Job Description

Job Title: Development Manager  

Department:  Development and External Affairs 

Job Type:  Full-time (35 hours per week); Exempt 

Reports To:  Assistant Executive Director for Development and External Affairs 

Location:  Hybrid (with on-site hours in the Northeast Bronx) 

Duration:  Permanent 

Compensation:  $65,000-$70,000/yr 

Direct Reports:  Intern (when applicable) and collaborates with consultants. 

About Mind-Builders  

Located in the northeast Bronx, Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center provides music, dance, theater, and martial arts and fitness classes for close to 700 students each year. Group and private arts lessons provide study in modern/jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, and West African dance, piano/keyboard, guitar, bass, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and violin. Mind-Builders offers free programs for teens and young adults through the Positive Youth Troupe theater program and the Community Folk Culture internship program. The mission of Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center is to inspire the growth of youth, families and the community through arts and education programs while nurturing self-esteem, building character, and cultivating an appreciation of the diverse cultures within our community. 

For more information and to read about our history, visit:  

Position Summary  

Reporting to the Assistant Executive Director (AED) for Development & External Affairs, the Development Manager serves as the tactical engine of the fundraising department. As Mind-Builders approaches its 50th Anniversary in 2028, this position provides the essential infrastructure to sustain and grow the organization's revenue. 

This role functions as a strategic partner in operations working closely with the Marketing & Communications Manager and the grant writing team to prioritize fundraising activities. They are the primary guardian of data integrity across CRM systems (Salesforce and Bloomerang) and the project manager for all departmental deadlines via Asana. The ideal candidate is a process-oriented systems thinker who can also draft compelling grant reports and narratives. 

Essential Duties & Key Responsibilities:  

Fundraising Operations & Workflow Management (40% of time) 

• System Administration: Serve as the lead administrator for the department’s CRM platforms (Salesforce and Bloomerang). Ensure the hygiene and accuracy of all donor records, gift entries, and relationship tracking to support the upcoming 50 th anniversary campaign. 
• Asana Management: Own the department’s master calendar. Create, assign, and monitor tasks in Asana to ensure the internal team and external consultants meet all deadlines for grants, reports, and appeals without exception. 
• Gift Processing: Oversee the full lifecycle of donation processing, from data entry to the generation of tax-compliant acknowledgement letters within 48 hours of receipt. 
• Reconciliation: Collaborate with the Finance Department to perform monthly reconciliations of contributed income, ensuring alignment between development records and the general ledger. 

Institutional Giving & Grant Compliance (35% of time) 

• Grant Reporting: Lead the data collection and narrative drafting process for all government and foundation grant reports. Work with Program Directors to harvest quantitative metrics (attendance, demographics) and qualitative success stories. 
• Proposal Development: Draft narratives and budgets for renewal grants and lower-threshold funding opportunities. Prepare all necessary support materials (board lists, financial statements, work samples) for complex proposals led by the Grant Consultant. 
• Pipeline Management: Research and track new funding opportunities, maintaining a rigorous pipeline of deadlines in Asana to ensure no opportunity is missed. 

Data Strategy & Analysis (15% of time) 

• Metrics & Analysis: Synthesize program data into impact reports for the Lobbyist and AED to use in advocacy efforts. Analyze donor data to identify trends in retention and giving levels, making recommendations for upgrade strategies. 
• Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate and improve departmental workflows to maximize efficiency and reduce administrative bottlenecks. 

External Affairs & Event Support (10% of time) 

• Campaign Collaboration: Partner with the Marketing & Communications Manager to execute the annual appeal and other digital fundraising campaigns, ensuring seamless integration between email marketing and the donor database. 
• Event Logistics: Provide robust logistical support for fundraising events and site visits, managing guest lists, RSVPs, and on-site registration. 

Qualifications:  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty/key responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and/or competency required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Education/Experience :  

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. 
• 3-5 years of experience in development operations, grant management, or a related field in the nonprofit sector. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) 
• Proficient with CRM tools, fundraising platforms and donor databases (Bloomerang, Salesforce) 
• Prior experience in an arts or community-based organization is a plus. 

Work Environment:  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

• Hybrid work environment (Office/Remote). 
• Fast-paced, deadline-driven atmosphere. 
• Collaborative, open-plan office setting when on-site. 

Physical Demands:  

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds (event materials). 
• Extended periods of sitting and computer use. 
• No special vision requirements beyond standard screen usage. 

Core Competencies:  

The purpose of competencies in a job description is to clearly define the skills, abilities, and behaviors required to fulfill the responsibilities and to be successful in the role. There are essential competencies for this position that align to the organization’s mission and vision, and to the responsibilities in this job description. The competencies for this position are also assessed in the application process and the performance review process. 

• Project Management 
• Problem solving 
• Communication (Written & Verbal) 
• Client Services 
• Adaptability 

Benefits:  

We offer a full benefits package including medical, dental, and vision plan with a generous employer contribution towards health benefits. Health insurance coverage enrollment is available on the first day of the third month of employment. 

401(k) plan with employer contribution (after one year). 

Paid time off: 10 major holidays and 3 floating holidays, 10 vacation days per year during the first two years of employment with an increase to 15 days after completing two years of employment; 4 personal days; and 6 sick days. 

How to Apply : 

Submit your resume, along with a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are a good match for this position to [email protected]. Please include “Development Manager position” in your email subject line. 

Mind-Builders is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and lifting the leadership of people from communities historically underrepresented. To learn more about Mind-Builders:  .   

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