Senior Manager, Development

About Fair Trade USA          

At Fair Trade USA, we’re leading the charge toward sustainable development and conscious capitalism by forming fair and honest partnerships across the globe. We believe in community, we’re excited about change, and we hire driven, talented change makers who share our vision.

Founded in 1998, we are the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in North America. Our unique market-based model for sustainability links millions of farms and factories around the world to over 1,500 leading brands and retailers through more transparent, equitable trading partnerships. Impact is our North Star: to date, we have channeled over $1 billion in additional income to hardworking families and communities around the world.

Fair Trade has emerged as one of the most promising models of conscious capitalism today. We are recognized for improving the working conditions and living standards of farmers and workers while protecting the environment. At the same time, we strengthen global supply chains and enable sustainability to drive profitability for the business community. For the end consumer, Fair Trade is an easy way to align our values with our purchasing decisions, voting with our dollars for a better world.

Our model has incredible leverage: for every $1 that we invest in building the Fair Trade market and movement, we are creating $4 in increased income for farmers and workers. Because of this unprecedented 4x1 “social return on investment” and community impact, we are a four-time winner of Fast Company’s "Social Capitalist of the Year" award and have been recognized as a leading social venture by the Skoll Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative, Ashoka, and the World Economic Forum.

The Role

Fair Trade USA is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Development Manager to play a pivotal role in elevating our development program. This position will drive strategy across development writing, grant writing, and the cultivation of new funding partnerships. The Senior Development Manager will be instrumental in shaping and executing our fundraising strategy, ensuring alignment with Fair Trade USA’s mission to innovate and advance sustainable, equitable development. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the growth trajectory of a globally recognized organization dedicated to transforming trade and improving lives. 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Grant Writing and Management: 

• Develop and execute a strategic plan for grant acquisition, targeting high-impact funding opportunities that align with Fair Trade USA’s priorities. 

• Lead the full lifecycle of grant proposals, from identification and cultivation of prospects to submission and reporting, ensuring a strategic approach to funder engagement. 

• Collaborate with program teams to gather insights and data, translating complex programmatic work into compelling, strategic narratives for grant proposals. 

Development Writing Strategy: 

• Craft and oversee the creation of development materials, including donor communications, impact reports, and strategic case statements that resonate with key stakeholders. 

• Develop a strategic approach to storytelling, ensuring consistency and alignment with Fair Trade USA’s brand, mission, and vision. 

• Work with the communications team to integrate development messaging into broader organizational communications, amplifying our impact and reach. 

Prospecting, Cultivation, and Strategic Partnerships: 

• Lead strategic prospecting initiatives, identifying and prioritizing new individual and foundation donors whose values and goals align with Fair Trade USA. 

• Drive strategy for donor cultivation and stewardship, creating tailored engagement plans for high-priority prospects and partners. 

• Develop and implement strategies for deepening relationships with existing donors, enhancing their long-term commitment to Fair Trade USA. 

Data-Driven Strategy and Reporting: 

• Use data and analytics to inform strategic decisions, track progress against fundraising goals, and adjust strategies as needed to optimize outcomes. 

• Maintain robust records of donor interactions, funding prospects, and grant activities in the CRM system, ensuring data integrity and accessibility. 

• Provide strategic insights and reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, contributing to the overall development strategy and organizational planning. 

Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration: 

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Head of Philanthropy, contributing to the development of long-term fundraising strategies and goals. 

• Collaborate with program teams, leadership, and other departments to align development efforts with organizational objectives and maximize funding opportunities. 

• Mentor and support junior development staff, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and strategic thinking within the team. 

Key Qualifications 

 Required Skills, Experience, & Knowledge 

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit development, with a strong emphasis on strategic grant writing and development strategy. 

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with donors and partners, with a proven track record of managing long-term partnerships and fostering donor loyalty. 

• Proven success in securing significant funding from foundations and/or individual donors through strategic engagement and proposal development. 

• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts in a clear and compelling manner. 

• Strategic thinker with strong research skills, attention to detail, and the ability to synthesize information into actionable insights. 

• Experience using CRM systems and fundraising databases (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge) for data-driven decision-making. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, manage multiple priorities, and work effectively both independently and as part of a team. 

• Subject matter expertise in Fair Trade, sustainable development, or related fields, or experience in international development work is a strong bonus. 

• Passion for Fair Trade USA’s mission and a deep commitment to advancing sustainable, equitable development. 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as communications, nonprofit management, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.

Our Workplace

At Fair Trade USA, we are a mission-driven organization and are deeply committed to fostering an environment that is built on the principles of JEDI; a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive community for all. We are committed to upholding an inclusive workplace where all people feel equally respected and valued, and where we can all thrive. We are a proud equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from every educational background, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, national origin and ancestry, veteran status, marital or family status, and disability.

We believe in empowering our teams to choose to do their best work and grow at Fair Trade USA. We offer a comprehensive compensation approach including salary, performance-based bonuses, and employee recognition awards, and a generous and thoughtful approach to employee benefits which include:

• Fully Remote & Flexible Workplace with monthly Final Friday half days
• Incentive compensation and Bonus awards
• Generous Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Up to 5% Employer 401k Match
• Excellent PTO including 12+ Holidays / 15+ Vacations / 9 Sick Leave days annually
• Annual Winter Break Week with Office Closure from 25th December through New Year
• Six Weeks Sabbatical Leave after 7 years’ service
• Parental Leave and Caregiver Programs
• Mental Health and Wellbeing programs
• Employee Recognition Awards
• Employee Perks and Discount programs with Fair Trade Certified partners