Senior Development Manager

Application Instructions

Click Apply to submit your online application. Please attach a resume and thoughtful cover letter on the "My Experience" page in the "Resume/CV" field.

Active City Year Staff members must login to Workday to apply internally.

Position Overview

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications

• 2+ years of progressive fundraising or sales experience or comparable relationship management experience, demonstrating readiness to independently own portfolios and processes

• Bachelor’s Degree in nonprofit management, communications, public administration, business administration, marketing, fundraising, or a related field; or comparable professional experience

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills

• Authorized documentation to work in the United States of America

• Criminal background history clearance to work with school-age children, depending on the position

Responsibilities

The Senior Development Manager will perform the following roles and responsibilities: 

Fundraising Strategy & Execution

• Under direction from the Executive Director, support the execution of a comprehensive, site-specific fundraising strategy, aligned with City Year’s enterprise direction, to meet or exceed annual revenue goals of approximately $1 million, and position the organization for long-term growth

• Inspire, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through personalized engagement with an emphasis on major gifts and multi‑year commitments

• Support the refinement of City Year Giving Circles initiatives and increase participation with individual donor gifts of $10,000+

• With the Executive Director, develop and deepen institutional partnerships with corporations and foundations to secure and sustain significant support, including stewardship and growth of Team Sponsors at the $100,000+ level

• Collaborate with the national Development team to steward and deliver on multi-site and national partnerships

• Oversee the development of compelling grant proposals and ensure timely, accurate funder reporting

• Monitor and report on revenue performance and pipeline health; use data insights to identify process improvements and optimize fundraising strategies

Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio that contributes to the site’s private revenue target of $810,000 consisting of donors and prospects with $25,000+ giving capacity, including prospects with $100,000+ potential

• Conduct 50+ meaningful donor engagements annually, including meetings, calls, and stewardship touchpoints

• Maintain accurate, timely donor records, call reports, and moves‑management updates in Salesforce, using CRM data to prioritize work, identify barriers, and inform next steps

Team Collaboration

• Coordinate and equip site staff with tools and strategies to support fundraising efforts

• Partner closely with Impact staff and AmeriCorps members to connect fundraising efforts with program priorities and elevate the authentic impact of City Year’s work

• Help foster team collaboration and belonging, contribute to site-wide goals, and role model a growth mindset and commitment to City Year’s culture and values

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to advance City Year’s mission

Board Engagement

• Partner with the Executive Director to engage the Board in fundraising and advocacy efforts

• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board Development Committee

• Support strategies to achieve 100% board giving and increase board-led prospecting and stewardship

Events Leadership

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to manage special events that raise awareness of City Year, and to fundraise and engage individuals, foundations, and corporations as champions and donors; Events include but are not limited to: City Year San Antonio Gala, Specialty Market Events, and Private Receptions

• Ensure events are mission-centered, well-produced, and effective in advancing donor cultivation goals

Marketing, Communications & Community Engagement

• Working closely with site and national leadership, plan the strategy of donor engagement across sectors: private, government, and education (state policy, district funding)

• Build meaningful relationships that result in securing both monetary and in-kind multi-year support

• Oversee marketing and branding strategy, including promotional materials, web content, and donor communications

• Represent City Year at external events and community engagements to elevate visibility and build new relationships

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building or leading a diversified fundraising program or comparable relationship‑management strategies (e.g., individual giving, major gifts, foundations, corporate partnerships, or similarly complex stakeholder portfolios)

• Experience leading cross functional initiatives

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive writing and presentations tailored to external partners (e.g., donors, funders, or senior stakeholders)

• Comfort representing the organization publicly with donors, civic leaders, and corporate partners

• Proficiency in CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite

• City Year/AmeriCorps experience a plus

• Strong fundraisers come from many paths; we value transferable relationship building experience and encourage candidates with varied backgrounds to apply

Competencies

In order to succeed in this role, an applicant must have the following competencies:

• Project Management: Plans, organizes, and manages complex fundraising initiatives and events to ensure timely, high-quality execution

• Decision-Making: Uses data and qualitative insights to make informed decisions, anticipate challenges, remove barriers to progress, and escalate issues when appropriate to keep work moving forward

• Understanding & Building Connection: Cultivates trust-based, meaningful relationships with donors, board members, partners, and staff to strengthen organizational support

• Strategic Thinking: Develops and implements multi-year strategies to drive revenue, translating them into clear priorities, systems, and sustained execution

• Collaboration: Works effectively across teams; builds shared purpose and alignment; models inclusive, mission-centered leadership

Physical requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods and occasionally stand or walk

• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, and handling office equipment

• Visual acuity to read screens and printed materials

• Hearing ability to participate in conversations and respond to phone calls

• Occasional lifting of items up to 10–20 lbs (e.g., event materials)

Working Conditions

• Most work will be on-site either at the City Year San Antonio office, or at meetings with external partners and stakeholders, with some travel to partner schools

• Potential for remote work opportunities may be available as the work gets underway

• Generally operates in a professional office environment using standard office equipment

• Requires regular local travel to donor meetings, events, and community engagements

• Typical schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:30AM-5:00PM, with occasional evening or weekend commitments

• Requires a valid driver’s license for travel as part of job duties

• Must have reliable internet access for any potential hybrid work opportunities

• Noise level generally moderate

Compensation

Starting salary range is $65,000 - $70,000 annually commensurate with experience

Benefits

Full-time employees will be eligible for all benefits including vacation, sick days and organization holidays. You may participate in all benefit programs that City Year establishes and makes available to eligible employees, under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs. Currently, City Year offers medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and other benefits including 401(k) plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of company policy and the 401(k) plan document. For more information, click here.

Employment at City Year is at-will. 

City Year does not sponsor work authorization visas.