Development Manager

Position Description - Development Manager

Job Title: Development Manager

Supervisor: Executive Director

Team: Development

Status: Full Time (1.0 FTE)

Class: Non-Exempt

Start Date: May 1, 2026

About Thrive:

Thrive is a nonprofit organization in Bozeman, Montana, that aims to ensure that all children have every opportunity to grow, succeed, and become valuable members of our community through programs that engage parents and empower children. Thrive has earned a commendable reputation within our community over the past 40 years, consistently garnering the trust and support of donors, community members, and stakeholders for our impactful work in the Gallatin Valley.

From our West Bozeman headquarters, Thrive offers mentoring, education, and support through our four signature programs: Partnership Project and Parent Place, and our Parent Liaison and Child Advancement Project (CAP) programs now at 14 schools. More information can be found at

Position Summary:

The Development Manager will play a key role on the development team, overseeing the strategic operations and goals of the Development team to meet a $1.2M annual revenue goal. This unique position asks the manager to do equal parts public networking in the business community as well as making a strong contribution internally with managing a Development team and the organization's event planning committees.

Position Responsibilities:

Business Partnership Engagement

• Maintains relationships with a portfolio of 150+ business partners and sponsors
• Conducts a monthly average of 12-15 face‐to‐face meetings with individuals and businesses to advance support
• Builds new relationships to secure new sponsorships and meet quarterly goals
• Meets with businesses that are looking to develop their own corporate giving programs to help guide them with the process, often giving presentations that also highlight Thrive’s volunteer opportunities
• Solicits, develops, and sustains in-kind collaborations for the organization directly benefiting programs, development, and operations
• Solicits cash donations from event, program, and general sponsors through strategic engagement

Community Relations & Networking

• Secures opportunities for Thrive presentations from community partners and business supporters
• Cultivate, secure, and facilitate volunteers from corporate partners for development and operational needs
• Collaborates with Executive Director, board, and development team to strategize for greater partnerships and promote appropriately

Client Relations & Data Management

• Submits invoice requests for donations and tracks requests until completion
• Completes business sponsor industry requirements related to their giving (i.e. Bank CRA paperwork, reporting, and interviews)
• Maintains high level of detail in data entry and notes regarding business partner relationships in Salesforce and other platforms
• Submits online application requests for corporate partners following industry processes for gifts such as banks, telecommunications, and tech firms

Team Management

• Oversees event planning committees comprised of board members, staff, and event contractor for 3 events per year that generate significant revenue
• Manages Development team, directly supervising up to 3 in maintaining productivity to meet quarterly goals
• Helps to maintain stewardship plan for team accountability in maintaining strong connections to donors
• With Executive Director and others, regularly evaluates development and fundraising strategies for the organization

Minimum Qualifications:

• Degree in Business, Management, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and years of experience
• 1-3 years of full-time business or management work experience
• Strong organizational skills with an attention to detail needed for event planning
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and communication skills
• An understanding of nonprofit organizations and appreciation of the Thrive mission

Desired Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of experience in development and/or nonprofit work
• Experience managing and supervising a team of dedicated fundraisers in development work
• Experience working with CRM software, preferably Salesforce
• Experience working in children’s advocacy, family education, or social work a plus

Core Competencies for this Position:

• Exceptional communication skills, both interpersonal and written, to convey information, build relationships, and resolve conflicts
• Must have the ability to interact proactively with many different stakeholders, from clients, staff, business leaders, and donors to maintain Thrive’s brand and uphold its values
• Strong collaboration skills, working with colleagues to innovate and constantly improve the organization, its mission, and its practices
• Experience working in a confidential environment with a high degree of judgment and discretion
• Ability to prioritize, multitask and to work independently, meet deadlines, and respond positively to changing priorities
• Exceptional organizational skills to keep detailed, easily accessed, organized records and resources

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervises up to 3 administrative support staff

Salary & Benefits:

The salary for this position is commensurate with experience.

It also includes:

• Employer-paid health premiums for employees and contributions for dependents, spouses, and domestic partners
• Employees can elect to have additional premiums for vision, dental, life, long-term disability, and other policies
• Paid time off - sick and vacation - as well as paid holidays
• Employer contribution and match to 401k retirement plan
• Some hybrid work opportunity

Additional Requirements:

Occasional nights and/or weekends per event schedule

To apply for the position, please send a letter of interest and resume to:

Virginia Hanson

Executive Director

(406) 404-5688

Equal Opportunity Employer

Thrive is an equal opportunity employer that complies with US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) rules and regulations. The organization is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and does not discriminate based on race, age, disability or other non-merit characteristics. Hiring decisions are based exclusively on merit, qualifications, and needs.

Pay: $55,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Location:

• Bozeman, MT 59718 (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Bozeman, MT 59718 (Required)

Work Location: In person