Senior Manager of Donor Engagement

Senior Manager of Donor Engagement

Greater Chicago Food Depository provided pay range: $85,000.00/yr - $95,000.00/yr. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

The Senior Manager of Donor Engagement is a strategic leader responsible for shaping and advancing the organization’s donor engagement philosophy. This role drives the vision and execution of a comprehensive stewardship and cultivation strategy that deepens donor relationships, enhances donor experience, and strengthens long‑term philanthropic partnerships. Collaborating closely with senior leadership and frontline fundraisers, the Senior Manager ensures that stewardship efforts are aligned with organizational goals and donor expectations, fostering a culture of gratitude, transparency, and impact.

• Lead the strategic direction and evolution of the Donor Engagement function, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and fundraising priorities.
• Serve as a thought partner to the Senior Director and executive leadership, contributing to the development of enterprise‑wide donor engagement strategies.
• Champion a data‑informed approach to donor experience, leveraging insights to refine engagement strategies and enhance donor satisfaction and retention.
• Cultivate a high‑performing team culture by mentoring and developing staff, fostering innovation, and promoting cross‑functional collaboration.
• Represent the Donor Engagement function in planning, budgeting, and organizational decision‑making processes.

• Design and oversee the implementation of a multi‑tiered stewardship framework that delivers personalized, meaningful engagement across donor segments.
• Partner with leadership to craft high‑impact, high‑touch stewardship experiences for top‑tier donors, including customized communications and recognition strategies.
• Lead the integration of stewardship into the organization’s broader donor journey, ensuring seamless collaboration across Development, Marketing, and Community Impact teams.
• Guide the development and use of stewardship tools, content, and platforms to support scalable and consistent donor engagement.
• Oversee the measurement and evaluation of stewardship effectiveness, using KPIs and dashboards to inform continuous improvement.

• Collaborate with the Events team to reimagine donor engagement opportunities, ensuring they reflect strategic priorities and donor interests.
• Lead efforts to modernize donor communications and engagement channels, incorporating digital tools and storytelling to enhance impact.
• Serve as a strategic advisor on donor relations best practices, staying abreast of trends and innovations in philanthropy and donor engagement.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7‑10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with a focus on donor stewardship and engagement in a complex, high‑volume environment.
• Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives, manage cross‑functional teams, and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong writing skills and experience crafting donor reports and correspondence.
• Strong analytical, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience with CRM systems and data analytics tools; familiarity with Stratus Live is a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and community‑centered philanthropy.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Employer‑paid life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Parental leave
• On‑site Gym
• $3,000 annual employer‑paid Thrive Pass lifestyle and wellness benefit program
• $250 employee referral bonus

• Director

• Full‑time

• Business Development and Sales
• Individual and Family Services