Title: Donor Engagement Manager
Reports to: Chief Development Officer
Location: Sarasota, FL (Hybrid)
Salary: $75,000-$85,000
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation
Join our growing Foundation team of dynamic professionals to create a legacy project for Southwest Florida – a world class performing arts center that you will be a part of. Roll up your sleeves and step into our fast-paced entrepreneurial organization to help us achieve something truly iconic. The mission of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation (“The Foundation”) is to create a world-class performing arts center, that enriches the community, supports arts education, and inspires young minds.
The Foundation is partnering with the City of Sarasota, other regional municipalities, private philanthropists and foundations to build and operate what will be the performing arts centerpiece of Sarasota and the entire Gulf Coast region. The new performing arts center will be a public-private-partnership in which the City of Sarasota and the Foundation will be the principal participants. Completing the project – construction, operations and programming – will require funding of more than $275 million, of which 50% is anticipated to be raised from philanthropic sources.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing team during the start-up phase of an enormous project that will become an important cultural resource and legacy for Southwest Florida.
Job Overview and Position Objectives:
The Donor Engagement Manager is a key member of the development team responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive, year-round donor engagement and stewardship program designed to enhance donor satisfaction, increase donor retention and acquisition, and strengthen the long-term base of philanthropic support for the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation. This individual will lead efforts to acknowledge, engage, and celebrate donors at all levels through personalized communication, special events, and meaningful recognition.
Serving as the primary liaison for Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Membership Society donors, the Donor Engagement Manager will ensure timely fulfillment of benefits, including ticket requests, and provide concierge-level service to advance donor relationships. The role also oversees all stewardship and cultivation events, including the annual Gala, special receptions, and smaller high-impact gatherings to elevate the donor experience and support strategic fundraising initiatives, including the Capital Project.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Donor Engagement Strategy
- Design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive donor engagement plan that fosters lasting relationships, increases donor loyalty, and builds community.
- Develop donor-centered communications that express gratitude, demonstrate impact, and reinforce continued support (e.g., personalized letters, video messages, milestone recognition).
- Collaborate with the Development team to create segmented engagement touchpoints tailored to donor interests, giving levels, and stages of involvement.
Stewardship and Member Benefits
- Oversee stewardship efforts in collaboration with gift officers to ensure timely acknowledgments, recognition, and personalized donor follow-up.
- Serve as the Foundation’s primary liaison for Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Membership Society donors, delivering concierge-level service and overseeing all aspects of benefit fulfillment, including ticketing, priority seating, and refund requests by coordinating closely with the box office to ensure timely and accurate processing.
- Oversee the Founders Lounge VIP reception room during the performance season, including guest list management, staff coordination, and communicating guest counts to the caterer for each performance.
- Serve as Foundation’s primary liaison for vendors supporting the delivery of Membership Society benefits, currently catering and parking, provide performance schedules and guest counts for catering details and parking space reservations, including updates for added or canceled shows.
- Maintain accurate donor information, preferences, and benefit usage in the CRM system.
Event Planning & Execution
- Lead the planning, execution, and follow-up for all donor-focused events and cultivation receptions.
- Serve as a team leader and primary point of contact for the annual Gala, overseeing all internal responsibilities and acting as liaison to the external events company partner to ensure flawless execution and alignment with fundraising goals.
- Coordinate high-level engagement experiences and events related to the capital campaign, ensuring personalized and strategic donor interaction.
- Work cross-functionally with internal teams, vendors, and volunteers to deliver exceptional event experiences that advance fundraising goals.
Collaboration & Internal Partnerships
- Serve as a liaison between the Development team and other departments to ensure alignment of donor messaging and experiences.
- Partner with the Communications & Marketing team on donor storytelling and recognition strategies across platforms.
- Engage with the Board and Development Committee as needed to support donor engagement efforts.
Other Responsibilities
- General team support for the department, as requested.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required, relevant certifications or advanced coursework in nonprofit management, fundraising, or communications a plus.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, or event management in a nonprofit or higher education setting.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated success managing donor relationships, soliciting gifts, and meeting fundraising goals.
- Demonstrated experience creating donor communications and executing events that inspire and engage.z
- Self-starter with a collaborative spirit and a positive, donor-first attitude.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with a high level of attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion in working with donors and volunteers.
- High level of organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
- Team-oriented with a collaborative spirit and proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong interpersonal skills and customer service oriented.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities with discretion, professionalism, and a proactive mindset.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey impact and inspire support.
- Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.
- Experience with Tessitura or similar CRM/database preferred.
- Proficiency in CRM/database systems (e.g., Salesforce, Tessitura, or similar) and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to work occasionally in the evening and on weekends for events.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk and sit.
The employee must have a valid driver’s license, and the ability to transport and set-up materials for Education events.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Acknowledgement:
The Foundation has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. The Foundation reserves the right to change it at its sole discretion at any time and without any advance notice. This job description and list of functions is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.