We're Hiring: Development Manager

Position: Development Manager
Organization: Lowcountry Local First
Term: Full-time, permanent
Reports to: Executive Director
Salary: $55,000-60,000
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Summary: Lowcountry Local First (LLF) is an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization made up of more than 450 local businesses representing diverse industries across the 8-county Lowcountry region. Our mission is to cultivate an economy anchored in local ownership, because local-independent businesses are the cornerstone of our culture, economy, and character. Our work is threefold: 1) educate the public on why it’s important to choose local and influence them to do so; 2) work with our elected officials, decision-makers, and opinion leaders to foster a better environment for creating and sustaining local businesses, and 3) deliver resources, programming, networking, mentorship and more to local businesses of all shapes and sizes.

The Development Manager will work in partnership with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. Their primary responsibilities will include managing and overseeing fundraising operations and helping secure the resources necessary for the maintenance and growth of the organization. The position entails cultivating and stewarding relationships with new and existing donors, foundations, sponsors, and members. 

Principal Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a multi-source development plan and oversee its implementation and tracking.

• Plan, implement, and evaluate impactful initiatives for member, sponsor, and donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. 

• Manage and grow a portfolio of 15-20 private and corporate foundations grant identification, relationships, writing, reporting and stewardship.

• Actively build strong relationships across all segments of the community to identify and cultivate new individual and corporate donors for annual events and campaigns.

• Participate regularly in community activities and events to enhance the image and position of the organization. 

• Support the organization’s Membership and Communication efforts, events, and other related duties and projects as needed. 

• Key donor responsibilities:

  • Work with LLF Board of Directors to identify prospects, conduct prospect research, set prospective and current donor meetings.

  • Write donor appeal letters, emails, proposals, quarterly updates for major donors, and stewardship pieces with support from the Director of Marketing and Communications.

  • Manage a portfolio of lower level donors with mid-high capacity to steward, as well as qualify, cultivate, and solicit for larger gifts.

  • Manage the utilization of the Salesforce donor management database and manage quarterly reports.

• Annual Planning duties:

  • Lead public phase planning efforts for annual Giving Day and year-end campaigns

  • Lead development of annual grants calendar

  • Manage mid-level campaign planning efforts, strategy, and implementation.

  • Support year-round fundraising events

Skills & Qualifications

The ideal candidate:

• Demonstrated success setting and achieving development goals (through memberships, sponsorships, etc.).

• Has great passion for the mission of Lowcountry Local First and enjoys supporting local-independent businesses. 

• Eloquently and effectively communicate the mission and work of LLF, whether one-on-one or a public speaking engagement.

• Ability to direct staff and collaborate with a small team, as well as work independently.

• Is highly organized with the ability to prioritize, manage projects, implement systems and follow-up processes.

• Experience with Salesforce or a similar donor management CRM.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Work may be performed indoors and outdoors during all but the most severe weather. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. 

Benefits

• Paid time off based on tenure.

• Eight paid holidays (including your birthday), plus Dec. 24th through Jan 1st.

• 3% company matching SIMPLE-IRA retirement fund.

• Generous cell phone and insurance stipends.

• Work remotely one day per week.

• Parental leave up to [14] weeks (after one year of employment), including four [4] weeks paid leave.

• Annual stipend provided for professional development.

How to Apply

NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE. Please email cover letter and resume to HR@lowcountrylocalfirst.org with “Development Manager” in subject heading.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to ongoing organizational improvements to create an inclusive environment for all employees. We cannot achieve a thriving local economy without racial justice, and we believe that achieving true equality requires dismantling racism and repairing the centuries of harm inflicted on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. We aim to identify candidates committed to these values of equity and justice. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.