Position Summary

The Senior Manager of Donor Engagement is a strategic leader responsible for shaping and advancing the organization’s donor engagement philosophy. This role drives the vision and execution of a comprehensive stewardship and cultivation strategy that deepens donor relationships, enhances donor experience, and strengthens long-term philanthropic partnerships. Collaborating closely with senior leadership and frontline fundraisers, the Senior Manager ensures that stewardship efforts are aligned with organizational goals and donor expectations, fostering a culture of gratitude, transparency, and impact.

Strategic Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction and evolution of the Donor Engagement function, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and fundraising priorities.
• Serve as a thought partner to the Senior Director and executive leadership, contributing to the development of enterprise-wide donor engagement strategies.
• Champion a data-informed approach to donor experience, leveraging insights to refine engagement strategies and enhance donor satisfaction and retention.
• Cultivate a high-performing team culture by mentoring and developing staff, fostering innovation, and promoting cross-functional collaboration.
• Represent the Donor Engagement function in planning, budgeting, and organizational decision-making processes.

Strategic Stewardship and Engagement

• Design and oversee the implementation of a multi-tiered stewardship framework that delivers personalized, meaningful engagement across donor segments.
• Partner with leadership to craft high-impact, high-touch stewardship experiences for top-tier donors, including customized communications and recognition strategies.
• Lead the integration of stewardship into the organization’s broader donor journey, ensuring seamless collaboration across Development, Marketing, and Community Impact teams.
• Guide the development and use of stewardship tools, content, and platforms to support scalable and consistent donor engagement.
• Oversee the measurement and evaluation of stewardship effectiveness, using KPIs and dashboards to inform continuous improvement.

Donor Experience Innovation

• Collaborate with the Events team to reimagine donor engagement opportunities, ensuring they reflect strategic priorities and donor interests.
• Lead efforts to modernize donor communications and engagement channels, incorporating digital tools and storytelling to enhance impact.
• Serve as a strategic advisor on donor relations best practices, staying abreast of trends and innovations in philanthropy and donor engagement.