Development Manager

Title:                      Development Manager

FLSA:                    Exempt

Classification:    Full-time, 40 hours

Location:              Fully remote

Reports to:           Executive Director

Compensation & Benefits: 

• Salary Range - $55-$65,000 with performance-based bonus structure
• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance, heavily subsidized for staff and family
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
• 401k plan with a 6% match after the first three months

The Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) seeks an experienced, motivated fundraising professional who is looking to advance their career.  This position offers an annual performance-based bonus, an excellent opportunity for growth, a comprehensive benefits package including PTO, excellent medical plan benefits, and 401k.  This is a remote, full-time position, with travel required one week per year for the annual conference.

About AWP: 

Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. Our mission is to amplify the voices of writers and the academic programs and organizations that serve them while championing diversity and excellence in creative writing. AWP works to create a thoughtful, intentional, and inclusive space where the larger literary community can gather to exchange wisdom on the art and craft of writing and celebrate vibrant creativity and accomplishment. Our goals are to support individual members in their literary pursuits, provide opportunities for writers to participate in the larger writing community, support writing organizations and academic creative writing programs and groups, and offer year-round support, services, and programming to our membership and community.

Job Summary: 

The Development Manager will support the Executive Director in developing and executing fundraising strategies on all levels but particularly as it relates to individual and major giving. The Development Manager will be responsible for managing, updating, and ensuring the integrity of the donor database.  He/she/they will also manage the donor engagement and stewardship process by inputting contributions, creating and sending donor acknowledgements, and ensuring that donors receive consistent and timely communications. The Development Manager will also work with Conference staff on securing conference sponsorships.

Key Responsibilities/Duties: 

• Execute the annual solicitation cycle for individual donors, segmenting the donor base and ensuring that the appeals and interim communications are developed and executed in accordance with the annual calendar of activities including creating queries, generating data to support fundraising initiatives, and facilitating the invitations of significant donors to the AWP conference, special receptions, etc.
• Manage primary data entry and updates in donor database for constituent contact information, attributes, relationships, constituent code, appeal codes, type of gift, etc. Clear old data, integrate new data and update the database regularly.
• Support the Executive Director on Grant initiatives and with information necessary for the ED to reach out to donors and acknowledge their support as well as manage the timely acknowledgement of gifts, assuring that all types of donations (cash, pledges, matching gifts, recurring gifts, grants and planned gifts) are properly documented.
• Manage the donor stewardship process, ensuring that all aspects of the donor stewardship plan are being implemented in a timely manner.   Communicate with donors in person, on the phone, and by email
• Assist and provide support for major donor engagement.  Manage and monitor the moves management tracking systems.  Prepare accurate research on prospects and assemble materials for cultivation and solicitation visits.  Communicate and support board members, Executive Director and the Development Committee in this process.
• Work closely with Conference Bookfair Manager on securing sponsorships for annual conference

Other Responsibilities

• Assist during the week of the conference (either working onsite in whatever capacity is needed, including stewardship of donors).
• Carry out other duties as reasonably requested by the Executive Director.

Required Qualifications & Skills: 

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum of three years of progressive funds development experience. Experience in academic development/fundraising a plus.
• Proven writing capabilities
• Knowledgeable and experienced with donor databases: how to manage and generate necessary reports
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Financial acumen, understanding basic financial management, bookkeeping, and accounting tasks to ensure that they are accurately tracking their fundraising progress
• Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Attention to detail
• Must work in one of the following states or ineligible for hire: CT, MD, NC, NH, OH, OR, PA, TX, VA

Work Environment and Physical Demands: 

• Work involves potential pressures generated by volume of work, frequent interruptions, seasonal work periods, and irregular hours to meet deadlines and achieve objectives
• Work includes speaking, listening, reading, extended periods of computer operation, possibly sitting for long periods, and some travel.

 Note: These job responsibilities are not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

As an equal opportunity employer, AWP encourages all applicants and is dedicated to the creation and nurturing of a workplace environment in which everyone feels valued as a dignified member of the community of writers, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

For more information on the Association of Writers & Writing Programs, please visit www.awpwriter.org.