Development Manager, Democracy

WHO WE ARE

Third Plateau is an impact consultancy partnering with philanthropy, nonprofits, and communities to build the infrastructure of change. One of Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators!

OUR APPROACH
Third Plateau is built on a simple premise: creating lasting social good requires more than good intentions. Society’s most complex challenges are deeply rooted, interconnected, and resistant to quick fixes.

Philanthropists, foundations, and nonprofit leaders know this and are up for the challenge, bringing their passions and ambitions day in and day out. To realize that potential, they’re looking for a partner who brings the experience to design great strategies and the capacity to see them through. Third Plateau was built exactly for this work. Interested applicants are encouraged to learn more about our approach and our company values. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

As part of its portfolio of democracy-focused projects, Third Plateau manages a pooled fund that invests in protection infrastructure for pro-democracy civil society organizations and actors from across the ideological spectrum. Since its establishment in 2024, the fund has regranted over $20 million in this space. The fund now seeks a Development Manager to support the next phase of its growth, as annual fundraising targets continue to expand significantly over the coming years. 

The Development Manager will play an important role in fundraising toward our budgetary goals. As Development Manager, you will research, identify, and help cultivate donors. Your job will include a range of responsibilities, including supporting the fund’s Director to identify and connect with high-potential prospective funders, shaping development systems and policies, contributing to grant proposals and reports, and project managing across development activity streams. Along with these duties, you will help develop our longer-term development strategy.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Strategy & Leadership 

• Support the Fund Director to iterate on and implement an individual and foundation development strategy that enables the Fund to realize its mission.
• Project manage the activities of the Fund team and partners who hold donor relationships and are responsible for fundraising activities.
• Support the Fund Director to report to and engage the Fund's committees around fundraising/development progress.
• Delegate or partner effectively with the Fund's Development and Grants Associate to accomplish development responsibilities.

Donor Pipeline & Relationship Management 

• Hold donor relationships with small-to-mid-level donors, leading cultivation and stewardship activities as appropriate.
• Manage day-to-day donor pipeline activities: identification, engagement, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship of current and prospective donors.
• Support the Fund's ongoing communications with current and potential funders.
• Accompany the Fund Director to fundraising meetings as requested 

Prospect Research & Meeting Preparation 

• Conduct prospect research and maintain an active prospect list.
• Prepare detailed meeting briefs and prospect profiles for the Fund team in advance of donor meetings. 

Grant Writing & Fundraising Materials 

• In partnership with the Fund’s Associate and Director, write, edit, and submit grant proposals and reports.
• Ensure that the Fund's fundraising materials, grant proposals and reports, including relevant financial statements, are prepared and delivered to funders in a timely manner.
• Create and maintain fundraising materials. 

Operations & Administration 

• Manage the Fund's development calendar, including proposal and report deadlines.
• Manage the Fund's donor database/s, including ensuring all records are accurate and improving functionality as needed.
• In partnership with the Fund's fiscal sponsor team and Associate, track donations, manage donor follow up as needed, and ensure that acknowledgements are sent. 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 

• 7-9 years of relevant nonprofit/fundraising experience and a bachelor's degree (or similar experience).
• Experience as part of a development team raising money from charitable foundations and/or individual donors.
• Proven project management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly proficient web research skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple and inflexible deadlines.
• Ability to lead and work across multiple projects simultaneously with high-quality results.
• Previous donor management experience.
• Professional and personable demeanor (will be interacting with current and potential donors).
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and  Airtable or other CRM platforms. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Previous grant writing and fundraising experience.
• Familiarity with budgets and nonprofit finance.
• Experience with donor management software/platforms.
• Experience in and knowledge of nonprofit work related to strengthening U.S. democracy and/or civil society protection. 

• Remote-First Approach
• Flexible & Generous Time Off
• 100% employer-paid options for medical, dental, and vision coverage for you, with employer contributions toward dependent coverage
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability and life insurance
• Employer contribution of up to $850 to your Health Savings Account

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA, DCFSA and Commuter)
• Initial home office stipend of $550, with $250 provided annually thereafter
• $110/monthly cell phone and home internet stipend
• 13 weeks paid parental and medical leave
• Annual discretionary bonus based on both company performance and individual performance
• Up to $500 annually to invest in your mental, emotional, and physical well-being
• Access to curated learning opportunities and team-based growth experiences to support the professional development of our team 

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you're new to this field, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career, we would be glad to have you on our radar.

At Third Plateau, we believe in the power of diverse teams. In our recruiting efforts, we always seek to reach a broad and diverse pool of applicants to ensure our final candidates are not a homogeneous group in terms of demographics or experience. You can read more about our commitment to Equity & Belonging here. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds. Third Plateau is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to their race, color, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.

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