in Microsoft Excel.
- Highly motivated and self-confident character, with solid work ethic as well as a strong drive to move projects forward quickly and follow through with staff regarding their completion.
- The ability to learn and complete tasks quickly.
- Experience working in a rapid response environment that can require quick, thoughtful decision making and evolution of campaign planning.
- Strong project management skills, including the ability to organize time, manage diverse activities and personal interactions, and meet short-term and long-term deadlines.
- Deep familiarity with implementing quality control processes and procedures.
- High energy level and excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong affinity for the Center for Biological Diversity’s mission.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Seasonal increase in workload and potential increase in hours, particularly from April-May and fourth quarter-January. Working with standard office equipment, such as a computer, printer, copier and scanner, as well as job-specific equipment. This is a hybrid position with some time required in the office. Working remotely is allowed, but the space must be conducive to keeping member information confidential, making calls and responding to emails in a timely fashion, and maintaining a productivity level equal to in-office hours.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation. This is not a complete description of all workplace conditions, and conditions are subject to change per the Organization’s discretion.
Cognitive
Ability to process and analyze information: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
Exchange accurate information: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
Communicate and express oneself with others: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
Interaction with other colleagues: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
Physical
Reading (ingest data): [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
Working on a computer: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
Typing: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
Writing by hand: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
Sitting: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
Walking: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Standing: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Hiking: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Climbing up or down stairs: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Bending: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Squatting: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Reaching overhead: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Repetitive motions: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
Ability to drive: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Location Conditions
In person required (versus remote work): [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Travel required*: [ ] Rarely [X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Night or weekend work: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Work in outdoor conditions: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Other? _________________ [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
- Attendance at our remote annual all-staff retreat is encouraged. This could require travel and 4-5 days of time away from home each year.
BENEFITS (Subject to change—see Handbook for more details)
For regular staff working 30+ hours a week
- Fully paid medical premiums for staff, and greatly discounted for families.
- Fully paid dental and vision premiums for staff and their families.
- Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA’s.
- Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) provided for reimbursement of eligible wellness expenses.
- Center paid premiums for Short Term and Long-Term Disability provided for all staff.
- Center paid premiums for Basic Life Insurance for all staff.
- Discounted premiums for pet discount program.
For all regular staff
- 403(b) plan with employer match and increasing employer paid contributions.
- Generous time off policies, including 13 paid holidays per year and 5 “personal” days awarded each year.
- Vacation accrual starts at a rate of 15 days annually, but it may be higher commensurate with experience, and paid sick days accrue at a rate of 10 days per year.
- Center Paid Time Off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave and even pet caretaker leave.
- After 5 years of service, all employees receive a 12-week paid sabbatical.
- Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.
JEDAI STATEMENT
The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires. We welcome and encourage anyone interested to apply to any of our open positions. Everyone, regardless of current work authorization, will be considered.
Exempt Classification: Exempt
Applicable Exemption: Professional
- Reasoning behind this classification: High degree of discretion and work is predominantly intellectual in nature and varied in character. The output produced can’t be standardized in relation to a given period of time.
