Director, Individual Giving

Manomet Conservation Sciences; Plymouth (MA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

403b match

Life insurance

Other benefits

Job summary

Manomet Conservation Sciences is seeking a Director, Individual Giving to enhance philanthropic support by managing donor relationships and developing solicitation strategies. The ideal candidate will have 7–10+ years' experience in major gifts, strong communication skills, and comfort engaging high-net-worth individuals. This role offers a salary range of $95,000 - $115,000 along with comprehensive benefits in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of individual giving/major gifts experience.
• Experience securing 5- and 6-figure gifts.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects.
• Develop tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Prepare donor proposals and customized materials.

Skills

Relationship-building skills

Strong communication skills

Excellent writing skills

Organizational skills

Metrics-driven approach

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

We are seeking a Director, Individual Giving to grow and diversify philanthropic support from individuals and to strengthen our pipeline of major and leadership gifts. This role will build and steward relationships with donors and prospects, create clear upgrade pathways across giving levels, and expand Manomet’s reach through engagement with financial advisors and other philanthropic intermediaries.

The Director, Individual Giving reports to the Vice President, External Relations, and works closely with development and communications staff, the President, and program leaders to create compelling opportunities for support.

ABOUT MANOMET

Manomet is a 501(c)(3) organization that empowers stakeholders through science and works with partners to make a world where ecosystems and human communities thrive. Since Manomet’s beginnings as a bird banding operation in 1969, its science and research have expanded to focus on ecosystem management and resilience, shorebird conservation, and educating tomorrow’s leaders about the importance of the natural world. Workplace diversity, science, and climate change are the fundamental principles driving Manomet’s work today.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects with clear annual revenue and activity goals; conduct discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Develop tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for priority donors, including individualized engagement plans, timelines, and next-step recommendations.
• Prepare donor proposals and customized materials (e.g., tailored cases for support, funding opportunity summaries, and multi-year request language) in partnership with program and communications colleagues.
• Build and maintain a strong donor pipeline, including consistent qualification of new prospects and structured upgrade strategies across giving levels.
• Partner with the Vice President, External Relations, and the President on major gift strategies, donor meetings, and solicitations—providing concise briefings, talking points, and follow-up plans.
• Develop and implement an advisor engagement program (financial/wealth advisors, estate attorneys, CPAs, philanthropic consultants), including advisor briefings and easy-to-use materials that support referrals.
• Lead stewardship strategy for portfolio of assigned donors, ensuring timely and personal acknowledgments, meaningful impact updates, and ongoing engagement that supports renewals and upgrades.
• Track and report progress in the Customer Relationship Management System (CRM), including moves management, pipeline health, proposals, forecasting, and results; use data to refine strategy and improve performance over time.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with development operations, communications, and program teams to ensure consistent donor experience and strong alignment between fundraising priorities and program needs.

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 7–10+ years of individual giving/major gifts experience, including success securing 5- and 6-figure gifts.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills; comfort engaging high-net-worth donors and professional advisors.
• Excellent writing skills for proposals, donor communications, and briefings.
• Highly organized, metrics-driven, and experienced using a CRM.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and support colleagues effectively.
• High degree of initiative and ability to work independently.
• Commitment to Manomet’s mission and interest in supporting a more sustainable world.
• Occasional night and weekend work may be required, particularly around events.
• Must have a reliable method of transportation and a valid driver’s license.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must successfully pass a background check.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability and willingness to travel to various locations in the US as necessary to complete job duties. Travel may also be international. Travel is reimbursed (if applicable).
• Normal office business environment.
• Occasional walking up and down stairs, standing, and bending.
• Hybrid remote work possible.

SALARY RANGE

$95,000 - $115,000

Compensation commensurate with experience. Manomet offers excellent benefits, including health insurance, dental, 403b match, life insurance, and several other benefits.

EEO STATEMENTS

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case‑by‑case basis.

Manomet provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.