Senior Manager – Donor Relations

Job Description

The Senior Manager Donor Relations will play a key role in designing and executing the major gifts fundraising strategy. The role requires engaging deeply with major donors cultivating long-term relationships identifying new prospects (national and international) crafting proposals and collaborating with internal stakeholders to align donor priorities with Clients institutional goals. This position also involves donor stewardship documentation reporting and driving the team toward annual fundraising targets.

1. Fundraising Strategy & Donor Engagement

• Develop and implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy focusing on long-term donor engagement.
  

• Build nurture and retain strong relationships with major donors through personalized interactions.
  

• Understand donor motivations and align them with IIT Bombays mission research priorities and strategic initiatives.
  

2. Prospecting & Opportunity Development

• Conduct detailed prospect research to identify and cultivate new high-value donor prospects.
  

• Lead outreach efforts for potential donors in India and globally.
  

• Prepare compelling proposals presentations donor narratives and partnership decks.
  

3. Stewardship & Reporting

• Prepare high-quality impact reports fund utilization updates and donor communications.
  

• Ensure that stewardship practices strengthen donor trust and long-term commitment.
  

4. Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with institute leadership faculty and DRF verticals to craft new giving avenues.
  

• Understand research themes innovation programmes and institutional priorities to create meaningful donor opportunities.
  

5. Data Analysis & Strategic Insights

• Analyze fundraising trends donor data and industry insights to identify new opportunities.
  

• Continuously evaluate fundraising performance and refine strategies to exceed annual targets.
  

6. Team Leadership (Preferred)

• Guide and mentor junior team members fostering a high-performance fundraising culture.
  

• Contribute to planning goal-setting and execution across the Donor Relations vertical
  

• 814 years of experience in relationship management business development partnerships or fundraising.
  

• Strong communication interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
  

• Prior exposure to philanthropy non-profit fundraising or donor stewardship is an advantage.
  

• Experience managing small teams is preferred.
  

• Ability to build trust-based high-value relationships and engage senior leaders UHNIs and major donors.
  

• Strong analytical research and proposal-writing capabilities.
  

• Highly motivated strategic thinker with a passion for social impact and institutional development.
  

Best Regards

DAWAR CONSULTING INC.