Development Manager

PAREI seeks a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and relationship-driven Development Manager to lead and grow our individual, corporate, and institutional fundraising efforts. The Development Manager will be responsible for expanding our membership base, deepening donor and sponsor relationships, and guiding the Executive Director in major gifts strategy. This is a highly outward-facing role, perfect for someone who is energized by people, motivated by impact, and strategic in both data and decision-making. 

The Development Manager is primarily responsible for the implementation of an Annual Development Plan using a variety of fundraising activities and methods in support of approved strategies and provides administrative support to meet an annual fundraising goal set collaboratively each year by the Executive Director, Board and Development Manager. The Development Manager reports directly to the Executive Director and is assisted by the board’s Development Committee. The Development Manager is part of the core leadership team that works together in a collaborative and fun environment to further PAREI’s community-wide mission. 

Essential Functions 

The Development Manager will understand and work towards meeting the strategic priorities of the organization by implementing, completing, and organizing varied tasks and activities including the cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation of major gift prospects through meetings, small receptions, events, personal visits, and other activities. The following are essential functions and expectations of the position: 

Relationship Building - The Development Manager will provide PAREI’s program information and opportunities to prospects and donors, assist with writing and development of appeals, reports, grant proposals, and other donor communications. Demonstrated experience using listening and diplomacy to build strong friendly relationships to motivate donors, staff, board members, and volunteers. Ability to determine a person’s interests, capacity and potential for helping PAREI meet its financial goals and mission is a must. 

Data entry & Reporting - The Development Manager will use PAREI’s existing donor database to update donor information, produce donor reports, perform analysis and research, create automated thank you letters and track prospects and donors. 

Donor Communications - The Development Manager will support PAREI’s executive director and program managers in grant writing tasks, reporting, and tracking as well as marketing and social media content development. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to conceive and write creatively/professionally for various audiences. 

Responsibilities & Scope  

Individual Giving & Membership 

• Cultivate relationships with individual donors and personally solicit contributions from individual donors at all levels
• Lead Development Committee meetings and attends occasional PAREI board of director meetings
• Assist with developing and operating fundraising events with staff and volunteers
• Assist with budget planning, budget reviews, and tracking/reporting on monies raised annually
• Acknowledge donations through personalized thank you letters, gifts, and recognitions
• Ensure regular database maintenance and data integrity
• Develop and execute strategies to recruit new individual members and retain, upgrade, and steward current members
• Create and manage systems for member recognition, engagement, and communication
• Plan and execute member events that foster deeper community and organizational pride 

Business Community 

• Recruit new corporate sponsors and business members
• Cultivate and grow relationships with current sponsors, seeking renewal and increased investment
• Serve as an ambassador in the community—attending events, meetings, and networking opportunities to promote PAREI's value to local businesses
• Develop customized sponsorship opportunities tied to programming, community impact, and brand visibility
• Assist in selling final tax credits for NHCDFA grant 

Data Strategy & Analytics 

• Develop fluency with Little Green Light and Constant Contact 
• Run and analyze reports to assess donor engagement, track campaign performance, and identify growth opportunities
• Use data-driven insights to guide strategic decisions and support tactical implementation across membership, donor, and sponsorship areas 

Major Gifts Strategy 

• Partner with the Executive Director to design and implement a major gifts strategy
• Use data and donor history to prioritize and prepare major donor pipeline and plan 
• Personally engage in major donor outreach and solicitations and further develop and manage a major gift portfolio of at least 150 individual donors with the capacity to make a gift over $500
• Serve as the strategic architect behind cultivation strategies, meeting prep, and stewardship plans
• Work with the Executive Director to identify major donor prospects and coordinate cultivation and solicitation efforts 

Desired Qualifications & Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years related experience in fundraising and development 
• Experience building relationships with donors, volunteers, and staff
• Skilled storyteller and communicator for donors, grants, and campaigns
• Strong interpersonal skills and curious mindset
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices
• High degree of computer literacy and technological savvy, including ample experience with databases, CRM’s, and spreadsheets and experience generating reports and interpreting data
• Familiarity with Little Green Light, QuickBooks Online, Constant Contact and Microsoft 365
• Familiarity with Central New Hampshire area
• Demonstrates sensitivity in handling confidential information
• Committed to an open and collaborative work environment
• Stay current with evolving trends in charitable giving opportunities in NH and beyond
• Interest in energy conservation, local food and community resiliency is a plus 

Benefits: Paid vacation and additional unpaid vacation time, flexible work schedule, positive and supportive working environment within a progressive and engaged community. Simple IRA investment match offered to all employees.   

Opportunity: Part-time 25-30 hours a week with potential to grow into full-time; in-person with some remote work 

Local travel only. Occasional weekend and evening work. Time will be given for professional development, in-house training, and personal site visits to learn, grow, and enhance donor relations. This position does not supervise staff but is responsible for working with staff, board and volunteers to assist with fundraising and grant-writing tasks. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

The Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment on account of race, age, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veterans’ status, or religion or otherwise as may be prohibited by federal and state law.