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DevelopmentSalt Lake City, UT

Development Manager


ABOUT THE POSITION in the role of the Development Manager (DM), you will report to the Playworks Utah Executive Director (ED), work collaboratively with program leaders in Utah and org-wide development staff, and have both internal and external facing responsibilities.  

The DM works closely with the ED to design and implement annual development plans in order to ensure regional fund development targets and budgetary goals are met. The DM is directly responsible for identifying and attracting various funding sources including Foundation and Corporate Partnerships, Public Funding and individual donors. They plan, coordinate and implement events, and are responsible for attending, assisting and representing Playworks at various fundraising events, engagements, and corporate and community functions. Success in this role requires excellence in strategic relationship management and project management. The DM will need to translate strategic vision across internal/external teams in order to successfully execute programs and deliver outcomes that impact key organizational priorities. 

The most successful candidate will have an existing network of regional individuals that can be leveraged for the region’s benefit. They will have a proven track record of motivating and mobilizing diverse stakeholders to deliver on shared goals as well as demonstrated success working collaboratively across regions and departments within an organization. This role requires the ability to leverage data to shape and execute on key strategies developed in partnership with leadership. 

This is a full-time, salaried and exempt position that reports to the Executive  Director and is based in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

FUNDRAISING:

  • Relationship Management: One of the primary relationship managers for current and prospective philanthropic partners including a portfolio of individual, foundations and corporate partners. Help lead and execute growth strategies for key accounts, including renewals and expansions of current philanthropic partnerships. Develop new prospects, and volunteer engagement. Be accountable for a fundraising target, including leading solicitation and/or new prospect meetings when appropriate.
  • Event Management: Lead strategy, planning, and execution of 2-3 annual special events. Oversee and project manage event timelines, secure sponsorships, keynote and program development, marketing collateral production, and onsite solicitations as appropriate. Manage event logistics and coordinate internal efforts so all events are donor centric and deliver an increased knowledge and understanding of Playworks’ impact.
  • Individual Donor Cultivation and Management: Manage and coordinate individual donor solicitations such as spring and end of year appeal, major donor campaigns, peer to peer fundraising campaigns and other events
  • Corporate Partner Volunteer Engagement: Manage and expand the corporate volunteer program to bring additional volunteers to the Playworks community. Oversee and manage corporate volunteer project timelines, including scheduling, coordinating with internal/external parties, material preparation, budget oversight, onsite facilitation, pre/post communications with participants and selected cultivation. These include but are not limited to: Playground Beautifications , Play Days, and Corporate Recess (Virtual and In-Person).
  • Presentation Materials & Funding Proposals: Lead the creation of pitch decks, corporate and foundation grant proposals & reports, event briefs, volunteer impact reports, and stewardship pieces that can be used for all levels of services and various needs (physical activity, social and emotional learning, trauma-informed care, mental well being, etc.)  Research, prepare and submit foundation grants and corporate requests.
  • Pipeline Management: Responsible for building and managing a foundation, corporate and individual donor pipeline to achieve philanthropic and relationship management goals, including renewals and final reports. 
  • Research: Responsible for researching and identifying new sources of support, including proactively conducting outreach to initiate and strengthen relationships.
  • Board Partnership and Development In collaboration with the ED, support and promote the recruitment and retention of Playworks Utah regional board, set and host monthly meetings and support, implement and coordinate Board fundraising plans and activities.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATION:

  • Conduct fundraising and brand awareness campaigns for Playworks Utah region.
  • Partner with staff to develop and manage Playworks Utah’s social media strategy. Implement tactics to increase the number of followers; deepen engagement across Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest platforms; manage and drive increased inbound traffic to our regional website; create and/or localize newsletters. Use analytics to develop an online strategy for increased awareness. 
  • Collaborate with Utah program staff and Mountain hub staff to collect, organize/archive, and publish local success stories on relevant platforms.
  • Write and edit news releases, op-eds, post-event recaps, and advisories; pitch press outlets to generate stories and profiles resulting in successful media impressions through TV, print, radio, digital and social; respond to all inbound media requests.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT:

  • Data Management: Enter and maintain accurate information within databases in order to ensure data integrity and efficiency of information. Work to gain deeper knowledge of internal systems in order to maximize potential in Salesforce and other platforms as appropriate.
  • Analysis: Responsible for tracking and reporting on key metrics in order to produce fundraising, event, and volunteer reports on a regular basis. Expected to leverage data to shape and strengthen internal strategies.
  • Calendar Management: Support and maintain the Grant, Development and Marketing  calendars to ensure all corporate, volunteer, and event deadlines are successfully met.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Commitment to excellence and passion for Playworks’ mission.  Comfort with leading and actively engaging in play and a playful culture.
  • Strong knowledge of fundraising strategies including grant seeking, individual donor cultivation, corporate employee volunteer programs and event production
  • At least 3 years of development and account management experience with a documented history of successful fundraising.  This includes a proven track record of meeting development/sales goals, identifying and cultivating new business prospects and identifying and securing 5-figure grants, contributions, or gifts from foundations, corporations, and individuals.
  • Familiarity with regional Utah market and knowledge of local business, civic and cultural communities. 
  • Excellent written, oral communication, and presentation skills. Strong public speaking, persuasive and error-free writing and effective conversational skills are essential.
  • Superb relationship management skills and interpersonal skills both in person and remote/virtual
  • High-energy individual who takes initiative, has a positive, can-do outlook, entrepreneurial approach, sense of humor, perseverance, and the ability to thrive in a changing environment. 
  • Ability to be flexible and team oriented. 
  • Excellent planning and organizational skills with strong attention to detail and proven ability to independently manage and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously and  to meet tight deadlines. 
  • Cultural competency: must possess the ability to work with a diverse group of internal and external individuals, agencies, causes and businesses. 
  • Intermediate skills in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) as well as Google Suite (Gmail, Sheets, Docs, etc.). 
  • Proficiency in database applications and data analysis required, preferably Salesforce.
  • Ability to lift 30 pounds.
  • Willingness to provide support outside of regular business hours (ex. industry events/meetings occasionally occur on nights and weekends) and to travel on occasion.
  • Regional and statewide travel required.  Must have access to reliable transportation.
  • Bilingual applicants encouraged to apply.

Compensation & Benefits:

Playworks offers the full package - great benefits, a fun place to work and an opportunity to grow professionally. We offer:

  • At Playworks, our starting salary takes into consideration internal pay equity, geographic pay differential and robust external market data. We highly value transparency and equity within compensation and therefore are committed to adhering to established compensation pay points. The starting salary for this position is $59,100.
  • A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, life insurance, employee funded pre-tax health and child care spending accounts.
  • Generous Flexible PTO policy and paid sick and holiday leave.

This is a hands-on, creative, playful and fun-loving place to work, all while contributing to the success of our nation’s youth. So if you're ready to immerse yourself in the education sector, working on a rewarding set of challenges and if you've got the skills, experience, passion, and a team spirit, apply!

Please include:

  • A cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role.
  • Resume.
  • If we think you’re the right fit, we’ll request your references; there’s no need to include them at the outset.

ABOUT PLAYWORKS, at Playworks we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We are changing the school climate by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day. We create a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills by partnering with schools, districts, and after-school programs through services including digital engagement, on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support play, and consultative partnerships.


We are committed to racial equity, and we make a particular effort to recruit people of color, indigenous people, gender non-binary people, and people with historically more marginalized identities to apply for open positions. Our core values of cultivating play, center equity, continued learning and collaboration within communities are the foundation of our organization and are infused in all aspects of our work. 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself!

As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates for employment, volunteering opportunities or board service on a merit basis.

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