Senior Managing Director, Emerging Markets
What You’ll Do
All prospect & donor management roles on Field Fundraising teams are responsible for cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and managing a portfolio of donors who share our commitment to ensuring all children have access to an equitable and excellent education. The SMD, Emerging Markets, will lead field fundraising team members in Colorado, Washington, and South Dakota markets. Additionally, you will partner directly with the Executive Directors in California Capital Valley and San Diego (alongside the Southern California team) to assess feasibility and advance fundraising.
What You'll Be Responsible For
Develop and execute a comprehensive multi-year fundraising strategy across the Emerging Markets vertical, with a focus on strengthening existing funding streams, expanding philanthropic support, and driving new donor acquisition to maximize public and private revenue.
Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects across multiple funding streams. Cultivate, solicit, steward, and deepen relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations, and public-sector partners to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
Lead and develop a team of fundraising professionals, providing coaching, accountability, and strategic guidance while overseeing performance against individual and team fundraising goals.
Partner closely with internal and external/stakeholders to assess market opportunities, align fundraising strategies with local priorities, navigate the and philanthropic landscape, and build relationships that advance revenue growth and long-term sustainability.
Maintain accurate donor, prospect, and fundraising activity information within the CRM and leverage data, reporting, and portfolio analysis to monitor performance, identify opportunities, and inform strategy adjustments.
Contribute to team and organizational priorities, foster collaboration across development functions, and support initiatives that strengthen fundraising effectiveness.
A Week in the Life
A typical week in this role blends strategic leadership, frontline fundraising, and team development. You'll partner with Executive Directors, advisory board members, and development staff to advance fundraising strategies, assess market opportunities, and drive revenue growth. You'll cultivate relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and public-sector partners, while coaching team members, reviewing portfolio performance, and advancing significant gift opportunities. Through a combination of relationship-building, strategy, and leadership, you'll help strengthen and grow the Emerging Markets portfolio.
Required Qualifications
At least 10+ years of related experience in development and fundraising with experience soliciting and securing 5- and 6-figure gifts
Bachelor’s Degree
Track record of meeting and exceeding ambitious goals as a donor portfolio manager and is an experienced people manager
Fundraising experience in the Western USA states
Prior to Qualifications
Preferred: Fundraising certification (i.e. CRFE/CRFM or the equivalent) and/or related Master’s Degree (e.g. MBA, M, Non-Profit Management)
Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in several markets that comprise the Emerging Markets vertical
Experience managing geographically dispersed teams