Development Strategy and Operations Manager

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Living Cities is a collaborative of leading philanthropic foundations, financial institutions, and civic partners who envision and advance inclusive and equitable economic opportunity for all residents in U.S. cities. Through the collective power of philanthropy, financial capital, and local government engagement, we advance inclusive economic opportunity and drive systemic change so all people in urban America can be economically secure, build wealth, and live abundant, dignified, and connected lives.

At the heart of our work is the intentional movement of inclusive capital and the dismantling of barriers that have historically limited access to wealth-building pathways such as homeownership, business ownership, and family financial investment. Our programmatic approach supports catalytic impact investment, city focused community engagement, and applied knowledge. We partner with city governments, community leaders, and industry stakeholders to transform systems, inform narratives, and support strategies that expand economic empowerment for historically underserved communities.

Guided by our core values of collaboration, innovation, leadership, impact, and racial equity and inclusion, our staff, research, investments, and networks fuel collective action toward an equitable and inclusive economy – where opportunity and prosperity are accessible to all.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Living Cities seeks a strategic, highly organized, and execution-focused Development Strategy & Operations Manager to build and manage the systems, strategy, research, materials, and follow-through to grow and sustain fund development.

Reporting to the CEO, this role will directly collaborate with the Chief Strategy Officer and the Grants & Contracts Manager. The role will equip and enable the CEO, CSO, board members, and other senior leaders to cultivate, steward, and close commitments from private foundations, financial institution funders, corporate partners, foundations, and other impact investors. The Manager will be the principal operator of our development engine, which includes: pipeline strategy, moves management, prospect research, proposal development, CRM discipline, revenue forecasting, dashboards, briefing materials, and cross-functional coordination.

This is an ideal role for someone who understands the strategy and craft of fundraising, takes pride in operational excellence, and is energized by turning conversations into clear next steps, strong materials, disciplined follow-through, and funded commitments.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS

Development Strategy and Pipeline Management

• In collaboration with the CEO and the CSO, design and manage a multi-year development strategy aligned with Living Cities’ mission, strategic priorities, and growth goals.
• Research, build and maintain a disciplined pipeline of members, institutional funders, corporate partners, foundations, donor-advised funds, family foundations, government opportunities, and other philanthropic prospects.
• Own moves management across the development pipeline, ensuring every relationship has a clear owner, next action, timeline, and follow-up plan that is executed.
• Support revenue forecasting, fundraising targets, pipeline reporting, dashboards, and regular KPI updates for the CEO, CSO, and senior leadership.
• Organize and collaborate with internal teams to respond to strategic funding and membership opportunities.

CEO/CSO Enablement and Relationship Conversion

• As a member of the Office of the CEO the Manager will work with the CSO and other senior leaders to move funder and member conversations toward clear next steps and commitments.
• Design and execute follow-up processes to support fund development activities for senior leaders including meeting notes, next actions, briefing materials, correspondence, and tracking of commitments.
• Prepare the CEO, CSO, board members, and senior leaders for funder and member engagement through research, talking points, cultivation plans, and strategic guidance.
• Join external meetings when helpful to move strategy, follow-up, or operational execution forward.
• Support board fundraising engagement by preparing materials and tracking follow-through.

Prospect Research, Proposals, and Funder Materials

• Conduct prospect, funder, and member research to identify alignment with Living Cities’ mission, programs, investment priorities, and strategic goals.
• Prepare proposals, concept notes, briefing memos, talking points, cultivation plans, stewardship materials, and follow-up correspondence that are sharp, clear, and ready to use.
• Translate Living Cities’ work in inclusive economic development, community development finance, economic mobility, systems change, and racial wealth gap closure into compelling funder-facing materials.
• Support the development of fundable narratives for Living Cities’ portfolio, regional and national initiatives, advocacy, communications, and strategic priorities.

