Development Manager (Hybrid)

Air & Space Forces Assoc•Arlington, VA

4d•$81,600 - $91,800•Hybrid

About The Position

The Development Manager plays a central role in AFA's philanthropic program, driving day-to-day execution of the annual fund and building a new mid-level giving program to deepen donor relationships and grow revenue. Reporting to the Vice President, Philanthropy, this position combines campaign strategy, compelling storytelling, and data-driven decision-making to advance AFA's mission among individual donors. This is an individual contributor role with no supervisory responsibilities. Applicants are asked to include a cover letter along with a resume.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent professional experience
3–5 years of fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in annual giving, direct response, and/or mid-level or major gifts

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated understanding of annual fund and mid-level giving best practices, donor lifecycle management, and moves management principles
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines simultaneously with high attention to detail
Experience using Salesforce or other CRM to manage donor data and track performance
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and email/digital marketing platforms
Confident, personable communicator able to build authentic relationships with donors by phone, email, and in person
Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft compelling, mission-driven donor communications
Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with experience interpreting campaign and donor data to guide decision-making
A proactive and problem-solving mindset, with comfort working both independently and collaboratively
Commitment to the mission of AFA

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the multi-channel annual fund strategy across direct mail, email, website, and social media to generate unrestricted general operating support from individual donors
Write and edit persuasive fundraising copy that translates AFA's mission into compelling impact stories
Lead annual fund data strategy by synthesizing Salesforce CRM data, prospect research, and campaign analytics to segment audiences, personalize messaging, and identify upgrade and reactivation opportunities — partnering with IT as needed
Build and monitor campaign performance reports (response rate, average gift, ROI, retention and upgrade rates) and translate results into actionable recommendations for future appeals
Partner across departments (Communications, Membership & Field Relations, Programs) to build on the existing AFA member experience and source stories, imagery, and engagement opportunities that inspire greater support
Manage annual fund vendor relationships and production timelines to ensure on-time, on budget delivery
Help design and launch AFA's new mid-level giving program, establishing strategy, moves management, and stewardship touchpoints for donors giving $1,000–$9,999 annually
Serve as the lead frontline fundraiser for this donor segment, conducting outreach and personalized engagement
Develop a tiered communications and engagement plan (personalized letters, calls, exclusive updates, invitations) that deepens donor connection and encourages increased giving
Identify and qualify new potential mid-level donors from the existing donor base
Set and track annual revenue, retention, and upgrade goals for the mid-level program
Create tailored stewardship materials (impact updates, personalized acknowledgments) that reflect this donor segment's giving level and interests
Identify donors with additional major-gift and planned-giving potential
Provide support to the VP, Philanthropy and broader Development team on special campaigns, events, and organization-wide fundraising initiatives as needed
Participate in team meetings, trainings, and professional development activities that strengthen AFA's overall fundraising program
Perform other duties as assigned in support of department and organizational goals