Senior Manager of Development

Location: Remote. SF Bay Area, Sacramento, Portland, Seattle, or Denver

Reports to: Managing Director of External Affairs

Salary: $100,000 – $120,000, depending on experience  
Employment Status: One year fixed-term contract, (40 hours per week). This contract has the potential of being extended following the 1-year term. 

Travel: 20% time

Preferred Start Date: April 28th, 2025 

About Blue Forest 

Blue Forest is a conservation finance non-profit founded in 2015 that is focused on advancing ecosystem restoration through scientific research, financial innovation, and collaborative partnerships. Since 2018, Blue Forest has managed investor capital through its flagship financial product, the Forest Resilience Bond (FRB), which deploys private capital to finance forest restoration projects to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. More recently, Blue Forest has also established Blue Forest Asset Management (BFAM), an investment management platform connecting investors to compelling, mission-aligned opportunities in a broader set of asset classes beyond FRB projects, such as private equity and private credit investments.

Blue Forest is made up of an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, foresters, finance, and communications professionals committed to the mission: “To accelerate ecological restoration through conservation finance, enabling climate resilience for ecosystems and communities”. Employees at Blue Forest are: 

• Committed to Continuous Learning
• Driven by Collaboration
• Thoughtful Innovators for Impact
• Grounded in Science
• Passionate about Restoring Earth’s Ecosystems

As we grow and develop new financial solutions to pressing environmental problems, we are seeking to amplify and collaborate with those historically excluded in conservation finance. We recognize that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization is not only vital but also a key driver of strength, resilience, and success.  

Position Summary

Blue Forest is seeking a passionate and resourceful Senior Manager of Development to lead our growing development efforts. The Senior Manager of Development reports to the Managing Director of External Affairs and works in close collaboration with the Chief of Staff and the CEO. This pivotal role will develop and execute our fundraising strategy, build relationships with funders, design and execute on fundraising events, and work closely with leadership to amplify Blue Forest’s mission. This is an exciting opportunity to join in the inaugural fundraising role, with an organization that is targeting annual raises of $5+ million. This position is best suited for someone who has experience crafting and implementing a development strategy.

Responsibilities: 

Craft Blue Forest’s Development Strategy – 35%

• Work with the management team to meet annual revenue goals and reserve targets by identifying preferred funding targets, and approaches.
• Conduct research and prospecting for development opportunities; develop concept notes and proposals across a portfolio of funders.
• Collaborate with senior leaders, board of directors, and other stakeholders to integrate fundraising efforts with the organization’s mission and objectives. Provide leadership and guidance to staff involved in fundraising.
• Identify funder networks for Blue Forest participation.
• Develop and implement strategies for soliciting major gifts, as well as planned gifts such as bequests, trusts, and gift annuities.

Design and Manage Fundraising Events – 25% 

• Design in-person fundraising events, such as roundtables and funder meetings, to demonstrate Blue Forest and partner organizations thought leadership in conservation finance and forest restoration, and drive capital contributions to Blue Forest.
• Coordinate Blue Forest site visits with investors and donors to locations primarily in the Western United States, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience including collaborating with the project development and the finance teams to showcase the impact of Blue Forest initiatives during the site visit.

Donor Cultivation – 25%

• Develop strategy for Blue Forest’s donor cultivation.
• Cultivate new prospects and steward existing donors through personalized communications, meetings, and recognition efforts.
• Assist in identifying and cultivating major gift prospects capable of making six-figure and above contributions to the organization.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with donors and prospects.

Administration and Management – 15%

• Work in partnership with the Accounting team to monitor and analyze fundraising metrics and financial data to track progress towards fundraising goals.
• Build out and lead on CRM tracking for all donor, foundation, and other funder tracking.
• Manage capital campaigns, engaging and overseeing capital campaign firms as necessary.

Qualifications

Compelling candidates will have 5+ years of fundraising experience, with 2+ years in a senior level role, and experience building a fundraising strategy and CRM management from the ground up. Ideal candidates have an understanding of conservation and climate resiliency. Relevant backgrounds include fundraising roles at research centers, land trusts, foundations, and environmental nonprofits. Blue Forest will prioritize the following qualifications in the hiring process; however, we do not expect candidates to fulfill all criteria and encourage all interested candidates to apply.

• Development/Fundraising: Proven success in nonprofit development, and building a development strategy.
• Project Leadership: Experience in planning, leading, and managing development projects, including coordinating with peers to achieve desired outcomes, and tracking and reporting on progress.
• Creative Thinking: Brings energy, creativity, and modern communication skills to develop new strategies and expand our reach.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Takes initiative and actively seeks to deepen current donor relationships and to forge new ones. Deeply persistent, with the nuanced ability to stay engaged and following up with leads.

• Detail Oriented and Organized: Ability to set and follow deadlines, draft and review funding commitments, and focus on tracking all engagements.

• Communications: Skilled in creating powerful, compelling written and oral communications for fundraising. Ability to convey complex ideas through brief, simple materials. Experience and credibility when presenting materials to external audiences. Comfortable in directly asking for financial contributions.
• Operationally Driven: Thrives in building infrastructure, managing data, and identifying strategic opportunities for growth.
• People-Centric: Skilled at establishing and cultivating strong relationships. Excellence in networking and building relationships, both in person and online.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute effective fundraising strategies in alignment with organizational goals.
• Passionate about Restoring Earth’s Ecosystems: Understanding of the environment. Ideal experiences in impact investing, conservation, and//or land stewardship.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; subsidized coverage for dependents
• Access to a 401k retirement plan with a 5% employer match
• 4 weeks paid vacation and 17 paid holidays; paid sick leave and volunteer time
• 3 months of paid family leave
• Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Access to Dependent Care FSA and HealthCare FSA
• Public Lands Exploration stipend (reimbursements for visits to National Forests, county parks, etc.)
• Monthly Home Office stipend or co-working space provided
• Travel and partial dependant care costs provided for business travel
• Additional stipends for health & wellness; home internet and cell service
• Financial support for professional development

Additional Information

Blue Forest is a fully remote company with staff located across all four continental U.S. time zones. You will generally be expected to be online during Pacific Standard Time standard working hours in order to collaborate with partners and other team members. Blue Forest also hosts an in-person team retreat each year.