Development Manager

About the role

As the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D helps make everyday life with T1D better while driving toward cures. The Development Manager (DM) is integral in the day-to-day execution of integrated fundraising efforts to support our organizational strategy and mission. Their relationships with constituents and donors ensure the expansion of our reach to support maximum chapter and event growth. This role focuses on relationship building with donors and fundraising volunteers within an assigned event portfolio, driving impact and strengthening both donor and volunteer pipelines to increase revenue and results.

The Illinois Territory, one of the top-performing regions in the country, plays a vital role in the organization’s success, with 17 staff, 1 Chapter Board, and 10 events collectively driving over $27 million in total net revenue. This is a hybrid role, requiring in-office work two days a week and remote/field work three days a week.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising & Engagement – 60%
  • Implement revenue and engagement plans to drive year-over-year growth in the chapter, including individual and corporate supporter growth within the assigned event portfolio.
  • Achieve personal event revenue goals and support overall event, chapter revenue, and engagement goals.
  • Collaborate with national and chapter partners to implement annual strategies for corporate and individual donor engagement and stewardship at the event level.
  • Identify and develop new business with existing donors and new prospects.
  • Deploy stewardship strategies aligned with program standards, ensuring timely and consistent execution throughout the year.
  • Implement tactics and strategies to drive foundation and pipeline-building activities for long-term organizational success.
  • Retain, acquire, and activate supporters to meet fundraising and participation goals for current and future activities.
  • Secure and retain table hosts, guests, and event sponsors.
  • Acquire, cultivate, and solicit mid- and major-level Fund A Cure donors.
  • Design, plan, and implement cultivation events to inspire and engage key donors and volunteers.
  • Develop and implement audience development strategies to maximize giving night-of, including table spend and activation.
• Volunteer Management – 20%
  • Recruit, cultivate, and manage volunteer leaders to drive revenue as key partners, including event leadership and committees.
  • Ensure meaningful engagement of volunteers at all levels and maintain strong working relationships with key volunteer partners.
  • Partner with volunteer leadership to solicit funding and support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources.
• Awareness – 10%
  • Support and maintain the vision, mission, and priorities of Breakthrough T1D.
  • Articulate the strategic direction and purpose of the organization.
  • Demonstrate an educated and enthusiastic understanding of Breakthrough T1D’s mission and research therapeutics.
  • Promote mission engagement opportunities in research, advocacy, community engagement, and clinical trials.
  • Represent Breakthrough T1D’s interests, professionalism, and integrity in all activities and relationships.
• Administration and Management – 10%
  • Maintain departmental and organization-wide policies and procedures.
  • Develop expertise in fundraising management platforms, as appropriate.
  • Participate in monthly strategy meetings to monitor KPI progress, identify risks and opportunities, and ensure event success.
  • Partner annually with national program partners to establish budget and pipeline strategies specific to the event portfolio.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience (5+ years in donor development, volunteer engagement, operations, or project management). Nonprofit experience preferred.
• Five years of experience in volunteer team recruitment, development, retention, and stewardship.
• Successfully executed large-scale community-based events.
• 3-5 years of fundraising experience in a complex, mission-driven organization with revenue responsibilities exceeding $500k; experience with large-scale events (e.g., walk, gala).
• Strong skills in donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience partnering with strong and active volunteers, including managing large networks of passionate volunteers.
• High energy, integrity, courage, empathy, and creativity; a team player who can achieve individual and team objectives.
• Proven ability to maintain an extensive network of strategic relationships (donors, volunteers, community partners) in the local area. Existing knowledge and network in the territory preferred.
• Ability to serve as an enthusiastic spokesperson for Breakthrough T1D’s mission.
• Strong communication skills to inspire others to engage and support the mission.
• Highly efficient in time management and able to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM databases.
• Ability to travel locally; evening and weekend work as needed.

Essential Functions

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and infrequently up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Pay

Target salary range: $68,000–$74,000.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• Voluntary benefits, flexible spending, and commuter benefit accounts.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).
• Life and disability insurance.
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Generous paid time off.

Benefits may vary by job level and full-time or part-time status.