Manager, Institutional Advancement

Sesame Workshop; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sesame Workshop is seeking a Manager, Institutional Advancement to help drive an $8 million annual fundraising goal. Based in New York, the role advances relationships with private foundations and donor-advised funds, developing compelling proposals and reports while collaborating across teams to position new contracts.

The ideal candidate brings 3–4 years in fundraising, strong project management, exceptional writing, and data skills, with a hybrid work arrangement at the New York headquarters.

Qualifications

• BA degree or equivalent experience.
• 3-4 years of fundraising experience, preferably in early education or media.
• Strong project management and collaboration across teams.
• Excellent writing, organization, verbal communication and research skills.
• Strong attention to detail and relationship management.
• Data management and visualization skills; self-starter who can work independently.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint; Salesforce experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct prospect research and develop strategies based on research.
• Establish and nurture relationships with prospects from qualification to solicitation.
• Develop letters of inquiry, concept notes, and proposals for foundations and donor-advised funds.
• Partner with project managers to position new contracts.
• Review and submit interim and final reports for funders.
• Contribute to a team-wide cultivation and stewardship plan.
• Coordinate logistics for cultivation and stewardship events.
• Attend meetings to raise Sesame Workshop's profile with funding prospects.
• Ensure fundraising activities are tracked in Salesforce.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Skills

Project management

Writing

Relationship management

Data visualization

Self-starter

Education

BA degree

Tools

Salesforce

MS Office

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

About Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street and so much more. For over 50 years, we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts, all in service of empowering each generation to build a better world. Our beloved characters, iconic shows, outreach in communities, and more bring playful early learning to families in more than 190 countries and advance our mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Learn more atwww.sesame.organd follow Sesame Workshop onInstagram,TikTok, Facebook, and X.

Position Summary:

The Manager, Institutional Advancement reports to the Senior Director, Institutional Advancement within the Revenue Generation Department.

Purpose:

Sesame Workshop seeks a Manager, Institutional Advancement to join its dynamic Institutional Advancement team. The role will be responsible for contributing to an annual fundraising goal of approximately $8 million, securing approximately $1 million in revenue from private and family foundations and donor-advised funds to further the mission of Sesame Workshop.

Delivery:

• Conduct prospect research and develop and implement strategies based on that research.
• Establish and nurture relationships with prospects-both self-sourced and assigned from the Institutional Advancement pipeline-moving them from qualification to solicitation.
• Work collaboratively with Sesame Workshop teams to develop compelling letters of inquiry, concept notes, and proposals for submission to private and family foundations and institutions managing donor-advised funds.
• Partner with project managers to ensure successful start-up and positioning of new contracts.
• Review and submit interim and final reports for funders.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a team-wide annual cultivation and stewardship plan that enhances prospect relationships and advances the mission of Sesame Workshop.
• Assist in executing cultivation and stewardship events for the Institutional Advancement, Corporate, and Major Giving teams by coordinating vital logistics and workflows, including those related to initial outreach, catering, and post-event follow-up.
• Attend meetings to raise the profile of Sesame Workshop and connect with funding prospects.
• Ensure the timely and accurate tracking of fundraising activities in Salesforce.
• This role may perform other related duties as needed to support team and organizational priorities.

Engagement:

• Collaborate with other departments on proposal and report development and submission.
• Represent Sesame Workshop to institutional prospects and partners.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

• BA degree or equivalent experience
• 3-4 years of related experience - fundraising for early education or media a plus
• Must be a strong project manager with the ability to collaborate and solve problems with different teams across departments
• Excellent writing, organization, verbal communication, and research skills
• Must have a strong attention to detail
• Strong relationship management skills
• Strong data management and visualization skills
• Must be a self-starter and work independently as well as in a team setting
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; experience with Salesforce or other Customer Relationship Management system a distinct advantage

Sesame Workshop Hybrid Work Policy

This position is based at our headquarters office in New York (Manhattan) at 1900 Broadway, New York, NY, and follows a hybrid work model. In-office requirements vary by role and employee group, and currently range from two to five designated in-office days per week.

Pay Transparency Policy Statement

As a federal contractor, Sesame Workshop follows Pay Transparency and non-discrimination provisions as guided by the U.S. Department of Lab

Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE) Statement

Sesame Workshop is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy-related condition, familial status, domestic violence victim status, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

PSEA Statement

Sesame Workshop is an equal-opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on the business needs, job requirements & suitability of the candidate. Sesame Workshop strictly follows the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of program participants from exploitation and to clarify the responsibilities of Sesame Workshop staff, consultants, visitors to the program and partner organization, and the standards of behavior expected from them.