PTF seeks a highly motivated, team-oriented Development Manager to join the existing Development Manager, Development Associate, and the Director of Development in managing all aspects of the Foundation’s investor program. In addition to shared responsibilities, and subject to the discretion of the Director of Development, the incoming Development Manager will collaborate across departments and with volunteers to nurture a culture of relationships and engagement throughout the organization and around the country.

The winning Development Manager will be a high-performing contributor to the success of PTF’s fundraising programs. The Development Manager will own a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects and donors with a regional focus on Chicago and the West Coast, primarily in the Bay Area, LA, Denver, Portland, and Seattle. The Development Manager will lead and scale efforts to build community and support in these regions. This position reports directly to the Director of Development. 

Who You Are

• Detail-oriented and highly organized.  An effective systems thinker who can manage multiple projects and prioritize appropriately to produce high-quality results quickly and on time.  You are a natural forward planner who critically assesses your own performance.

• Relationship-builder. You love working with diverse audiences and partners to elevate the voices and impact of the Tillman Scholars as the next generation of public and private sector leaders. You know how to excite people about opportunities to connect with our mission and invest in the impact of the scholar community. You have solid relationship management skills and are an effective networker motivated to strengthen relations with supporters, investors  and partners.

• Clear communicator. You understand the power that small, daily, consistent actions have to create trust and build lasting relationships. Clear and effective written and verbal communicator, experienced in presenting to senior and/or strategic leadership. You have an entrepreneurial spirit and a communication style that inspires others and extinguishes conflict.

• Entrepreneurial spirit. You are a lifelong learner who is passionate about intellectual growth and committed to continuous improvement. You’re driven by innovation, creativity, and breakthrough thinking that challenges the conventional and fosters new ideas. As a self-motivated leader and teammate, you love brainstorming to come up with big, inspiring ideas. You are a bold thinker with innovative ideas and creative problem-solving approaches.

• Change Agent: Leader that is agile, courageous, and pushes through conflict for speed to action. A leader that thrives under pressure, takes big risks, delivers solutions, and leads the change. You are a self-motivated leader that drives the agenda and thrives in a competitive, fast-paced environment. Relentless focus on delivering results and tenacity to get it done with urgency.

• Passionate. You care about making a difference in the world, and want to support veterans and their families working at an impactful level across sectors including health, law, business, policy, academia, government, and defense. You want to come to work and feel inspired every day. You want to change the world.

What You’ll Do

In addition to participating in regularly-scheduled team meetings, brainstorms, prep and planning sessions, and events; assisting with the daily documentation of stewardship and engagement efforts in the pursuit of revenue; imagining and blueprinting new ways to engage investors through sponsorship opportunities and mutually-beneficial interactions; supporting the Director of Development, the Office of the CEO, and the Board of Directors, and; planning and executing a yearlong calendar of PTF events in collaboration with all other functional teams, you will own the specific duties bulleted below. 

Additionally, you will be asked to operate from a ‘learn and contribute’ mindset, to be curious about our entire investment community, and to operate with a sense of optimism as we work to become a $10M organization over the next phase of growth. 

General

• Provides initiative, and accountability for PTF and all related constituencies in accordance with the development department and the foundation’s strategic focus

• Helps donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with PTF; regularly engages donors and prospects in conversations that build relationships to generate revenue for PTF, as well as expand and diversify the donor pool

• Collaborates closely with the Development team to ensure smooth integration and success of PTF’s giving programs; executes on activities and meets stated goals for donor engagement and giving

• Maintains close and highly collaborative relationships within the development team, PTF staff, board, scholars, and other constituencies

• Works closely with program staff to gain a thorough working knowledge of the services provided

• Becomes acquainted with Tillman Scholars and collaborates with them on engagement and stewardship activities

• Respond to general development inquires

• Manage stewardship for $1,000+ donors

Major Gifts and Special Campaigns

• Contributes to the sustainability and growth of Major Gifts and Planned Giving

• Commits to a disciplined moves management process; owns a portfolio of corporate, foundation, and individual donors and prospects, primarily in the Chicago and in the West Coast region (ie, Bay Area, LA, Denver, Portland, and Seattle)

• Participates in weekly prospect meetings

• Manages department use of Opportunities in Salesforce

Grant-making 

• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new relationships with grant-making organizations. 

• Write and submit grants to well-aligned grantors

• Oversee and manage grant calendar and deliverables for all grantors in the designated region

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure timely accomplishment of grant deliverables

Events

• Leads engagement efforts for Tillman Honors, an annual event in Chicago; collaborates with operations, marketing, and programs teams to ensure the event meets its fundraising and attendance goals

• Provides leadership and support for the execution of Pints for Pats events in the designated regions

• Creates cultivation events to grow awareness and support in designated regions

• Leads the establishment of Scholar Selection host committee locations in the odd year on the West Coast cycles

Regional Councils

• Manages and contributes to the growth of the Chicago Regional Council, a dedicated group of professionals who raise money and grow awareness for PTF

• Establishes a West Coast Regional Council that builds awareness and community, as well as raises funds in service of PTF’s strategic priorities

Team Tillman

• Serve as primary contact for Team Tillman Chicago internally and externally

• Provide customer service for Team Tillman members

• Recruit, cultivate and coach fundraising runners

• Manage acknowledgements and allocations for all donations received

• Manage Team Tillman Rewards leading up to and during race week

• Coordinate gear and incentive process for team members

• Work with Marathon representatives to secure spots and on the registration process

• Coordinate details for Marathon weekends

• Send monthly email correspondence to the team

Marketing and Communications

• Collaborates with marketing to update or create communications that advance fundraising, build relationships, and improve PTF’s overall visibility and identity with donors

• Leads efforts to produce regular major gifts updates and a quarterly donor newsletter

This position will report to the Director of Development, and is based in Chicago or on the West Coast. Remote candidates will be considered. Other development staff are based in Chicago and Washington DC.  Travel is estimated at 25% of total work time in a given year. The position is available in May. 

The Pat Tillman Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQIA+, and other underrepresented applicants. Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Pat Tillman Foundation, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

If interested, please apply online at or direct any questions to info@pattillmanfoundation.org.