Fundraising Manager - Carry Forward

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Fundraising Events Manager is responsible for driving revenue growth by leading and managing the Carry Forward 5K team. This is accomplished by implementing best practices and strategies to build strong relationships with event hosts, segment/channel leads, sponsors, and donors. The position provides expertise and technical leadership and support to the fundraising team to maximize the return on investment for WWP. The manager will advise the director of fundraising events on development goals for long term strategy that supports the strategic plan and annual operating plan for program growth.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive the growth of gross and net revenues for the signature Carry Forward 5K city series, virtual and corporate team programs.

• Drive increased participation, retention, and fundraising across the city series as well as the host your own events and corporate Carry Forward events.

• Provide leadership and management to the Carry Forward team members including identifying, developing, managing, and coaching a highly functional team and ensuring high performance.

• Effectively articulate, verbally and in writing, WWP’s history, mission, vision, and programs to potential funding sources (e.g., event hosts, sponsors, companies, organizations, and the public).

• Represent WWP and speak with community stakeholders/audiences, organizations, corporations, sponsors, and donors. Travel to events as needed.

• Ensure event/program portfolios are properly balanced among team members for effective coaching, support, and evaluation of events and portfolio and for each to reach fundraising potential.

• Manage the tracking of systems, communications, resources, and tools to optimize relationship based fundraising strategies.

• Establish effective working relationships and work collaboratively with WWP teammates and interdependencies across the organization, e.g., Marketing, Communications, Donor Experience, Programs, Legal, as well as other Resource Development teams, working cross channels to support existing channels and launch new ones as directed.

• Continually evaluate the Carry Forward 5K program to identify continuous improvement opportunities and efficiencies to save donor dollars.

• Stay apprised of the fundraising landscape and make recommendations relating to current and new Carry Forward 5K events/channels.

• Provide monthly and quarterly revenue projections and forecasting, and other reporting as requested.

• Identify and manage trends in current portfolio and segments utilizing WWP database, systems, forecasting for ROI reporting and strategic planning.

• Regularly communicate status of the team, projects, reporting, trend analysis and observations to director of fundraising events.

• Travel to events as needed – city, host your own or corporate.

• Other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Extensive peer-to-peer fundraising experience including special event execution and management, sponsorship solicitation, participant and donor recruitment, vendor negotiations, and industry best practices.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to monitor, compile, and analyze data to guide decision making.

• Strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional relationships and build successful and effective relationships.

• Demonstrated ability to motivate, coach and educate the Carry Forward 5K team.

• Ability to communicate technical information and requirements externally, and to teammates and leadership.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively delegate, monitor workload and analyze work processes and metrics.

• Strong organizational and time management skills. Demonstrated ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities and meet deadlines. Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritize, delegate, and ensure that deadlines are met.

• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and tact.

• Demonstrated understanding of Wounded Warrior Project and its mission, values, programs, and services, and the impact of these programs and services on wounded warriors and their families.

• Demonstrated understanding of military service organizations (MSOs) and veteran service organizations (VSOs).

• High energy level. Self-starter; willing to take initiative.

• Demonstrated computer proficiency using Microsoft Office, e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint

• Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct.

• Mission-driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.

EXPERIENCE

Requirements

• Five years of fundraising or sales experience.

• Three years of team management.

• Three years experience working in a fundraising platform and/or similar platform.

 Preferences

• Five years of experience working in a non-profit organization.

• Two years experience leading remote, geographically dispersed teams.

• Five years of demonstrated achievement identifying, soliciting, and cultivating event participants, teams, sponsors, donors, and volunteer committees.

EDUCATION

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree. Equivalent combination of education, experience, training, or certification may be considered in lieu of degree.

 Preferences

• None

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE

Requirements

• None.

Preferences

• None.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• General office environment; temperature controlled.

• May require participation in events under varying weather conditions.

• Up to 30% travel.

• May require lifting/carrying items up to 5 pounds.