Development Manager, North America

Open only to candidates in New York, NY or San Francisco, CA

About the Role

Room to Read is seeking an experienced Development Manager to help grow philanthropic revenue across North America, our largest fundraising market. Reporting to the Development Director, North America, this role manages a portfolio of major donors while helping expand the organization's donor pipeline and supporting regional fundraising initiatives. This is a relationship-focused fundraising role for someone who enjoys cultivating donors, making solicitations, and building long-term partnerships. The successful candidate is proactive, collaborative, results-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Major Gift Fundraising (65%)
  • Manage and grow a portfolio of individual, family foundation, corporate, and foundation donors with annual fundraising goals of approximately $2 million.
  • Cultivate, solicit, steward, and retain donors through meaningful engagement and relationship management.
  • Identify new funding opportunities and develop strategies to acquire, retain, and upgrade donors.
  • Prepare donor communications, including proposals, concept notes, stewardship reports, and correspondence.
  • Maintain regular in-person and virtual meetings with donors and prospects.
• Donor Pipeline & Program Support (20%)
  • Support the continued growth of the North American Mid-Net-Worth donor program by identifying and qualifying prospective donors for cultivation and upgrade.
  • Partner with the Development Director and cross-functional colleagues to implement donor engagement strategies and strengthen the major donor pipeline.
  • Maintain accurate donor records, pipeline activity, and fundraising information in Salesforce.
• Market Planning & Collaboration (15%)
  • Support regional fundraising planning, forecasting, and pipeline reviews.
  • Partner with Marketing & Communications and Global Business Operations to support donor communications and fundraising initiatives.
  • Support fundraising events by identifying, cultivating, and stewarding prospective donors before and after events.
  • Contribute to special projects and other departmental initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5-7 years of progressive fundraising experience, including major gift fundraising and portfolio management.
• Demonstrated success personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Experience managing donor portfolios and achieving fundraising goals.
• Strong relationship-building and donor stewardship skills.
• Experience identifying and developing donor pipelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and donor presentations.
• Experience using fundraising CRM systems (Salesforce preferred).
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability and willingness to meet donors regularly throughout the New York or San Francisco area and travel as needed.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistently achieve annual fundraising goals.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with donors and prospects.
• Expand the donor pipeline through effective cultivation and stewardship.
• Collaborate effectively across teams to advance North American fundraising priorities.
• Demonstrate initiative, accountability, and sound judgment while managing competing priorities.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid premiums for your medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 50% medical and 100% dental and vision premium coverage for eligible dependents
• 22 days of PTO (+1 additional day accrued each year up to 27 days)
• 12.5 paid holidays
• Next month enrollment in a 401(k) plan with up to a 6% match
• $600/yr allowance for home office
• Certified Great Place to Work

Pay

The salary range for this role is $88,000 to $106,000. Compensation may vary depending on several factors including, but not limited to, experience, skill set, and relevant education or certifications.

About the Organization

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow – creating lasting change. Through our Literacy Portfolio, we train and coach teachers of the early grades in literacy instruction; create and publish quality books and curricular materials in local languages; and establish children’s libraries filled with diverse children’s books that can be enjoyed at school and home. Our Gender Equality Portfolio supports adolescents, particularly girls, in developing life skills that promote gender equality, helping them to pursue lifelong learning and make informed decisions. We support young people of all genders to overcome gender biases and build the knowledge and skills to create a gender-equal world. Room to Read collaborates with local communities, partner organizations, publishers, and governments to test and implement innovative models that can be integrated into the education system to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale. To date, Room to Read has benefited more than 50 million children in 28 countries.