Annual Giving and Donor Stewardship Manager

Western Reserve Land Conservancy has an immediate opening for an Annual Giving and Donor Stewardship Manager. The position reports to the Director of Development and will be located at Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s Conservation Center in Moreland Hills, Ohio. This is a full‑time position with a salary range of $55,000 to $65,000 annually, commensurate with experience, and the position is eligible for benefits.

BACKGROUND

Western Reserve Land Conservancy is transforming communities across Ohio by protecting the land and water that sustains us and reimagining the places where we live. Headquartered in Moreland Hills, we are the largest land conservancy in the state and a nationally accredited nonprofit through the Land Trust Alliance. Our work spans the state of Ohio—from the Lake Erie shoreline, to working farms and forests, and into the heart of our cities. Through partnerships statewide, we have permanently protected more than 80,000 acres across 1,000 properties, including the creation of 250 public parks and preserves. We collaborate with private landowners, farmers, public agencies, corporations, and community partners to conserve natural landscapes, prime soils, and bring nature back into neighborhoods. Our nationally recognized Urban Conservation program is at the forefront of urban revitalization—turning vacant and blighted properties into vibrant green spaces, advancing innovative land reuse strategies, planting trees, and creating healthier, more resilient communities. None of this is possible without the commitment and dedication of our talented staff. We are very proud that since 2021 we have been recognized 5 times as a Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio by The Plain Dealer/cleveland.com.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Chief Development Officer and the Director Development, the Annual Giving and Donor Stewardship Manager will manage and grow Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s annual giving and stewardship programs. The AGSM will be responsible for developing multi‑channel campaigns that drive philanthropic revenue, identifying, engaging, soliciting, and stewarding annual giving donors and prospects, and tracking results of solicitations to measure progress toward organizational goals.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Design, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive, multi‑channel annual giving program that drives donor acquisition, retention, and revenue growth. Develop and pilot a membership model for targeted constituency groups, evaluating performance and scalability. Lead donor acquisition strategies to expand the Land Conservancy’s base of annual supporters. Create and execute a robust donor stewardship program, with a focus on converting event participants into recurring annual donors. Manage a portfolio of annual giving prospects and donors, with defined performance metrics and annual revenue goals. Collaborate cross‑functionally with Development Operations, Office Services, and Communications & Marketing to plan and execute integrated campaigns, including direct mail, digital appeals, and targeted outreach. Produce compelling, mission‑driven content for solicitation and stewardship, including appeal letters, acknowledgments, digital communications, proposals, and marketing materials. Track, analyze, and report on campaign performance, donor trends, and program outcomes to inform strategy and support decision‑making by the CDO and Director of Development. Partner with program and organizational leadership to develop and implement fundraising strategies for specific conservation and urban revitalization initiatives. Support the development and management of the annual giving budget in collaboration with the CDO. Ensure accurate donor data management and segmentation, and drive personalized, timely donor communications in coordination with the broader development team. Strengthen volunteer engagement by collaborating with internal program teams to expand opportunities, enhance experiences, and track participation and impact. Provide support for fundraising and engagement events, including occasional evening and weekend responsibilities. Serve as an ambassador for Western Reserve Land Conservancy, representing the organization at community and donor‑facing events. Perform additional duties as assigned by the Chief Development Officer and senior development leadership.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITIES

At least 3 years of experience in development/fundraising. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college is preferred. Must be able to convey a strong passion for the Land Conservancy’s mission and knowledge of its strategies and activities to build engagement and support. Highly energetic professional with a track record of building strong relationships and securing gifts. Exceptional interpersonal skills, an ability to work independently, to be collegial, flexible, and creative, and to work in a fast‑paced environment. Strong writing and communications skills. Must be willing to travel throughout the region. Database experience, preferably Salesforce. Western Reserve Land Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to hiring staff members who represent the rich diversity of our community. At the Land Conservancy, all employees and applicants for employment are judged on their merits. The Land Conservancy is committed to providing an environment free of illegal discrimination of any kind, and does not base any employment decisions on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, religion, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other protected category under federal and state laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr Western Reserve Land Conservancy