Wild & Scenic Film Festival Development Manager

South Yuba River Citizens League • Nevada City, CA

212d • $34 - $37

About The Position

The WSFF Development Manager will play a key leadership role at Wild & Scenic Film Festival, reporting directly to the Festival Director and working closely with a small team including Wild & Scenic staff, SYRCL Development staff, and the SYRCL Board of Directors. This position will spearhead the execution of Wild & Scenic Film Festival’s fundraising strategy, ensuring alignment with both programming objectives and the current Strategic Plan. Collaborating with Festival leadership, programming staff, and the Board, the Development Manager will focus on expanding and diversifying funding sources, maintaining existing support, and identifying new opportunities and acquisitions with foundations, corporations, government agencies, major gift donors, and event-driven initiatives. While supported by the Festival Director and Development team, the Development Manager must be a proactive and self-motivated leader with major gift expertise and an established pool of potential funding sources. Proven experience soliciting five figure gifts and established connections are paramount to the proper candidate, with a preference for those already established in the arts and humanities sphere. Expectations are for this position to generate $200,000 or more in their first year with a target of sustaining $500,000 in diversified funding once established in their position.

Requirements

• Over 5 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or a related field, with a proven record of successful campaigns, grant writing, and major gift fundraising, ideally within the arts or environmental nonprofit sector.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong donor relationships, and experience leading volunteer teams in executing effective donor strategies.
• A track record of successfully managing special events that engage a wide range of audiences.
• Exceptional organizational and time management abilities, with keen attention to detail and accuracy, and the capacity to effectively prioritize tasks, responsibilities, and deadlines.
• Strong focus on implementation and follow-through, combined with a solid understanding of logistical planning.
• High proficiency in G Suite, Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, nonprofit CRMs like EveryAction and Hubspot, prospect research tools, and online research platforms.
• Skilled in organizing donor and financial data, as well as creating calendars and reports.
• Excellent research, writing, editing, and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• A creative, adaptable mindset with a good sense of humor, and a willingness to contribute to departmental and organizational initiatives and events as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and expand WSFF’s individual giving program, focusing on cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention.
• Lead and manage all major donor solicitations, ensuring personalized and impactful engagement.
• Revitalize and oversee the festival membership program, driving recruitment, retention, and the enhancement of member benefits.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift donors through tailored outreach, stewardship efforts, and exclusive cultivation events.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors, providing exceptional stewardship and fostering long-term, meaningful relationships.
• Collaborate with the Festival Director, Development team, and Board members, to create and implement donor cultivation and stewardship strategies in line with the organization’s overall fundraising plan.
• Strengthen Wild & Scenic’s existing foundation relationships through cultivation and stewardship activities.
• Conduct in-depth research on potential funders to identify the best fit for WSFF’s mission and programs.
• Prospect for and submit grants and appeal to foundations to support the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, On Tour, and additional annual events.
• Work with Festival Director, On Tour Manager, and Development Director to renew existing and secure new National Partner sponsorships plus secure additional sponsorship for the home festival, totaling in excess of $250,000.
• Collaborate with Festival Director and Development team to manage and steward WSFF sponsorships, especially upper tiers, including management of On Tour swag, flagship festival activations, etc.
• Increase individual donor revenue by $100,000 above current base line, with a 10% annual growth target in subsequent years.
• Improve donor retention by at least 5% annually.
• Provide high-level development support to the Board of Directors, Development Committee, and Advisory Council.
• Educate Board and Advisory Council members on fundraising best practices and their role in donor cultivation.
• Facilitate discussions on fundraising priorities and strategies.
• Ensure systems and processes drive fundraising and board engagement.
• Prepare materials for Board and Committee meetings, including reports and presentations.

Benefits

• Hourly pay rate range of $34 - $37 per hour, negotiable based on experience.
• Starting paid vacation of 14 days per year earned on an accrual basis.
• 10 paid holidays.
• 5 paid sick days.
• 100% employer paid health/dental/vision insurance.
• 2% 401(k) retirement match (fully vested after 3 years).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees