Senior Manager of Donor Relations

The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is excited to invite applications and nominations for an exciting role on its fundraising team: Senior Manager of Donor Relations. 

PCTA, steward of the Pacific Crest Trail for nearly 50 years, is an impactful and widely respected nonprofit 
organization. The trail is a unique multi-state natural resource and is enjoying sustained growth of domestic and international visitors. Qualified candidates with at least five years of strong individual giving accomplishments in Southern California will stand out. Fundraising experience for a conservation nonprofit would be particularly useful. Regional and west coast travel for donor meetings (solo and with PCTA principals) is required. Quarterly visits to Sacramento for in-person staff gatherings should be anticipated. 

This is an ideal opportunity for a skilled early- to mid-career major gifts professional, whose passion for conservation and broad access to outdoor recreation is a core element of their fundraising approach. This individual will play a central role in driving a stronger PCTA; resourcefulness, persistence, and an entrepreneurial spirit will be crucial to successfully identify, cultivate, and secure major gifts from qualified prospects and current donors. 

The Senior Manager of Donor Relations will work closely with other PCTA senior staff and will report to the Director of Philanthropy. PCTA is ideally positioned to realize significant growth from major giving campaigns; skillfully leveraging the loyal support over many years from thousands of PCTA members and annual donors will be a core practice in this role. 

A realistic self-assessment outline for applicants should include: 

• Do I have a track record of securing five-figure (and higher) gifts in conservation or related fields? 
• Does my work demonstrate an ability to initiate and sustain meaningful, mission-centered relationships with individual donors? 
• How strong are my communication skills? Can I express how institutional goals align with donor values to spur action and giving? 
• Am I known as a collegial, yet distinctive, presence on fundraising teams? 
• Do I enjoy analyzing donor data; developing plans to help donors reach feasible giving levels? 
• Can I be a champion for the work of the PCTA? Will my donor appeals be succinct, sensitive, and persuasive? 
• How adept are my online research and CRM skills? Do I leverage these tools effectively to achieve results? 
• What growth do I want to see in my fundraising skills, and how can this role be a vehicle for my commitment to conservation? 

The salary range is $95,000 to $120,000; genuinely variable given experience and qualifications. PCTA staff enjoy a supportive, highly professional service culture and a generous benefit package. 

Benefits package: 

• Full benefits package, including medical and mental health coverage 
• Paid life and long-term disability 
• Paid time off, including 12 holidays 
• Flexible and generous time off guidelines 
• 2 weeks’ vacation (amount increases with length of service) 
• 12 sick days per year 
• 2 hours of weekly wellness time 
• 5 additional days of paid personal time to enjoy time outside 
• Eligible for 401(k) plan 
• Fun, friendly work atmosphere 
• Discounts to many outdoor industry brands 
• Professional development opportunities

More About The Senior Manager of Donor Relations: 

The Senior Manager of Donor Relations is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts from high-net-worth individuals. They help our donors accomplish 
their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with our organization. The position manages a portfolio of 125-150 major gift donors and donor prospects who have the potential to make high 5-, 6- and 7-figure gifts, and collaborates with the CEO, Director of Philanthropy, key staff, and board members to build connections with 
donors. This role requires exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, a deep understanding of the organization’s work, and a passion for philanthropy. 

Essential job functions and tasks are:

• Oversee development and moves management of an individual portfolio of 125-150 donors and prospects through quality, strategic contacts, and face-to-face or 
  virtual visits to cultivate, solicit, and successfully close gifts of $10,000 and up, with a focus on securing high 5-, 6- and 7-figure gifts. 
• Identify and qualify major donor prospects for the major gifts portfolio. 
• Design and implement engagement plans to foster a sense of lifelong connection to the PCTA. 
• Collaborate with the CEO, Director of Philanthropy, key staff, and board members to build connections with donors. Support their success by preparing materials for solicitations, communications, proposals, presentations, and oral briefings. 
• Lead major donor strategy meetings. 
• Prepare written materials for major gift donors and prospects, including correspondence, proposals, solicitations, acknowledgments, etc. 
• Document all touchpoints with donors in the Salesforce moves management system, ensuring key donor information is recorded. 
• Develop and maintain a thorough and accurate understanding of PCTA’s programs and funding priorities to effectively connect supporters to funding needs. Possess the ability to effectively communicate these priorities face to face with donors and in writing, and to successfully match donor’s philanthropic interests to funding needs. 
• Meet or exceed annual revenue goals. Collaborate with the Director of Philanthropy to create and execute an annual major gifts plan aligning with 
  overall fundraising goals and strategic focus on high-capacity donors. 
• Track and analyze donor data and work with the database manager to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement in major donor acquisition, retention, and engagement. 
• Organize personalized events and activities to engage major donor prospects, demonstrate appreciation for current major donors, and encourage continued and increased support. 
• Plan and implement major donor recognition strategies. 

Experience and Qualifications: 

• A minimum of five years of direct fundraising experience, including success in building and managing successful donor relationships with a proven track record 
  of securing high five-figure+ gifts. 
• Ability to use a donor database, prospect research, and other wealth screening tools to aid in moving donors through a moves management process. 
• Deep understanding of fundraising principles, techniques, and best practices. 
• A high degree of integrity, sensitivity, and good judgment in working with donors and handling confidential information. 
• Skilled in creating compelling written and oral communications for fundraising. 
• Ability to convey complex ideas through brief, simple materials and messaging. 
• Experience and credibility when presenting materials to external audiences. 
• Ability to create efficiencies, utilize new tools, test and learn different approaches to strengthen relationships and fundraising results. 
• Confidence in discussing money, wealth, values, and a passion for connecting resources and networks to our mission. 
• Self-motivated, proactive, curious, adaptive, and energetic, focused on achieving goals. 
• Skilled at building mutually beneficial, long-lasting relationships 
• Awareness of and commitment to abide by ethical fundraising standards and practices and willingness to engage in evolving best practices and new techniques. 
• Experience or willingness to learn and utilize Salesforce and Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable learning new technology systems as needed. 

Physical Requirements: 

The ability to work at a computer for several hours at a time. 

Typical Working Conditions and Travel: 
The Senior Manager of Donor Relations will focus on building and sustaining relations among new and sustaining donors in Southern California. More broadly, the portfolio 
will include communities along the trail’s course through California, Oregon, and Washington. While this role is primarily remote, it will include frequent local and regional PCTA meetings and donor visits. A valid driver’s license is required.

Equipment Used: 
The Senior Manager of Donor Relations will work at a desk with a desktop computer, necessary computer peripherals, and other standard office equipment. 

Disclaimer 
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed 
as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their typical 
responsibilities from time to time, as needed.