Manager, Stewardship

Title: Manager, Stewardship

Classification: Exempt

About Smile Train 

Smile Train is changing the world one smile at a time. Our goal is to transform every person's life impacted by a cleft lip or palate. We train and support local doctors and medical professionals to provide beneficiaries with free, life-changing comprehensive cleft treatment. Our sustainable model has allowed us to support over 2 million surgeries in 80+ countries and we’re just starting. We are truly changing the world one smile at a time. 

Smile Train is looking for exceptional people to join a worldwide team of dedicated, passionate professionals.  Our team is comprised of creative and highly motivated individuals working to make a positive impact. Join us!     

The Manager, Stewardship at Smile Train, will lead strategic donor engagement initiatives to strengthen relationships and drive long-term philanthropic support. This role is responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive stewardship strategies across all giving levels, creating impactful donor communications, and managing bi-annual impact reporting. The Manager will collaborate closely with Development, Communications, and Program teams to deliver personalized donor experiences, oversee data integrity in Salesforce, and analyze performance metrics to inform future strategies. This full-time, hybrid position based in New York City (in office 2x per week) requires strong project management skills, CRM proficiency, and a deep understanding of the donor lifecycle.

Summary/Objective: We are looking for someone who brings:

• Extensive experience in donor stewardship and development, ideally within a large nonprofit organization.


• A strategic understanding of the donor lifecycle and how stewardship drives retention, upgrades, and long-term engagement.


• Strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex projects and lead cross-functional teams.


• Expertise in segmented donor communications, impact reporting, and personalized stewardship plans.


• Proficiency in CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and project management tools like Asana.


• A collaborative mindset, capable of working across Development, Communications, and Marketing to deliver high-impact donor experiences.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Travel: 20-25%

Key Responsibilities

As the Stewardship Manager, you will serve as a strategic partner across the Development team, leading donor engagement initiatives that support Smile Train’s work and revenue goals. You will be responsible for designing and executing stewardship strategies that align with the donor lifecycle and enhance retention across all giving levels and revenue streams—including Major Gifts, Mid-Level Giving, Planned Giving, and Corporate & Foundation partnerships.

Strategic Stewardship & Donor Engagement

• Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive stewardship strategies tailored to donor segments and giving levels.


• Collaborate with Development team leads to build personalized stewardship plans for high-value donors, including major gift prospects and planned giving supporters.


• Create donor-centric materials and experiences that celebrate philanthropy and deepen donor connection to Smile Train’s impact.

Communications & Impact Reporting

• Develop and manage the production of bi-annual impact reports and customized donor communications.


• Partner with Communications and Direct Marketing teams to ensure consistent, targeted messaging across all high-value audiences.


• Oversee the creation of cultivation content (i.e., donor letters, blogs, donor stories) that reflects Smile Train’s impact and values.

Project & Data Management

• Utilize Asana and Salesforce to manage stewardship workflows, timelines, and donor touchpoints.


• Serve as the primary liaison with the database team to ensure data integrity and accurate tracking of stewardship activities.


• Analyze performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of stewardship efforts and inform future strategy.

Event Support & Donor Experiences

• Support donor cultivation events by managing pre- and post-event communications, logistics, and onsite engagement.


• Coordinate with internal teams to deliver seamless donor experiences across virtual and in-person events.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Major Gifts, Mid-Level, Planned Giving, and Corporate/Foundation teams to align stewardship with fundraising goals.


• Maintain and execute stewardship benefits grid to ensure donors receive appropriate recognition and engagement based on giving level.


• Identify new opportunities for donor engagement, including personalized outreach, site visits, and storytelling initiatives

Experience and Expertise

We are seeking a strategic, detail-oriented professional with nonprofit fundraising experience and a proven track record in donor stewardship. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of the donor lifecycle and how thoughtful engagement drives long-term philanthropic support across diverse revenue streams.

Required Qualifications

• Exceptional communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to craft compelling donor narratives and impact-driven messaging.


• Advanced project management expertise, with a demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives from concept to execution.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Asana (or other project management tools), with strong organizational and time management skills.


• Robust CRM experience, preferably with Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge, including data analysis and donor segmentation.


• Bachelor’s degree in philanthropy, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field—or equivalent professional experience.


• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in a fundraising or nonprofit development role, ideally within a large, mission-driven organization.


• Experience developing high-impact collateral for major donors, corporate partners, and foundations across print and digital platforms.


• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage sensitive donor relationships and collaborate across departments.


• Self-starter with a strategic mindset, capable of working independently while driving team-wide initiatives.


• Detail-oriented and analytical, with a passion for continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making.


• Collaborative team player, with a positive attitude and a sense of humor.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a large, complex nonprofit organization, with a preference for candidates who have worked in healthcare systems and higher education development environments. 


• Familiarity with major gift, mid-level, planned giving, and corporate/foundation fundraising strategies.


• Deep understanding of donor lifecycle management and how stewardship supports donor retention and growth.


• Experience working with cross-functional teams.

Education

Bachelor's degree or relevant work experience.

Smile Train Leadership Accountability Expectations

• Take full ownership of my role as a leader at Smile Train.


• Operate with a one organization mindset.


• Think strategically and balance a short and long-term perspective.


• Be respectful and professional in every interaction.


• Engage in healthy debate to drive the best possible result.


• Recognize and develop my staff and team.

Salary Range

$60,000 - $65,000

Compensation and Benefits

Smile Train offers a high-level competitive benefits package with excellent health, 401k, and time off benefits.

Application Process

All applicants must submit a cover letter and resume.

Smile Train is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

To apply, please complete the application online. Include your CV and a cover letter explaining why you would be a good fit for Smile Train and this role. Only those that provide a cover letter as directed will be considered. We encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Application Information

Smile Train is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply. To apply, please complete the application online. Include your CV, and a cover letter that describes why you believe you would be a good fit for Smile Train and this role. We encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible