Development Manager

Summary

Blue Star Families is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving life for military and veteran-connected families. The Development Manager provides administrative support to the Development Department while developing fundraising expertise through donor database management, grant writing support, donor research, stewardship reporting, event coordination, and department operations.

Responsibilities

• Accurately create and update Salesforce records to capture all donor interactions and opportunities, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of BSF's donor data
• Use AI or other tools to take comprehensive meeting notes, and proactively initiate and manage follow-up actions so all tasks and commitments are addressed in a timely manner
• Efficiently manage appointments and schedules using Google Calendar
• Assist the Senior Manager of Operations & Stewardship and the Lead Vice President in tracking and creating stewardship reports for corporate and foundation donors
• Backstop the Senior Manager of Operations & Stewardship on the Development Team's interactions with the Finance Department
• Use Google Suite (email, calendar, chat) and Google Drive to create, edit, and save Docs, Sheets, and Slides
• Utilize Hive to streamline tasks and collaborate efficiently with BSF colleagues and teams
• Design engaging, impactful donor reports using Canva
• Apply key fundraising techniques, including research/prospecting, grant writing, and donor cultivation and stewardship
• Support the planning and execution of special events, particularly maintaining invitation lists
• Craft clear, effective written communications, including emails, memos, flyers, letters of intent, proposals, and reports
• Conduct donor research to identify new, appropriate funding prospects (private and public) for BSF's programs and priorities
• Maintain the department meeting calendar and agenda
• Provide updates at department meetings
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

• • 2-4 years of related sales or fundraising experience
• • Bachelor's degree in a discipline such as marketing, social work, English, communications, management, or public relations, or commensurate experience
• • Demonstrated experience effectively managing administrative tasks, including record management, note-taking, and scheduling
• • Proficiency in Google Suite, Canva, Salesforce, and Hive, or a proven ability to quickly learn and master these tools
• • Strong research skills, ideally in contexts relevant to fundraising, business, or similar fields
• • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• • Excellent attention to detail
• • Quick learner, adaptable to a variety of tasks and challenges in a fast-paced environment
• • Works and communicates effectively with people from different backgrounds, and fosters collegial teamwork
• • Experience working in a virtual environment
• • Ability to travel out of town overnight several times per year for staff offsites, planning retreats, and company-wide events; these gatherings are essential for connection, brainstorming, and staying strategically aligned across teams, and participation is required as a core part of the role
• • May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary to carry out key job functions
• • Familiarity with the military community
• • Familiarity with membership-driven organizations

Qualifications

Must Haves

• • 2-4 years of related sales or fundraising experience
• • Bachelor's degree in a discipline such as marketing, social work, English, communications, management, or public relations, or commensurate experience
• • Demonstrated experience effectively managing administrative tasks, including record management, note-taking, and scheduling
• • Proficiency in Google Suite, Canva, Salesforce, and Hive, or a proven ability to quickly learn and master these tools
• • Strong research skills, ideally in contexts relevant to fundraising, business, or similar fields
• • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• • Excellent attention to detail
• • Quick learner, adaptable to a variety of tasks and challenges in a fast-paced environment
• • Works and communicates effectively with people from different backgrounds, and fosters collegial teamwork
• • Experience working in a virtual environment
• • Ability to travel out of town overnight several times per year for staff offsites, planning retreats, and company-wide events; these gatherings are essential for connection, brainstorming, and staying strategically aligned across teams, and participation is required as a core part of the role
• • May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary to carry out key job functions

Nice to Haves

• • Familiarity with the military community
• • Familiarity with membership-driven organizations

Benefits

• Mission-driven work supporting military service members and their families
• Flexible work options (remote, or hybrid depending on the role)
• Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Flexible Spending Accounts, life insurance, and disability insurance
• Communications allowance
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• PCS leave for Active Duty military spouses