Development Officer

Development Officer

Beacon Education is seeking a Development Officer to provide support to Beacon Education, GLOW Academy and Spark Academy. The role manages multiple functions on the Development team, including but not limited to event planning and outreach. The ideal candidate is service-oriented, dependable, resourceful, a strong problem solver, and able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy and confidentiality.

This role is primarily based on-site at Beacon Education's office, located on the campus of GLOW Academy (4100 Sunglow Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina). At times, this role will visit and work at Spark Academy.

Major Responsibilities

• Work with the CEO and Director of Organizational Development to create achievable and agreed upon goals, both long and short-range, to accomplish the organization's financial and public awareness needs
• Create, plan and schedule for event delivery, allowing appropriate lead times for outlines, marketing and communication with all constituents
• Plan, implement and manage 2 major events and various small events, annually
• Work as part of the Development Team, envisioning consistent brand messaging to present the organization and its events internally and externally. This includes, but is not limited to: developing invitations, social media posts, website content, landing pages, brochures, and other marketing materials.

Community Engagement & Events

• Proactively prepare for events concurrently, including, but not limited to:
• