Position: Development Manager

Reports to: Interim Executive Director/VP Of Engagement

Start Date: June 1, 2026

Salary: $60,000-$70,000

Position Overview: 

Adventure Cycling seeks an entrepreneurial, relationship-driven Development Manager to assist in growing the organization’s fundraising and membership programs. This is a highly autonomous role for someone who is equally comfortable writing a compelling donor appeal, managing database tasks, and cultivating major gift relationships. 

Reporting directly to the Interim Executive Director/VP of Engagement and working closely with the marketing team for content and communications support, the Development Manager will be responsible for executing a comprehensive annual giving program, membership conversion, managing corporate sponsors, and supporting major gift fundraising efforts. 

This is a role for a self-starter who thrives without a large team around them, brings strong writing and communication skills, and understands how data-informed donor engagement drives sustainable revenue.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities: Fundraising & Membership Campaign Management (35%) 

• Assist in planning, execution, and evaluation of annual giving campaigns across direct mail, email, digital, and in-person channels
• Manage membership acquisition, renewal, conversion, and lapsed member reactivation campaigns and systems
• Manage corporate sponsor prospecting and renewal, including outreach, tracking, and stewardship
• Solicit financial gifts from members and sponsors via email and phone
• Track campaign progress and prepare regular performance reports for the leadership and board of directors
• Assist with all gift processing, acknowledgment, and stewardship tasks related to incoming contributions
• Monitor and respond to donor and member inquiries promptly and professionally

Major Gifts & Moves Management Support (25%) 

• Manage all donor and prospective donor cultivation activities including identification, research, direct stewardship and advancement with special focus on gifts of $5,000+
• Support the preparation of major gift solicitation materials, proposals, and follow-up correspondence
• Work collaboratively and effectively with other staff and board members and other volunteers to cultivate, solicit and steward donors
• Coordinate donor engagement opportunities including events, site visits, and 1:1 stewardship activities 

 Content & Communications (20%)

• Working in close partnership with the marketing team, develop messaging and written content for email, direct mail, and digital channels for fundraising appeals, membership conversion, and member/donor stewardship activities
• Manage Microsoft Marketing systems to effectively build, schedule, execute and track fundraising and membership bulk emails and campaign journeys
• Learn Adventure Cycling initiative and program details to effectively communicate their value and ensure consistency of voice and messaging across communications

 Database & Donor Operations (20%)

• Own donor database processes including marketing list creation, segmentation, data hygiene, and reporting
• Maintain donor records in CRM, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and confidentiality
• Maintain data-driven systems for tracking donor engagement, campaign performance, and pipeline activity
• Develop and implement donor segmentation strategies to optimize outreach and conversion across giving levels
• Support gift processing, rejected gift follow-up, and reconciliation in collaboration with finance

Qualifications & Skills: REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years of experience in fundraising, development, membership, communications, or a related field
• Strong communication skills (written and oral). Able to craft and relay compelling, audience-appropriate content and solicitations for donors, members, and prospects
• Experience with donor or CRM database systems; comfort with segmentation, list management, and reporting
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines simultaneously with strong attention to detail
• Self-directed and entrepreneurial. Able to build and run programs independently with limited support
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort engaging with donors, board members, and external partners

 DESIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar CRM platforms
• Familiarity with major gift and planned giving fundraising practices
• Experience with email marketing platforms and digital fundraising tools
• Knowledge of nonprofit membership models and membership conversion strategies
• Exceptional project management skills
• Experience in the outdoor, cycling, or conservation sector
• Bicycling and bicycle touring experience
• Comfort working with and presenting data to senior leadership

About Adventure Cycling: 

As the largest nonprofit cycling organization in the country, Adventure Cycling has an impactful voice in policies and programs that advance the safety and accessibility of cycling. Adventure Cycling serves through its members and the bike travel community. Our cycling community encourages and supports countless cyclists each year as they explore the beauty and history of America while tending to their mental and physical well-being. For half a century, Adventure Cycling has created life-changing experiences that deepen appreciation for our country’s diverse cultures, communities, landscapes, and people. Adventure Cycling headquarters are based in Missoula, MT, and we acknowledge and honor the Indigenous peoples who consider this land their home. The area’s natural abundance was stewarded by many peoples including the Blackfeet, Crow, Shoshone, Cheyenne, Kootenai, Pend d’Oreilles and Salish for millennia before colonization, and continues to be to this day.

Physical Requirements: 

Elements of job duties may require occasional moving of up to 15 pounds and the ability to occasionally stoop, kneel or crouch; candidates not able to meet such demands can possibly work with staff or others to accommodate.

Compensation, Schedule and Benefits: 

This is a full-time, exempt position (average 40 hrs/week). Schedule varies by supervisor, but is generally M-F, 8am-5pm MST. We are located at Adventure Cycling’s headquarters in beautiful and bike-friendly Missoula, Montana, but will consider a remote work location. Benefits include paid time off, holidays, an additional fully paid one-week bike vacation (a.k.a. “bike respite”), medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and retirement plan. We have a wonderful office in downtown Missoula, with plenty of bike racks! Adventure Cycling Association is an equal opportunity employer.