Development Manager

Job Title: Development Manager
Reports to: Director of Community Engagement
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Newport News, Virginia (hybrid)
Salary Range: $48,000 annually

To Apply: Submit resume, cover letter, and three professional references to [email protected]. Review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Soundscapes is committed to a diverse work environment. We highly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status, or other statuses protected by law.

Organizational Overview

Soundscapes is a nonprofit youth development organization that uses music education and ensemble performance to inspire and empower students from under-resourced communities. Soundscapes programs help children build life skills through the transformative power of music. Founded in 2009 in Newport News, Soundscapes now serves over 300 students annually, ages 7 to 25. Soundscapes is growing and recently launched a new pilot program in the Greater Richmond area in January.

Position Summary

The Development Manager plays a key role in advancing Soundscapes’ mission by building relationships with donors and expanding the organization’s base of financial support. This is a forward-facing position focused on donor engagement, community outreach, and fundraising strategy.

The Development Manager leads annual giving campaigns, cultivates and stewards relationships with current and prospective donors, and coordinates fundraising events that connect supporters to the impact of Soundscapes’ programs. Working closely with the Director of Community Engagement, this role helps implement strategies that grow individual giving and strengthen long-term donor relationships.

The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, and comfortable interacting with donors and community partners. They are motivated by results and passionate about building lasting support for youth and music education.

Key Responsibilities

Annual Giving & Campaigns 

• Plan, execute, and evaluate all components of annual giving campaigns (example: year-end appeal).
• Develop and manage a solicitation calendar with multi-channel strategy (examples: email, direct mail, text, social media, peer-to-peer).
• Craft compelling donor messaging and coordinate segmented communications to current, lapsed, and prospective donors.
• Collaborate with the Communication & Marketing Manager to design and schedule appeals and other communications.

Donor Acquisition & Retention 

• Implement strategies to acquire new individual donors and convert event attendees, volunteers, and newsletter subscribers into supporters.
• Track donor engagement and giving patterns to inform outreach and stewardship efforts.
• Develop and implement donor recognition and stewardship strategies to increase retention and re-engage lapsed donors.

Fundraising Events 

• Plan and manage logistics for key fundraising events (examples: gala, golf tournament).
• Lead volunteers, vendors, and internal staff to execute successful events.
• Create strategies for maximizing revenue and donor conversion from event participation.
• Assist with securing event sponsorships as needed.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in fundraising, nonprofit development, or a related field
• Proven success in executing donor campaigns and fundraising events
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on persuasive storytelling
• Experience with the Neighborhood Assistance Program and the distribution of state tax credits.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• An understanding of fundraising best practices and a commitment to fundraising ethics
• Passion for arts education and youth development

• Comfort with public speaking and donor interaction

Work Environment & Benefits:

• Flexible work hours with occasional evening/weekend events
• Collaborative, mission-driven team culture
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• Dental and retirement benefits are available