Development Manager

Playworks Minnesota; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 59,850 - 73,150; Full time

Job summary

Playworks Colorado is seeking a Development Manager to lead fund development operations in close partnership with the Executive Director.

You will manage grants, stewardship, events, Salesforce, and communications, driving fundraising goals across corporate, foundation, and individual partners.

This role demands collaboration, strong organizational skills, and a willingness to engage in evening/weekend events and travel locally as needed.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience in development or fundraising operations.
• Experience managing donor relationships, events, and revenue goals.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience with Salesforce or equivalent CRM systems.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-moving nonprofit environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a defined portfolio of corporate, foundation, and individual partners, aligned with Executive Director priorities, with renewals, stewardship, and growth.
• Steward and upgrade corporate grants, sponsorships, and engagement opportunities across Playworks Colorado initiatives, advancing next steps.
• Cultivate and close Colorado new corporate sponsorships for Colorado events as required.
• Support relationship-building with foundation partners through ongoing engagement and reporting.
• Coordinate Colorado efforts and relationships with HQ Development Team.
• Own grants coordination and proposal support, including maintaining the grants calendar, grant-writing, coordination submissions and reporting.
• Plan and execute core fundraising and engagement events, including logistics, vendors, sponsorship fulfillment, volunteer coordination, and partner engagement activities.
• Manage event budgets in partnership with the Executive Director, ensuring expenses are tracked and events stay within budgets.
• Oversee event-related communications and follow-up, including materials and post-event stewardship.
• Independently manage the Young Professional Board, recruit and retain members, and host monthly meetings.

Skills

Fundraising operations

Donor relations

Event management

Salesforce

Project management

Communication

Tools

Salesforce CRM

Job description

Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. Learn about the energetic, creative people working to ensure every kid has the chance to play—every day.

Playworks Colorado is seeking a Development Manager who reports directly to and works in close partnership with the Executive Director to execute the organization’s fund development strategy. The Executive Director sets strategic direction, priorities, and key relationships, and this role is responsible for driving execution, coordination, and follow-through across all development efforts.

This role oversees development operations, stewardship coordination, event execution, Salesforce management, and day-to-day relationship support, while managing defined fundraising goals tied to events, sponsorships, and partner renewals. The role also supports individual giving efforts as part of the broader fundraising mix, in alignment with Colorado priorities.

The Development Manager is a highly collaborative, detail-oriented role focused on strong execution, follow-through, and coordination in support of organizational strategy, narrative, and relationships.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Fund Development & Stewardship (30%)
  • Manage a defined portfolio of corporate, foundation, and individual partners, in alignment with Executive Director priorities, with a focus on renewals, stewardship, and growth; be accountable for fundraising goals tied to events, sponsorships, and partner renewals.
  • Steward and upgrade corporate grants, sponsorships and engagement opportunities across Playworks Colorado initiatives, leading early cultivation and advancement of next steps.
  • Cultivate and close Colorado new corporate sponsorships for Colorado events as required.
  • Support relationship-building with foundation partners through ongoing engagement and positioning for future funding opportunities.
  • Coordinate Colorado efforts and relationships with HQ Development Team.
  • Own grants coordination and proposal support, including maintaining the grants calendar, grant-writing, coordinating submissions and reporting, and ensuring alignment with organizational voice.
• Events & Partner Engagement (35%)
  • Plan and execute core fundraising and engagement events, including logistics, vendors, sponsorship fulfillment, volunteer coordination, and partner engagement activities.
  • Manage event budgets in partnership with the Executive Director, ensuring expenses are tracked and events remain within approved budgets.
  • Oversee event-related communications and follow-up, including materials, run-of-show development, and post-event stewardship.
• Young Professional Board Management (15%)
  • Independently manage the Young Professional (YP) Board, responsible for recruitment and retention, setting and hosting monthly meetings.
  • Set and meet annual goals with the YP board which could include annual events.
• Development Operations & Database (10%)
  • Own Salesforce and development systems, ensuring accurate data, effective workflows, reliable reporting, and coordination with HQ Development Operations.
  • Track grants, deliverables, and reporting requirements, coordinating internal timelines and follow-through.
  • Prepare development reports and maintain fundraising calendars, deadlines, and follow-through for Colorado leadership and HQ.
• Visibility, Communications & Reporting Support (10%)
  • Manage development-related communications, including social media posts, partner acknowledgments, event highlights, and newsletter content.
  • Coordinate with marketing, digital, and program teams to develop content and assets that support fundraising, stewardship, and partner engagement.
  • Oversee preparation of development-related reports and materials, including grant reports, partner reports, the annual report, and development-focused newsletters.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience in development, fundraising operations, account management, or related nonprofit roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing donor relationships, events, and revenue goals.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple timelines and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM systems; comfort with data, reporting, and systems.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills; ability to edit and tailor content to organizational voice.
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort representing the organization in meetings, events, and site visits.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a highly engaged, fast-moving environment.
• Responds to challenges with resourcefulness, positivity, and a commitment to finding solutions.
• Demonstrates a willingness to pitch in wherever needed and embraces shared responsibility for team success.
• Takes initiative and proactively looks for ways to help, rather than waiting to be asked.
• Knowledge of local business, civic, or philanthropic communities preferred.
• Willingness to attend occasional evening or weekend events and travel locally as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

• This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position based in Colorado and reporting to the Executive Director.
• Starting salary $66,500, determined by internal pay scales, geographic differential, and market data.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) with up to 3% matching, life insurance, pre‑tax health, and child‑care spending accounts.
• Generous Flex PTO policy, paid sick and holiday leave.

As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks