Annual Fund Manager

Salary Range: $58,000.00 To 70,000.00 Annually

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Annual Fund Manager works with and reports directly to the Associate Director of Donor Relations and is part of the Development Team. The Annual Fund Manager works to develop a multi-channel, donor-centric annual fund program, which includes donor societies, sponsorships, giving days, email communications, in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications department, as well as members of front-line fundraising teams. This position requires high collaboration, project management, motivation, and skill in creating and executing compelling annual giving strategies, developing content for both mail and email campaigns and planning prospecting and donor engagement events. The Annual Fund Manager will be involved in the growth and expansion of WRA’s donor base, generate leads for the major gifts team, achieve annual fund goals, and contribute to the overall success of the development team’s goals. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management

• Plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive giving program for individuals in the $5–$499 giving range that builds on a growing foundation of annual donors and activities
• Plan, implement, and evaluate mid-level giving segment (individuals in the $500–$5,000 giving range), including establishing short-term and long-term strategies
• Execute strategies and tactics that include developing a calendar of activities, collaborate on writing appeals, segmenting mailing lists, executing giving days, and planning events
• Work with Donor Relations Officer(s) and other development staff to integrate major gift donors as needed into annual and mid-level giving and stewardship opportunities
• Stay abreast of industry standards and best practices to guide annual and mid-level giving
• Plan and execute new and existing stewardship and cultivation events for annual fund, mid-level, and major gift donors
• Manage events calendar for Development Team
• Manage appeals and donor cultivation materials, which includes collaborating on campaign themes, drafting content, working with the graphic designer, segmenting lists, and coordinating print and mailing
• Work closely with the marketing staff to integrate and execute digital engagement and giving
• Create and automate programs for workplace giving, first-time donors, and recurring donors, incorporating appropriate stewardship and communication to influence moves management

Fundraising 

• Cultivate, solicit, steward donors, and recommend qualified donors for move management
• Maintain responsibility for annual and mid-level donor revenue goals
• Manage the sponsorship program, solicit renewals and new sponsorships solo and with other development or program staff, and track and manage benefits
• Support the fundraising goals and mission of the organization

Reporting and Metrics

• Analyze annual and mid-level giving programs and recommend and develop strategies for acquiring, renewing, and upgrading donors
• Set goals in collaboration with marketing and development staff and analyze metrics to increase performance of direct mail, giving programs, including retention, increased giving, and acquisition of new donors
• Recommend and track a budget for annual giving program
• Input appropriate information in the donor database, update constituent records to maintain data health and actions, and extract data as needed
• Maintain accurate records and reporting on ROI and budget

Qualifications & Competencies:

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered. For example, the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

• 3 or more of experience working with donors or external stakeholders and basic understanding of annual giving best practices and event planning
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate and connect with diverse audiences
• Ability to communicate technical content to non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated track record of developing and executing successful fundraising strategies
• Experience with direct mail and digital solicitation best practices
• Project management skills with the ability to adapt quickly
• Coordination, collaboration, and creativity in daily work
• Proficient writing and editing skills
• Interest in and growing knowledge of fundraising and fundraising events
• Ability to collect and analyze data
• Preferred experience in donor database (not required)

LOCATION:

This position has the option to work from WRA’s Boulder or Denver office, remotely from anywhere within the Boulder-Denver metro area, or a hybrid of the two.  This position will require occasional travel and work from WRA’s Boulder office (2-3 times per month on average).

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation including:   

• A typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.
• Prolonged periods of time at a desk and working on a computer.
• Position requires some travel by automobile, airplane, etc.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Travel to meetings, conferences, donor events, and other work-related events is required within WRA’s region. This is in addition to travel required for retreats, and other internal organizational meetings. Typically, there is at least one all-staff retreat and one Development Team retreat in our region each year at which attendance is required. Access to a major airport is required. This is approximately 15% of the time depending on the location of work.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT:

Employment at WRA is at‐will, a non‐contractual employment relationship, which means that either the employee or WRA is free to end the employment relationship at any time for any reason not prohibited by law.  

Salary And Benefits:

The salary range is $58,000-$70,000 annually, salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k)-retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive seventeen days paid vacation leave, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Colorado staff receive an RTD Eco Pass. Position is full-time exempt.