Development Operations, CRM, and Data Discipline

• Build and maintain the systems behind the development function, including CRM use, pipeline tracking, data standards, reporting cadence, and moves management documentation.
• Ensure accurate and timely funder and member records, meeting notes, next steps, follow-up actions, and stewardship activity in the CRM.
• Create and maintain dashboards, KPI reports, forecasts, and fundraising analytics that support decision-making and accountability.
• Conduct regular data integrity reviews and identify opportunities to strengthen operational efficiency.
• Coordinate through the Office of the CEO to ensure donor briefings, meeting notes, and follow-up actions are completed and captured consistently.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate across programs, communications, finance, the Office of the CEO, and senior leadership to gather information needed for proposals, funder briefings, reports, and stewardship.
• Ensure development activities are aligned with organizational priorities, programmatic strategy, communications, and financial planning.
• Support Living Cities as a knowledge resource in inclusive and equitable community development, economic mobility, systems change, impact investment, and racial equity.
• Contribute to a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and measurable outcomes across the organization.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is intended to outline the primary duties and responsibilities of the role and is not an exhaustive list of all tasks or expectations. Duties and responsibilities may evolve or change at any time based on organizational needs, with or without notice.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Seven or more years of development, institutional advancement, fundraising strategy, development operations, or related nonprofit revenue experience.
• Deep experience with moves management, prospect strategy, proposal development, and development operations.
• A track record of helping organizations close significant, multi-year philanthropic, corporate, foundation, institutional, or member commitments in close partnership with senior leaders.
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce proposals, briefings, talking points, and follow-up materials that are sharp, clear, and ready to use.
• Strong research skills and the judgment to turn information into a clear strategy for advancing a relationship.
• Exceptional organization and follow-through, with the ability to hold many relationships, details, and deadlines at once without losing the thread.
• Experience with CRM and donor management systems, such as Salesforce or comparable platforms.
• Comfort working with CEOs, senior leaders, boards, executive offices, and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equitable outcomes and integrating community voice into strategy and execution.
• Experience in national nonprofits, intermediaries, membership collaboratives, philanthropic institutions, corporate philanthropy, or financial institutions.
• Familiarity with foundation, corporate, institutional, government, donor-advised fund, and member-funded or collaborative models.
• Knowledge of community development, inclusive economic growth, impact investing, policy innovation, or racial equity work.
• Experience standing up, redesigning, or strengthening development systems and operations.
• Salesforce experience preferred, along with strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and business office AI platforms.
• An understanding of, and commitment to, Living Cities’ mission to close racial wealth gaps and build inclusive local economies.

INCLUSION AND BELONGING COMPETENCIES

• Foundational knowledge and understanding of inclusion and belonging core concepts.
• Understands why racial equity is an integral part of Living Cities’ approach, inside and outside the organization.
• Record of continuous learning and strategic problem solving.
• Engages with curiosity, humility, equity and power inside and outside of the organization.
• Upholds equity outcomes, goals, and performance measures within teams and on projects.
• Knowledge of philanthropic and nonprofit sectors is a plus.
• Passion for social justice, social equity, and creating systemic change.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This role does not have supervisory responsibilities.

SALARY

Range: NYC: $105,230 to $111,420 / DC: $95,625 to $101,250

The final salary offer will be determined based on a variety of factors, including the candidate’s geographical location qualifications, experience, and expertise. We also consider market benchmarks, when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair and aligned with the organization’s overall structure. We are committed to offering competitive and equitable compensation to attract and retain top talent.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role operates in a professional office environment and is based in Living Cities’ Washington, DC or New York City office. Staff are assigned to a home office location upon hire.

To uphold our core value of collaboration, Living Cities maintains a hybrid work model that requires staff to work in the office a minimum of three days per week, typically Tuesday through Thursday. This schedule may be adjusted at the organization’s discretion based on organizational needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this role.

This position involves computer-based work. The employee must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods and operate standard office equipment. Occasional movement within the office may be required to access files, equipment, or technology. The employee must be able to travel for work. The role also requires the ability to communicate and exchange information effectively, both verbally and in writing.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

TRAVEL

Moderate national travel is required, approximately 30% of the time annually.

Note: This estimate may vary based on organizational needs.

AAP/EEO POLICY STATEMENT

Living Cities is committed to building and sustaining a culturally diverse and inclusive team at all levels of the organization. We are an equal opportunity employer and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

TO APPLY

Send resume and cover letter to jobs@livingcities.org

In anticipation of a large number of responses, only candidates whose qualifications most closely align will be contacted.