Development Manager
Reports to: Vice President of Development
Location: Kansas City, MO or Remote
Classification: Exempt
Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000
Application Review Date: July 11, 2025
Position Summary
As the Development Manager, you will play a crucial role in supporting AFA by serving as a key steward for both current and prospective partners. You will be an essential member of the development team, working to meet annual revenue goals through the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate partners. Your efforts will create meaningful impacts on the lives of partners, students, alumni, and friends. You will exercise discretion and independent judgment in coordinating and maintaining relationships with AFA partners, facilitating effective communication and participation between external partners and internal teams.
Your Essential Functions
Identify, solicit, and steward industry partnerships
Coordinate communication with industry partners to ensure clarity and provide excellent customer experience
Research and oversee project plans for potential and existing partners and donors, including preparing proposals and reports to attract, confirm, and renew partnerships
Collaborate with the internal team to engage partners in meaningful program opportunities that align with our goals.
Oversee logistics and tracking of program/partner events (i.e. Leaders Conference) including kick-off calls, preliminary and final itineraries in coordination with program lead, development coordinator and sound data management strategies
Support the design and execution of industry-focused programs through strong project management
Tracking and reporting of partner communication in a timely and accurate manner
Coordinate with financial and data teams for effective tracking and reporting of donations and financial contributions
Update and maintain accurate data related to partner organizations and individuals
Support other development/program efforts as needed.
Demonstrate moves management best practices and work closely with Development Coordinator
Competencies
Ability to build and maintain relationships
Attentive to the needs of partners, donors and volunteers
Ability to collaborate and communicate with a broad demographic of ages, professions, and educational levels
Demonstrated professionalism, strong work ethic and self-starter
Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to energize, inform, and engage stakeholders
Ability to work under pressure through the management of a variety of tasks with deadlines and direction from various team members
Demonstrated ability to learn and optimize data systems
Strong project management
Dedication to the mission and vision of our organization
Required Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree or a combination of college-level course work and training in non-profit, business development, sales, or fundraising
2-5 years' experience in fundraising, business development, customer relations or similar experience
Working knowledge of food and agriculture issues, careers and stakeholders
Experience in and/or understanding of non-profit organizations
Competence in Microsoft Office software suites
Willing to obtain and maintain a valid CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification while in this position
Preferred Education and Experience
Advanced degree and/or CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive)
Strong analytical skills necessary for organizing files and materials, managing correspondence, etc.
Background, experience or interest in the agriculture industry, youth programs and/or career development
Experience with customer relationship management software (e.g. Salesforce or similar).
Work Environment
This job operates primarily in a professional office environment. Remote employees may work primarily from home office.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, and subject to request reasonable accommodations, you will be required to constantly operate a computer and other office machinery as needed. You are expected to remain in a stationary position most of the day and to exchange information with internal and external constituents regularly. Occasionally, the employee may need to move or position equipment or supplies weighing 5-10 pounds.
Because travel is frequent and this role represents our organization at other conferences, the ability to transport personal belongings and organizational promotional materials for travel, with reasonable accommodation, is necessary.
Position Type/Regular Hours of Work
This is a full-time position, and regular hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. This position will be expected to work some evenings and weekends as needed.
Travel
Travel is primarily local during the business day, although out-of-area and overnight travel is expected to AFA events throughout the year and on weekends. Travel is approximately 15-20%.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Agriculture Future of America (AFA) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, AFA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.
AFA expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, and interference with the ability of AFA’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
View our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Employee signature our careers webpage.