Senior Manager, Development & Communications

Description

The Senior Manager of Development & Communications owns Relate's full development and communications function. This is a combined role — well-suited to a nonprofit operating with a one-person development office — spanning individual giving, donor-advised fund (DAF) outreach, major gift cultivation, Board relationship support, and the full scope of marketing and communications. The position works closely and collaboratively with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and the grants lead. The role is self-directed and reports to the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and grow the individual giving program — donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across the donor lifecycle.

• Lead donor-advised fund (DAF) outreach and build the major gift pipeline.

• Support the Board of Directors in their fundraising and relationship-building efforts, activating Board connections as the function matures.

• Own the communications function end-to-end — content calendar, social media, donor communications, and the organization's external presence.

• Develop donor-facing and Board-facing materials that reflect Relate's brand and messaging framework.

• Partner with the grants lead to align development strategy across funding sources (grants remain a separate, dedicated lane).

• Strengthen Relate's visibility in the community, advancing awareness of our independent, mission-reinvested model.

• Plan and manage donor and partner cultivation events, from concept through execution and follow-up.

• Maintain donor records and CRM infrastructure with accuracy and integrity, building on groundwork already in place.

Job Responsibilities Include

• Plan, implement, and evaluate the annual development strategy to meet revenue goals.

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, including major and mid-level gifts.

• Manage DAF outreach and donor pipeline development, including prospect research and wealth screening follow-up.

• Develop and execute the content calendar across social media, email, and web channels.

• Produce donor appeals, campaign materials, and the organization's communications collateral.

• Support Board members and the Executive Director in donor meetings and fundraising activities.

• Maintain ongoing, accurate records in the donor database/CRM.

• Plan, coordinate, and manage donor and partner cultivation events, including logistics, invitations, and post-event stewardship.

• Coordinate and attend community events to promote Relate.

• Source and manage freelance design and collateral support as needed.

Requirements

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of nonprofit development experience, with a proven track record of fundraising success.

• Demonstrated ability to manage both development and communications functions, or strong capacity to grow into the combined scope.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to connect authentically with many different audiences.

• Experience with donor databases / CRM systems and donor records management.

• Self-directed, organized, and able to own a function with minimal day-to-day oversight.

• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a genuine commitment to Relate's mission.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience.

Preferred

• Familiarity with the giving culture of the Twin Cities.

• Experience with donor-advised fund outreach and major gift cultivation.

• Experience planning and managing donor or fundraising events.

• Understanding of basic nonprofit finance.

• Experience marketing or communicating on behalf of a mission-driven or human-services organization.