Sr Development Manager II

The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Operating with the commitment of more than 1.3 million volunteers and numerous employees, the society’s mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. The organization is rooted in a culture of diversity and inclusion, drawing from backgrounds and experiences as varied as the communities it serves to better address different cancer-related challenges and improve patient outcomes. As a well-established nonprofit, the American Cancer Society leverages advocacy, education, research funding, and fundraising events to support its lifesaving efforts. The society is recognized for its impactful programs, collaborative partnerships, and extensive community outreach which together contribute to reducing cancer mortality and enhancing quality of life for those affected.

The role being offered is a full-time position based in Madison, Wisconsin, with a starting salary range of $75,000 to $80,000 annually. It centers around the strategy, execution, and success of a substantial fundraising portfolio that exceeds $750,000 per year, including managing at least one major event that generates over $500,000. This position is critical for advancing the society’s financial goals and furthering its mission through fostering strong donor relationships and community engagement. Responsibilities include comprehensive oversight of event fundraising activities from sponsorship acquisition and volunteer leadership recruitment to donor stewardship and participant involvement. The role requires collaboration across multiple teams within the society, including corporate and philanthropy units, marketing, and local coordinators to align event initiatives with broader organizational goals.

This fundraising manager will serve as a key relationship builder, cultivating long-term partnerships with donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community leaders, ensuring sustained financial growth and donor loyalty. They will strategically recruit and engage high-level volunteers and executives to champion events and fundraising campaigns, while maintaining a sharp focus on delivering an exceptional event experience. This involves managing event logistics, branding, budgets, and vendor partnerships to maximize revenue and optimize returns on investment. The position also demands vigilant monitoring of fundraising progress against budgetary benchmarks, allowing for proactive adjustments to surpass ambitious financial targets.

Applicants for this role must demonstrate a proven track record in fund development, corporate and volunteer engagement, and relationship management. The ability to lead high-performing teams effectively and coordinate multiple stakeholders to execute event deliverables is essential. Moreover, this candidate should excel in managing multiple priorities and timelines while adapting to changing circumstances and mitigating potential risks. Strong skills in customer service, persuasion, and influence are vital, as is the capacity to recruit and inspire executive and C-suite level leadership volunteers. The ideal candidate will also possess deep knowledge of the market and community dynamics relevant to the fundraising landscape.

The American Cancer Society offers its staff a generous paid time off policy, comprehensive medical and dental benefits, retirement plans, wellness initiatives, and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and ensure staff well-being. This employer is committed to equal employment opportunity principles, fostering a workplace that respects and supports diversity and inclusion. Candidates can expect some travel for meetings, training, and events, an average of three days per week in an external market-facing capacity, and must be available to attend evening and weekend functions vital to the society’s fundraising efforts. Some physical lifting related to event setup is also required.