Senior Development Associate (36208)

To be considered for any SJCS careers all applicants must apply using this link SJCS Careers

About St. John’s Community Services

What are we looking for?

SJCS is looking for a Senior Development Associate that thrives on building relationships and expanding our fundraising presence throughout the DMV. This is a highly external, relationship-driven position, so we're looking for someone with a proactive, "boots on the ground" mentality who is energized by getting out into the community to build awareness, identify new supporters, and cultivate donors. The ideal candidate brings strong donor portfolio management skills, experience planning and executing fundraising events, and the strategic instincts to develop partnerships across the region — including Gifts-in-Kind relationships that help reduce operating costs across SJCS programs. Above all, we're looking for someone who understands that while community engagement matters, securing financial contributions that generate unrestricted revenue is the primary objective of this role.

 Your overall essential responsibilities will be the following:

Individual Giving & Donor Cultivation (40%) 

• Manage and cultivate an assigned portfolio of individual donors throughout the DMV. 

• Maintain accurate donor records and engagement strategies within the CRM. 

• Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention plans. 

• Identify, qualify, and engage new prospective donors. 

• Move donors strategically through the SJCS donor journey—from awareness to annual giving, major giving, and long-term engagement. 

• Conduct regular donor meetings, tours, stewardship visits, and personalized outreach. 

• Coordinate donor recognition and stewardship activities. 

• Collaborate with leadership on major gift opportunities. 

Fundraising Events (25%) 

Serve as the primary project manager for assigned fundraising events from concept through execution. 

• Event planning and timeline management 

• Sponsorship development and fulfillment 

• Ticket sales and attendee cultivation 

• Budget management 

• Vendor coordination 

• Volunteer coordination 

• Auction and raffle management 

• Marketing coordination with the Communications team 

• Day-of-event logistics 

• Post-event stewardship and reporting 

Continuously evaluate opportunities to expand existing events while creating new fundraising experiences that engage new audiences and increase unrestricted revenue. 

Community Engagement & Business Development (20%) 

Act as a visible ambassador for SJCS throughout the DMV. 

• Represent SJCS at community events, networking functions, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, and nonprofit collaborations. 

• Identify opportunities for speaking engagements, tabling events, community fairs, and local partnerships. 

• Develop relationships with: 

• Civic organizations 

• Corporate partners 

• Professional associations 

• Faith communities 

• Foundations 

• Community leaders 

• Introduce new audiences to the mission of SJCS and convert awareness into donor engagement. 

• Build a robust pipeline of prospective supporters and partners. 

Gifts-in-Kind (GIK) Development (10%) 

Develop and maintain partnerships that provide meaningful in-kind support for SJCS programs. 

• Food donations 

• Household goods 

• Furniture 

• Hygiene supplies 

• Office supplies 

• Event items 

• Seasonal donations 

The objective is to reduce program expenses while strengthening community partnerships. 

Data Management & Reporting (5%) 

• Maintain accurate donor records in the CRM. 

• Track donor movement through the fundraising pipeline. 

• Prepare monthly reports on donor activity, event performance, community engagement, and revenue. 

• Monitor fundraising metrics and recommend strategies for growth. 

This list of responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this position is not in its entirety as other duties may be assigned and are expected to be followed.

You will catch our eye if you have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience. 

• 5-7 years of fundraising, nonprofit development, sales, business development, or relationship management experience. 

• Demonstrated success in donor cultivation or client relationship management. 

• Experience planning and executing events. 

• Strong public speaking and networking skills. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication. 

• Ability to work evenings and weekends for community events. 

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for regional travel. 

Extra credit will be given if you have the following experience, and requirements:

• Experience using donor CRM software. 

• Experience with sponsorship development. 

• Experience working with nonprofit organizations. 

• Knowledge of the DMV philanthropic community. 

• Experience securing Gifts-in-Kind partnerships. 

Physical Requirements 

This position requires frequent travel throughout the DMV region, attendance at evening and weekend events, lifting and transporting event materials up to 25 pounds, and extended periods of standing during community outreach and fundraising events. Occasional travel to other SJCS program areas throughout western Tennessee & New York. 

Core Competencies 

• Relationship Building 

• Strategic Networking 

• Fundraising & Sales 

• Event Management 

• Community Outreach 

• Project Management 

• Donor Stewardship 

• Communication & Presentation 

• Initiative & Self-Direction 

• Collaboration 

• Results Orientation 

Performance Expectations 

Success in this role will be measured by: 

• Growth in unrestricted fundraising revenue. 

• Number of new individual donors acquired. 

• Donor retention and advancement through the SJCS donor journey. 

• Event revenue growth and attendance. 

• Sponsorship revenue. 

• Number of new community partnerships established. 

• Number of community engagement opportunities secured. 

• Gifts-in-Kind value secured. 

• Quality and consistency of donor stewardship. 

• Accurate and timely CRM documentation. 

Other benefits include the following:

• Medical, dental, vision, STD, and other benefits and company contributions.
• Retirement plans.
• Company paid LTD.
• Connectivity reimbursements (some employees).
• PTO, Vacation, and sick time off.
• Flexibility.
• Family culture.
• Helping other people live their best life!

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Do you think that you are a great fit for this position? We are waiting for you to join our team! Apply today on our company website SJCS Careers to be considered.