The Development Manager, Grants & Operations (Development Manager) serves as a strategic fundraising and operations partner, leading Studio in a School (Studio)’s institutional giving portfolio while strengthening the systems that support all fundraising activities. The role is responsible for managing government and foundation grants from prospecting through reporting, producing compelling proposals and stewardship communications, maintaining accurate donor and gift records, and delivering timely fundraising analysis. Working collaboratively across departments, the Development Manager helps advance the long-term fundraising strategy.
The Development Manager is a full-time, exempt, non-union position reporting to the Chief Development Officer.
About Studio in a School
Studio in a School fosters the creative and intellectual development of young people through quality visual arts programs, directed by professional Artist Instructors, arts and cultural internships, and apprentice-based learning in the arts. The organization also collaborates with and develops the capacity of classroom teachers, school leadership, and others who provide or support arts programming and creative development for young people both in and outside of schools.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Grants & Institutional Giving
- Manage a portfolio of government, foundation, and corporate funders, developing compelling proposals, applications, reports, and stewardship communications.
- Own the full grant lifecycle, including prospect research, qualification, strategy, writing, internal review, submission, award tracking, compliance, and reporting.
- Maintain an institutional funding calendar and coordinate internal deadlines to ensure accurate, timely submissions and deliverables.
- Collaborate with the CDO on institutional fundraising strategy, annual revenue planning, and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan.
- Support funder cultivation and stewardship through briefings, site visits, meetings, and timely follow-up.
Development Operations
- Manage timely and accurate gift processing, reconciliation, acknowledgment, and documentation in coordination with Finance.
- Maintain Raiser’s Edge records, coding standards, constituent information, actions, and data-quality protocols.
- Produce mailing lists, donor segments, and campaign data; conduct regular database cleanup and quality-control reviews.
- Prepare fundraising dashboards, revenue reports, pipeline analyses, and materials for the CDO, senior leadership, and Board of Directors.
- Maintain development files and documentation to support strong institutional memory, reporting accuracy, and audit readiness.
- Manage fundraising systems, workflows, templates, and procedures to increase efficiency and support evolving revenue goals.
Cross-Departmental & Event Support
- Provide administrative and operational support for fundraising events, including invitations, registrations, donor lists, materials, and follow-up.
- Coordinate event logistics and vendors as needed, working closely with Development colleagues and external partners.
- Serve as a responsive partner to colleagues across Studio, gathering information and translating program impact into effective fundraising materials.
- Contribute to department planning, special initiatives, and other development priorities as assigned.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Desired Skills and Background
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- A minimum of three years of experience in a Development office with a broad understanding of institutional fundraising practices.
- Experience using Raiser’s Edge and Raiser’s Edge NXT; experience with Microsoft Office; strong familiarity with online donation platforms such as Network for Good and e-communication platforms such as Constant Contact.
- Knowledge of any of the following preferred but not required: New York City philanthropic community, government arts agencies, arts education, and the visual arts field.
Personal Qualities and Habits of Work
- Commitment to the mission of Studio in a School.
- Self-motivation, assertiveness, positive demeanor and willingness to work in a collaborative team environment.
- Strong work ethic; highly organized and able to anticipate, plan for, and reach deadlines.
- Willingness to take the initiative and prioritize and manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent writing and editing skills and a high comfort level working with financial data.
- Practiced in handling confidential information and appropriate use of discretion.
Location
We are currently working on a hybrid schedule. The Development Manager will be asked to work 2 days per week in our office at 75 West End Avenue, New York, NY, or in the field, though this schedule may shift and evolve.
Hours
As a member of the administrative staff, the Development Manager is expected to work from 9 AM to 5 PM each workday. Any schedule shift request must be requested in advance and receive approval from the supervisor.
Benefits
Generous paid time off, Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance/Disability Insurance, Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Commuter Benefits, 403b Retirement Plan, Aflac supplemental benefits, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Salary
The salary range is $75,000-$79,000. We welcome an open discussion with interested candidates about the full compensation package.
To Apply
Please click on this link: Apply. Applications will only be accepted with a cover letter. No phone calls, please. Although we appreciate your interest, we will only contact the applicants we are considering for an interview.
If much of this job description describes you, please apply for this role. Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet all the qualifications. We recognize this and encourage those with relevant skills and experience to apply.
Studio in a School is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to hire staff members who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. All positions at Studio in a School are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, employment status, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. All are encouraged to apply.
Studio in a School Association New York, New York, USA Office
New York, NY, United States
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