Manager, Garden Patrons Program

NYBG Job Description

Position Summary:

The Manager, Garden Patrons Program supports the operation and continued growth of the Garden Patrons Program, a high-level membership group recognizing annual gifts of $1,500-$25,000, and the Young Garden Circle, an engagement program for young donors giving $500-$1,500 annually.

Additionally, in support of the Institutional Advancement department’s broader donor engagement needs, the Manager will occasionally support outreach and stewardship for individual donors as assigned by department leadership or requested by the President’s Office. This position reports to the Director of the Garden Patrons Program.

Partnership is vital to this position’s success. As such, the Manager is expected to be a collaborative and strategic member of the Institutional Advancement department and the Individual Giving team. Internally, the Manager is a diligent, proactive, well-organized administrator. Externally, they are a warm, helpful representative of the Garden Patrons Program, an enterprising front-line fundraiser, and an enthusiastic advocate for NYBG’s work and mission.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

Manage a portfolio of current and recently lapsed Garden Patrons, proactively cultivating and upgrading them to increased levels of giving, with an emphasis on developing NYBG’s pipelines of Major Gifts, Special Events, and Planned Giving prospects. Increase giving by 3% (average) year-over-year for the next five years to support the NYBG’s strategic planning emphasis with a particular focus on upper-level Patrons and generational diversity.

• Administer the Garden Patrons’ concierge line and email inbox; field a high volume of inquiries and accommodate frequent requests from Garden Patrons.

• Maintain current and accurate records in database, tracking documents, and files.

• Contribute to the planning and execution of Garden Patrons events and communications, including by drafting appeal letters and other correspondence.

• Assist in staffing other NYBG events, as required.

• Provide general administrative support for the Individual Giving team.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of three years of experience in fundraising and/or relevant customer service, ideally with a membership or patrons’ program at a comparable cultural institution.

• Propriety, thoughtfulness, and discretion in communicating with donors and colleagues at all levels, both verbally and in writing. Excellent judgment.

• Experience and comfort with asking for monetary donations (or investments, etc.) by phone, in person, and in writing.

• Exceptional time management and organizational skills, sharp attention to detail.

• Ability to balance multiple projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills. Writing samples will be required during the interview process.

• Experience writing fundraising communications is strongly preferred.

• Willingness to work occasional evenings/ weekends for events and donor visits, and more frequently during spring, required.

• Driver’s license required.

• Fluency in Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint preferred.

• Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge, SiriusWare, and/or Luminate software preferred.

• Bachelor’s Degree required.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, work outdoors under a variety of weather conditions, and occasionally work under moderate or loud work conditions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Baseline Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Salary is commensurate with experience within the range of $65,000-$72,000.

Please include a cover letter.