Development Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Development Manager

Department: Mission Services Reports To : Director of Mission Services


Status: Exempt

Position Overview

The Development Manager coordinates community outreach, employer partnerships, fundraising activities, sponsorship recruitment, donation drives, and grant management support for Goodwill Industries of South Mississippi. Working under the direction of the Director of Mission Services and Fund Development, this position implements approved plans and builds relationships that increase community awareness and opportunities for Goodwill program participants.

The position connects employers and community resources with Goodwill programs, supports training and external employment opportunities, and coordinates grant research, tracking, and reporting. Grant proposals are written by designated staff or external grant writers. Workforce services include those provided in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS).

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Partnerships and Employer Outreach

• Builds and maintains partnerships with businesses, schools, public agencies, community resource providers, training programs, and reentry support organizations to expand referrals, supportive services, and employment opportunities.
• Recruits businesses for the Job Extravaganza and coordinates employer participation in hands-on career exploration activities, workplace tours, and career presentations.
• Recruits and coordinates employers for job training, work-based learning, and external placement of Goodwill program participants. Works with program staff to align opportunities with participant skills, interests, and employment goals.
• Maintains employer communication about hiring needs, training, and placement follow-up; tracks opportunities and outcomes with program staff.
• Represents Goodwill at community events, meetings, and speaking engagements; maintains current partner contacts and resource information.

Fundraising and Donation Drives

• Recruits sponsors for major fundraising events and coordinates outreach, commitments, sponsor benefits, recognition, and follow-up.
• Coordinates assigned fundraising events and giving campaigns within approved budgets; supports donor relationships, acknowledgments, and leadership funding discussions.
• Coordinates donation drives and collection partnerships, identifies potential collection sites for approval, and works with retail, transportation, and operations staff on logistics.
• Tracks sponsorships, contributions, in-kind gifts, and campaign results; collaborates with Marketing and Administrative teams on approved promotional materials, newsletters, social media content, and impact stories.

Grant Research and Management

• Identifies corporate, foundation, and community grant opportunities for leadership review and maintains a calendar of application, reporting, and renewal deadlines.
• Coordinates program information, budgets, and supporting documents for designated grant writers; tracks application status and maintains grant records.
• Coordinates award requirements, deliverables, and timely reporting with program staff and Finance; alerts leadership to outstanding requirements or potential compliance concerns.

Program Coordination and Accountability

• Develops work plans with leadership, monitors assigned budgets and deadlines, coordinates staff and volunteers, and reports outreach, partnership, fundraising, and grant results.
• Cross-trains across all Mission Services positions to provide coverage during staff absences, vacancies, or increased program needs. Performs assigned duties within training, qualifications, and applicable program requirements to support continuity of services.
• Participates in staff meetings, training, and professional development; recommends improvements to assigned activities.
• Exercises sound judgment and professionalism while maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive participant and donor information.
• Safeguards company assets and promptly reports incidents, accidents, safety concerns, theft, fraud, waste, or misuse of company property.
• Promotes a safe work environment and meets all CARF requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to support organizational and program needs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Strong communication, presentation, relationship-building, customer/client service, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, solve problems, exercise initiative, and coordinate staff and volunteers.
• Working knowledge of employer engagement, fundraising support, donor relations, and grant administration; ability to maintain accurate records and outcome reports.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, donor management, or program tracking systems preferred.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience will be considered.
• Three years of documented experience in partnership development, community outreach, employer engagement, workforce development, nonprofit program coordination, or fundraising preferred.
• Candidates must demonstrate successful partnership development with measurable results, such as training or employment opportunities, expanded referral networks, sponsorships, or increased program participation.
• Evidence may include documented accomplishments, completed initiatives, and professional references.
• Event and sponsorship coordination and grant administration experience preferred; grant writing experience is not required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is our policy to employ qualified persons without regard for race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation or disability. Individuals are considered for employment, promotion, or training solely on their ability to perform the essential functions of the position.