Development Manager

Development Manager

Denver, CO

Playworks Colorado is seeking a Development Manager who reports directly to and works in close partnership with the Executive Director to execute the organization's fund development strategy. The Executive Director sets strategic direction, priorities, and key relationships, and this role is responsible for driving execution, coordination, and follow-through across all development efforts.

This role oversees development operations, stewardship coordination, event execution, Salesforce management, and day-to-day relationship support, while managing defined fundraising goals tied to events, sponsorships, and partner renewals. The role also supports individual giving efforts as part of the broader fundraising mix, in alignment with Colorado priorities.

The Development Manager is a highly collaborative, detail-oriented role focused on strong execution, follow-through, and coordination in support of organizational strategy, narrative, and relationships. While this role collaborates closely with the Playworks HQ Development team through shared planning and aligned initiatives, all Coloradoal work is directed by and accountable to the Executive Director.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Fund Development & Stewardship - 30%

• Manage a defined portfolio of corporate, foundation, and individual partners, in alignment with Executive Director priorities, with a focus on renewals, stewardship, and growth; be accountable for fundraising goals tied to events, sponsorships, and partner renewals.
• Steward and upgrade corporate grants, sponsorships and engagement opportunities across Playworks Colorado initiatives, leading early cultivation and advancement of next steps.
• Cultivate and close Colorado new corporate sponsorships for Colorado events as required.
• Support relationship-building with foundation partners through ongoing engagement and positioning for future funding opportunities.
• Coordinate Colorado efforts and relationships with HQ Development Team.
• Own grants coordination and proposal support, including maintaining the grants calendar, grant-writing, coordinating submissions and reporting, and ensuring alignment with organizational voice.

Events & Partner Engagement - 35%

• Plan and execute core fundraising and engagement events, including logistics, vendors, sponsorship fulfillment, volunteer coordination, and partner engagement activities.
• Manage event budgets in partnership with the Executive Director, ensuring expenses are tracked and events remain within approved budgets.
• Oversee event-related communications and follow-up, including materials, run-of-show development, and post-event stewardship.

Young Professional Board Management - 15%

• Independently manage the Young Professional (YP) Board, responsible for recruitment and retention, setting and hosting monthly meetings.
• Set and meet annual goals with the YP board which could include annual events.

Development Operations & Database - 10%

• Own Salesforce and development systems, ensuring accurate data, effective workflows, reliable reporting, and coordination with HQ Development Operations.
• Track grants, deliverables, and reporting requirements, coordinating internal timelines and follow-through.
• Prepare development reports and maintain fundraising calendars, deadlines, and follow-through for Colorado leadership and HQ.

Visibility, Communications & Reporting Support - 10%

• Manage development-related communications, including social media posts, partner acknowledgments, event highlights, and newsletter content.
• Coordinate with marketing, digital, and program teams to develop content and assets that support fundraising, stewardship, and partner engagement.
• Oversee preparation of development-related reports and materials, including grant reports, partner reports, the annual report, and development-focused newsletters.

Responsibilities may evolve over time based on organizational needs and priorities.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience in development, fundraising operations, account management, or related nonprofit roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing donor relationships, events, and revenue goals.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple timelines and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM systems; comfort with data, reporting, and systems.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills; ability to edit and tailor content to organizational voice.
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort representing the organization in meetings, events, and site visits.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a highly engaged, fast-moving environment.
• Responds to challenges with resourcefulness, positivity, and a commitment to finding solutions.
• Demonstrates a willingness to pitch in wherever needed and embraces shared responsibility for team success.
• Takes initiative and proactively looks for ways to help, rather than waiting to be asked.
• Knowledge of local business, civic, or philanthropic communities preferred.
• Willingness to attend occasional evening or weekend events and travel locally as needed.

Compensation & Benefits:

Playworks offers the full package - great benefits, a fun place to work and an opportunity to grow professionally.

• This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position based in Colorado and reporting to the Executive Director
• At Playworks, our starting salary takes into consideration internal pay scales, geographic pay differential, and robust external market data. We highly value transparency in compensation and are therefore committed to adhering to established compensation pay points. The starting salary for this position is $70,600.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) plans with employer match of up to 3% of salary, life insurance, employee-funded pre-tax health, and child care spending accounts.
• Generous Flex PTO policy, paid sick and holiday leave

This is a hands-on, creative, playful, and fun-loving place to work, all while contributing to the success of our nation's youth. So if you're ready to immerse yourself in the education sector, working on a rewarding set of challenges, and if you've got the skills, experience, passion, and a team spirit, apply!

Please include:

• A cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role.
• Resume.
• References will be requested.

About Playworks: At Playworks, we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We create a place for every kid on the playground to get active, build valuable skills, connect, and have fun. We partner with schools, districts, and after-school programs to provide a service or mix of services, including on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support recess, and consultative partnerships.

As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks