Stewardship Manager

National Aquarium; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

The National Aquarium seeks a Stewardship Manager to drive its major gifts program, oversee donor portfolios, and coordinate activities for the CEO and leadership team. You will craft compelling materials, manage calendars, and ensure timely reporting and moves management in Salesforce.

The role partners with senior stakeholders, coordinates events, and supports senior staff with communications and travel planning. A BA/BS plus 3+ years of major gifts experience is required.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in a related field required.
• Three+ years of experience in major gifts or philanthropy.
• Experience working with senior volunteers and governing boards.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, calendars, and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee major gifts activities and portfolios (up to 20 donors).
• Coordinate donor-facing activities for CEO and leadership staff.
• Prepare and distribute major gifts materials and correspondence.
• Maintain accurate activity records in Salesforce and drives moves management.
• Support SVP/CPO through scheduling, travel, and documentation.

Skills

Major gifts program knowledge

Senior-level volunteer liaison

Project management

Attention to detail

Strong written communication

Creative problem-solving

Discretion with confidential info

Education

BA/BS in related field

Tools

Office software

Job description

Candler

410-576-8532

111 Market Pl

Suite 800

Baltimore, MD 21202, USA

Description

Job Title: Stewardship Manager

Posting Date: November 2026

Schedule: Full Time

Job Type: On-site/Hybrid

Location: Candler 111 Market Pl Suite 800 Baltimore MD 21202

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Aquarium is seeking a Stewardship Manager as a key position for the Aquarium’s growing philanthropy program and is responsible for activities necessary to achieve annual fundraising goals exceeding $15.6 million. Provide high quality and timely oversight of day-to-day major gifts activities and initiatives. Coordinate action lists, oversee project plans, update and manage task lists and calendar items for CEO, senior staff and senior volunteers. Manage the preparation and distribution of major gift related correspondence, publications, and other written materials, such as call memos, draft letters, and contact reports. Participate in devising strategy and ensuring full and high-quality implementation. Manage a portfolio of up to 20 donors and prospects.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Essential responsibilities include:

Management of National Aquarium Leadership Portfolios

• In coordination with development leadership staff, create prospect strategy development by sharing ideas for engagement informed by the prospect’s background, known interests and prior activities, in conjunction with knowledge of Aquarium programs and opportunities.
• Coordinate donor facing activities for CEO and other leadership staff and volunteers.
• Maintain current list of actions for CEO and volunteers; ensure that they are up to date for weekly meetings and work sessions.
• Working with department colleagues, ensure CEO and volunteers have necessary support materials for each development activity through the creation of call memos, meeting prep, and draft correspondence.
• Working with Executive Office, coordinate development activities on CEO calendar; maintain inventory of “development holds”; ensure calendar is accurate and complete
• Facilitate timely debriefs of CEO and volunteer development actions; capture all activities and contact reports in SalesForce.

Provides Senior Vice President/Chief Philanthropy Officer (SVP/CPO) with high quality support.

• Provides support to SVP/CPO by drafting personalized correspondence and other documents, initiating telecommunications, and collecting and analyzing information.
• Maintains SVP/CPO’s schedule by planning and scheduling meetings, conferences, teleconferences, and travel.
• Provides support with expense reports, travel planning and meeting planning to the SVP/CPO.
• Works as liaison and record keeper for board committees support by the SVP/CPO.

Create materials for major gifts meetings and solicitations, including presentations, proposals, reports, and letters, working with colleagues across the organization to as necessary to gather materials and information.

Manage arrangements for major donor meetings, tours and events as necessary, including reserving space, and coordinating catering, materials and logistics. Greet guests, join visits and serve as primary tour guide when necessary.

Support SVP in ensuring complete and accurate information on major gifts donors and prospect in Sales Force, including moves management, proposal status and action information.

VIP Tour Engagement: Establish and lead a robust donor engagement program and act as a single point of contact for the Aquarium’s Board, Leadership Team, External Affairs, and Philanthropy stakeholders. Work with appropriate staff to ensure a program that dramatically, consistently, improves the guest experience and is designed for continuous evaluation and improvement, leading to better experiences, strong connections to conservation, and more dynamic relationships with donors and key stakeholders. Create tours and experiences that can be replicated by other members of the staff.

Support company mission.

Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

Other duties as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA/BS in related field and at least three years of experience working on a major gifts program.
• Experience working with senior level volunteers required.
• Experience managing complex projects, calendars and timelines required.
• Knowledge of the major gift development and stewardship process
• Ability to manage multiple projects on overlapping timelines and demonstrate flexibility with priorities
• High attention to detail
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Expert facility with standard office software
• Outstanding communication skills, both oral and written
• Creative problem-solving abilities
• Knowledge of the Aquarium, its operations, leaders and vision for the future
• Ability to discretely manage a variety of confidential information

Human Relations:

• Work effectively with colleagues across the organization, in addition to organizational leadership, Board Members, volunteers and donors.
• Highly responsive and eager to support projects and requests.
• Sincere interest in stewarding donor relationships and investments, and a desire to work in a donor-centered development culture and produce products of exceptionally high quality.
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Salary range ($45,000-$55,699 Annual). National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including four weeks paid time off, and six paid floating holidays and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work.The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.

Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.

In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.