Senior Development Manager

Title: Senior Development Manager, Corporate and Individual Giving 

Location: Westminster, CO 

Position Reports To: VP of Development 

About Butterfly Pavilion:  

At Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, firsthand learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future. 

Looking forward, we are committed to providing the most enriching experience for our audience, being recognized as a scientific authority, and being a leading educational resource on invertebrates.   

Our Core Values are a large part of who we are as an organization: 

• Make Science Cool 

• Love What You Do 

• Go Above and Beyond 

• Lead Change 

• Know Your Stuff 

• Be Positive 

• Welcome All 

These aren't just words, but words to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion. 

FLSA: Exempt | Full-Time 

Work Schedule: Onsite | Monday-Friday | Occasional weekends/evenings as required. 

Salary: $68,000–$80,000; starting salary is based on relevant experience.

Benefits: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life/AD&D, LTD, STD, and Employee Assistance Program. 

• Voluntary Life, ID Shield, Legal Shield, and Pet Insurance plans available. 

• Retirement Savings 401(k) Plan with employer match. 

• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time. 

• Two personal holidays per year. 

• Butterfly Pavilion Membership and 25% Gift Shop discount. 

Position Summary:  

The Senior Development Manager plays a key role in growing Butterfly Pavilion’s individual and corporate giving program by building meaningful relationships with donors and strategic partners. This position manages a portfolio of current and prospective donors and is responsible for new donor acquisition, prospecting, and cultivation to secure philanthropic support from individuals and businesses. 

This is a highly relationship-driven role for an experienced fundraiser who thrives on creating authentic connections and expanding a developing portfolio in support of annual and capital campaign goals. The Senior Development Manager will contribute to fundraising initiatives that strengthen donor engagement, sponsorship development, and philanthropic support. This position combines strategic donor relationship management with hands-on fundraising execution and serves as the lead for Development department administration. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: 

Donor Development & Fundraising 

• Manage a portfolio of current and prospective individual and corporate donors, developing and implementing cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and upgrade strategies to strengthen donor relationships and increase philanthropic support. 

• Implement donor plans to meet fundraising goals, including the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual and corporate donors.  

• Proactively identify, qualify, and cultivate new individual and corporate giving prospects to expand Butterfly Pavilion’s donor pipeline and portfolio 

• Demonstrate genuine interest in donors’ values and motivations and connect their philanthropic support to Butterfly Pavilion's mission. 

• Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies in partnership with Development leadership to strengthen relationships and secure and upgrade gifts.  

• Anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and recommend creative approaches to advance fundraising priorities and grow individual and corporate giving.  

Donor Engagement & Stewardship 

• Conduct regular donor visits, calls, and personalized outreach to deepen engagement through donor stewardship. 

• Represent Butterfly Pavilion in donor meetings, cultivation events, community gatherings, and other external engagement opportunities. 

• Support donor engagement, stewardship, and recognition events designed to strengthen relationships and advance fundraising goals. 

• Manage memorial giving, in-kind donations, and on-site giving opportunities. 

• Support sponsorship opportunities, donor engagement initiatives, and capital campaign efforts. 

• Lead and coordinate donor cultivation plans and fundraising activities from planning through execution, ensuring deadlines, deliverables, and donor commitments are met.  

Fundraising Operations & Administration 

• Maintain accurate donor records within the donor database (NEON), ensuring gifts, pledges, donor interactions, and stewardship activities are properly documented. 

• Manage donor acknowledgements, tax documentation, reports, and other donor-related communications and administrative processes for the department. 

• Utilize donor data and reporting tools to monitor portfolio activity, track progress towards goals, and inform portfolio strategy. 

• Collaborate with Finance to ensure accurate gift processing, reconciliation, and reporting of philanthropic revenue.  

• Prepare compelling donor proposals, sponsorship opportunities, briefing materials, impact reports, and other donor communications. 

Collaboration & Relationship Building 

• Build and maintain productive relationships with donors, sponsors, volunteers, community partners, and internal stakeholders.  

• Work collaboratively across departments to support fundraising priorities and ensure a positive donor experience.  

• Serve as a trusted resource and thought partner within the Development team, contributing ideas, insights, and recommendations that strengthen donor engagement and fundraising outcomes.  

Qualifications & Experience:  

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university 

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 

• 3–5 years of professional fundraising experience demonstrating success in corporate and/or individual donor development. 

• Proven ability to build a donor pipeline and portfolio, including hands-on prospect research, qualification, and cultivation. 

• Strong prospecting and donor acquisition skills, with a track record of identifying and engaging new donors. 

• Entrepreneurial spirit and motivation to help shape and strengthen a growing individual giving program. 

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage donors in meaningful dialogue and represent the organization professionally. 

• Proficiency with donor databases and CRM systems; experience with NEON or similar donor management platforms preferred. 

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, serving as a thought partner to leadership. 

• Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.  

• Demonstrated initiative, strong decision quality, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.  

• High level of computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office. 

• Passion for conservation, education, and science-focused missions. 

Work Environment / Physical Requirements: 

While performing the responsibilities of this position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the position will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. 

At Butterfly Pavilion, the employee is occasionally exposed to moderate to loud environmental noise for extended periods of time. While performing the responsibilities of this position, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and stand, use their hands and fingers, to handle/feel/grasp. The employee is occasionally required to reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Employees should be able to lift, carry and items up to 35 lbs. 

 How to Apply:  

Candidate must submit Resume and Cover Letter. 

No phone calls or drop-ins please.  

Butterfly Pavilion is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for open positions and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or veteran status.