Development Senior Manager

Job Description Position Overview The Senior Manager (Foundations) is responsible for the development and management of a portfolio of current and potential institutional and foundation funders. A major requirement of this position will be to manage and oversee the organization’s relationship with one of RMI’s largest funders; up to 50% of the position will be focused on managing one account. The Senior Manager will also manage a portfolio of other key funder accounts. The Senior Manager will be a key contributor to the development team and will be essential to the achievement of the organization’s fundraising goals.

Please attached a Cover Letter for consideration.

Responsibilities

• Manage, maintain and grow the relationship with one of RMI’s largest funders to ensure that we meet our joint strategic goals. Lead, coordinate, and conduct all tasks to support the relationship, including coordinating conversations between RMI program & communications teams, and the funder; submitting proposals, reports, and materials within deadlines; respond to complex, rapid-response inquires fully and within deadline; provide RMI CEO and Chief Development Officer with updates on the status of conversations with the funder. Understand the funders’ priorities, partnerships, and network. Ensure that only the highest-level priorities are put in front of the funder. Represent RMI’s work to the funder, and be adept at “leading from behind” to put programmatic experts in front of the funder.
• Advance foundation relationships that result in large philanthropic contributions for RMI through strategic engagement, including in-person and virtual visits, email correspondence, and telephone conversations with prospects and donors.
• Identify, qualify, solicit and steward a portfolio of dozens of new and prospective foundation accounts with capacity to make 6-8 figure grants.
• Provide high quality experience for funders and potential funders through education and engagement on RMI’s clean energy program portfolio, cultivating, soliciting, stewarding gifts.
• Act as a fundraising partner to Senior Directors and Directors in support of managing major, complex accounts.
• Work with the Strategic Services and Research Team to gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to realize the current and lifetime giving potential of prospects.
• Work collaboratively with program teams to gain a comprehensive understanding of RMI work and build strong working relationships with program leaders.
• Lead the process of developing successful grant proposals and pre-proposal concept notes and applications; work closely with colleagues on RMI’s program, accounting, and communications teams to write and submit timely grant proposals to funders. This often includes translating technical information into accessible written and verbal language that will compel donors to support key programs and projects.
• Lead the process of submitting regular stewardship reports to funders during and after a grant term.
• Prepare meeting briefings, strategic planning for meeting goals and roles, and prepare communications and materials, designing meeting content, and coordinate activities with program and finance colleagues.
• Increase size of grants from existing donors, while also proactively identifying, qualifying, and soliciting grants from new foundations.
• Use Salesforce database to document moves management process and provide accurate relationship status and financial projections for portfolio.
• Serve as a liaison between 1-2 program teams and the development teams to ensure the programs are consistently “fundraising ready”.
• Represent RMI’s Development Team’s strategy and ethos in conversations and meetings with program teams and senior executives at RMI.
• Serve as a leading, active member of the development team; support the implementation of the development team’s short- and long-term objectives; engage with the development team by attending staff meetings, serving on special task forces, participating in development-program meetings, and understanding and contributing to development strategy and overall mission.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience

• 6+ years experience in non-profit fundraising, with a track record of successful solicitation of philanthropic gifts.
• 3+ years experience fundraising from foundations, with a track record of successful solicitation of multiple 6-8 figure grants both independently and in partnership with programs or organizational leadership.
• Demonstrated experience doing the following:
• Managing complex proposal processes involving multiple stakeholders from across an organization
• Writing winning grant applications or proposals.
• Working successfully with top level Executives in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working in environment, climate or energy field strongly desired.
• International experience desired but not required.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time when conditions allow

General

• Knowledge of RMI’s mission and objectives as well as the principles and practices of non-profit organizations.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with RMI staff, Board members, community groups and other associated agencies.
• Able to navigate and understand a complicated funding environment with the flexibility to change course quickly with a positive attitude.

Compensation

RMI compensates based on the level and requirements of the role. Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. A new Sr Manager based in the U.S. joins at a salary range of $115,670-$142,564. You would also have an additional 10% bonus target!  

Benefits     

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:     

• Medical, dental, vision insurance    
• 403b retirement options (up to 5% match immediately)    
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability    
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off and sick leave
• Parental leave    
• Flexible working hours
• Commuter and work from home stipends

RMI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.