Associate Manager, Institutional Advancement

Title: Associate Manager, Institutional Advancement

Employment Status: Exempt

Salary: $57,750 - $64,706

Supervisor Title: Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropy

Date Revised: July 2025

Summary of Position

Under the supervision of the Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropy, the Associate Manager, Institutional Advancement works with the Institutional Advancement team and within the Engagement, Growth, and Partnerships team at large to assist in raising major and principal gifts from individuals, the Board of Trustees, and national philanthropic partners.

The Associate Manager is responsible for supporting development activities and programs with a focus on individual philanthropic fundraising. Primary responsibilities include project management for a capital campaign and other national and major gift fundraising campaigns, including drafting gift proposals, sponsorship materials, and other donor correspondence; writing prospect profiles and donor briefings for senior leadership; tracking donor engagement; event management including developing guest lists, programming, and logistics; tracking gifts, and other special projects as needed.

This position is located in Washington D.C. and Meridian requires MD, DC, or VA residence for all employees. The position may work partially remotely until further notice.

Position Responsibilities

  • Support the identification, cultivation, asks, and stewardship of philanthropic partners and potential philanthropic partners with the capacity to give major and principal gifts $25,000 – 5,000,000; responsible for increasing individual giving year over year including conducting new and current philanthropic partner research to advance the acquisition of major gifts.
  • Project management for the Capital Campaign for Meridian, tracking gifts, outreach, and organizing moves management on the campaign which supports the renovation and historic preservation of Meridian’s historic, John Russell Pope designed campus and grounds for diplomacy as well as programs ensuring the future of diplomacy, U.S. competitiveness, global alliances, and geopolitical
  • Support the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropy on the management of select board committees and liaising with the Board of Trustees
  • Ensure fundraising actions are followed through by closely collaborating with leadership on moves management of development prospects
  • Draft/write communications on behalf of the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and other senior leadership as needed for any/all follow-ups with donors
  • Research background of potential philanthropic partners and draft meeting briefs for senior
  • Take team meeting minutes as well as minutes for a committee on the Board of Trustees; ensure accurate record keeping and timely follow-up.
  • Communicate regularly with philanthropic partners and prospective
  • Design and write compelling donor materials, gift proposals, and gift agreements tailored to major philanthropic partners focused on Meridian programs and initiatives.
  • Represent Meridian at meetings and events, when appropriate, across the
  • Contribute to Salesforce database for institutional advancement related
  • Responsible for completing all organizational administrative responsibilities in a timely manner and meeting all organizational administrative deadlines.
  • Help fundraise, as needed, for Meridian’s flagship
  • Support event planning and management for dinners and other programs for major philanthropic
  • Other front-line fundraiser support and duties as

Education/Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in a related field
  • 3-5 years of work experience on a fundraising team
  • Or any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

  • Familiarity with or interest in international relations
  • Strong inter-cultural communication skills; maturity, cultural sensitivity, and tact suitable for working with individuals from around the worl​
  • Proactive collaboration and ability to anticipate
  • Assertive/confident in executive spaces, with strong follow-through to help manage executive leadership
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including versatile writing

Technical Requirements

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams is necessary for this role
  • Experience with a CRM is required; experience with Salesforce is preferred
  • Experience with third party Salesforce applications like Pardot, Linvio, iWave, and payment connectors like Stripe preferred
  • Experience with Canva and Zoom is helpful

Employer’s Statement

Meridian is committed to empowering global leaders and amplifying voices of a wide variety of backgrounds to create pathways for greater understanding, shared value and respect for all cultures as connecting people has been our foundation for over 60 years. If you share our values and enthusiasm to promote non-partisan collaboration to address global challenges and opportunities, you can find a home at Meridian.

As an equal opportunity employer, Meridian promotes equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, family responsibilities, marital, veteran or military status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunity will be offered and maintained to all persons at every stage and condition of employment, including recruiting, hiring, training, upgrading, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.

Meridian offers a comprehensive benefits package including a full medical plan with no deductible, dental (including orthodontics), a retirement plan with a substantial employer contribution from day one, fully paid life, long- and short-term disability, a variety of voluntary benefits, and generous paid leave and holidays.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should apply here. Only candidates being considered for this position will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS in reference to this position will be accepted.