Senior Director, Individual Giving

We are seeking a Senior Director, Individual Giving, to grow and diversify philanthropic support from individuals and to strengthen our pipeline of major and leadership gifts. This role will build and steward relationships with donors and prospects, create clear upgrade pathways across giving levels, and expand Manomet’s reach through engagement with financial advisors and other philanthropic intermediaries.

The Senior Director, Individual Giving reports to the Vice President, External Relations, and works closely with development and communications staff, the President, and program leaders to create compelling opportunities for support.

Manomet is a 501(c)(3) organization that empowers stakeholders through science and works with partners to make a world where ecosystems and human communities thrive. Since Manomet’s beginnings as a bird banding operation in 1969, its science and research have expanded to focus on ecosystem management and resilience, shorebird conservation, and educating tomorrow’s leaders about the importance of the natural world. Workplace diversity, science, and climate change are the fundamental principles driving Manomet’s work today.

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects with clear annual revenue and activity goals; conduct discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Develop tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for priority donors, including individualized engagement plans, timelines, and next-step recommendations.
• Prepare donor proposals and customized materials (e.g., tailored cases for support, funding opportunity summaries, and multi-year request language) in partnership with program and communications colleagues.
• Build and maintain a strong donor pipeline, including consistent qualification of new prospects and structured upgrade strategies across giving levels.
• Partner with the Vice President, External Relations, and the President on major gift strategies, donor meetings, and solicitations—providing concise briefings, talking points, and follow‑up plans.
• Develop and implement an advisor engagement program (financial/wealth advisors, estate attorneys, CPAs, philanthropic consultants), including advisor briefings and easy‑to‑use materials that support referrals.
• Lead stewardship strategy for portfolio of assigned donors, ensuring timely and personal acknowledgments, meaningful impact updates, and ongoing engagement that supports renewals and upgrades.
• Track and report progress in the Customer Relationship Management System (CRM), including moves management, pipeline health, proposals, forecasting, and results; use data to refine strategy and improve performance over time.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with development operations, communications, and program teams to ensure consistent donor experience and strong alignment between fundraising priorities and program needs.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

10-15+ years of individual giving/major gifts experience, including success securing 5- and 6‑figure gifts.

• Strong relationship‑building and communication skills; comfort engaging high‑net‑worth donors and professional advisors.
• Excellent writing skills for proposals, donor communications, and briefings.
• Highly organized, metrics‑driven, and experienced using a CRM.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and support colleagues effectively.
• High degree of initiative and ability to work independently.
• Commitment to Manomet’s mission and interest in supporting a more sustainable world.
• Occasional night and weekend work may be required, particularly around events.
• Must have a reliable method of transportation and a valid driver’s license.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must successfully pass a background check.

• Ability and willingness to travel to various locations in the US as necessary to complete job duties. Travel may also be international. Travel is reimbursed. (If applicable)
• Normal office business environment.
• Occasional walking up and down stairs, standing, and bending.
• Hybrid remote work possible.