Donor Relations Manager

biologicaldiversity; Tucson (AZ); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) plan

Paid sabbatical

Paid time off policy

Hybrid work environment

Disability and life insurance

Job summary

The Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson is seeking a Donor Relations Manager to lead a small team and oversee major gift stewardship within the Development program. This salaried, full-time role reports to the Membership Director and focuses on growing Leadership Circle giving through multi-channel campaigns, events, and timely donor communications.

You will manage donor relations staff, coordinate with cross-functional teams, analyze donor data, prepare reports, and ensure excellent

Qualifications

• Five to seven years of fundraising experience with donors.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with donor relationship management systems.
• Excellent supervisory skills managing a small team.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Analytical with high attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Excel data work.
• Demonstrated project management skills and meeting deadlines.
• Experience in rapid-response environments.

Responsibilities

• Plan, oversee, and support fundraising campaigns and donor communications.
• Develop calendars and timelines for campaigns, reports, events, and outreach.
• Provide year-round stewardship of Leadership Circle donors.
• Implement donor retention and engagement strategies.
• Manage donor relations staff to ensure high-quality communications.
• Coordinate prompt care for inquiries via email, notes, and calls.
• Research new prospects for major gifts and cultivate ownership of portfolios.
• Draft letters, emails, proposals, and reports for leadership donors.

Skills

Donor relations

Supervisory skills

Project management

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Microsoft Excel

Team collaboration

Rapid learning

Fundraising strategy

Tools

Donor CRM databases

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Title: Donor Relations Manager

Program: Development

Employment Type: Salary; Full-time; Regular

Reports to: Membership Director

Direct Reports: Donor Relations Associates

Salary Range: $76,000 - $85,000

Location: Hybrid, Tucson

ABOUT THE CENTER

The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non‑profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature— to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, the Center works to secure a future for all species through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climates that all species need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY

This supervisory role joins a successful fundraising team, supporting the growth of the mid and major donor journey while advancing the Center’s mission to protect imperiled wildlife and wild places. The Donor Relations Manager provides ongoing management of timely donor interactions, communications, campaigns and stewardship of the Center’s Leadership Circle (donors who individually contribute $1,000 or more annually). This cohort drives 80% of the Center’s philanthropic revenues from 4% of the membership base.

The Manager leads a small team of Donor Relations Associates, serves as project manager for seasonal and ad‑hoc multichannel fundraising campaigns, and cultivates its own portfolio of Leadership Circle donors. It also involves regular project‑management oversight for the execution of donor stewardship plans, campaign calendars, reports, events, and daily/weekly stewardship processes.

Daily responsibilities include donor communication quality control, administrative tasks such as maintaining donor records, analyzing database information, preparing reports, and researching individual donors. It requires frequent coordination with senior leaders, conservation program staff, communications, finance and IT.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, oversee, and support multiple fundraising campaigns, appeals and reports designed to increase philanthropic support from our Leadership Circle.
• Develop calendars and timelines for campaigns, reports, proposals, events, and outreach to donors.
• Provide year‑round stewardship of Leadership Circle members to meet and exceed fundraising goals.
• Implement stewardship plans to increase retention and engagement among key donors.
• Manage donor relations staff to ensure high‑quality, timely donor communications, stewardship and fundraising activities.
• Ensure prompt, high‑level care for incoming communications via email, handwritten notes, and phone calls.
• Research and identify new prospects for major gift development.
• Cultivate a portfolio of Leadership Circle donors and support staff in managing their own portfolios.
• Draft, format, and send letters, emails, proposals, reports, etc., for Leadership Circle, Owls Club, and individual and family funders; assist in preparation of MGOs.
• Engage Leadership Circle members through phone calls, Zoom, and occasional face‑to‑face meetings.
• Collaborate with membership and operations teams on direct mail and email campaigns and support stewardship for monthly donors.
• Ensure timely, high‑quality thank‑you emails, cards and calls, as well as formal tax‑receipt and acknowledgment letters.
• Review data with detail orientation to ensure donor communications follow pre‑set strategies and preferences.
• Plan, coordinate, and support implementation of donor events and webinars, and follow‑up communications after events.
• Assist Chief Development Officer on planned‑giving efforts via campaigns, regular Owls Club communications and welcome letters.
• Implement rapid communications in response to breaking news or information requests.
• Stay current on environmental movement trends and best practices for donor stewardship.
• Support additional projects as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Five to seven years of proven fundraising experience and caring for donors.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Extensive experience with donor relationship management databases.
• Excellent supervisory skills and experience managing a team of 2–3 people.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Analytical with strong attention to detail, organizational skill and accuracy in complex tasks.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel data work.
• Highly motivated, self‑confident, and diligent with a drive to move projects forward.
• Rapid learning ability and completion of tasks quickly.
• Experience in rapid‑response environments requiring quick, thoughtful decision making.
• Strong project‑management skills to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with quality‑control processes and procedures.
• High energy and excellent interpersonal skills, both independently and in a team.
• Deep affinity for the Center for Biological Diversity’s mission.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Seasonal increases in workload and hours typically occur between April–May and the fourth quarter through January. This hybrid position requires some on‑site presence; remote work is allowed as long as the environment is conducive to confidential member information, timely calls and replies, and productivity comparable to on‑site hours.

BENEFITS

For regular staff working 30+ hours a week:

• Fully paid medical, dental and vision premiums for staff and discounted for families.
• Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA.
• Lifestyle Spending Account for eligible wellness expenses.
• Center‑paid premiums for short‑term and long‑term disability and basic life insurance.
• Discounts for pet insurance program.

For all regular staff:

• 403(b) plan with employer match and increasing contributions.
• Generous time‑off policies: 13 paid holidays, 5 personal days, 15 vacation days annually (above the base rate commensurate with experience), and paid sick days at 10 days per year.
• Center‑paid time off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave, and even pet caretaker leave.
• After 5 years of service, a 12‑week paid sabbatical.
• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

JEDAI STATEMENT

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires. Everyone, regardless of current work authorization, will be considered.

Exempt Classification

Exempt; Professional. Reasoning: high degree of discretion and predominantly intellectual work, not standardized to a given period of time.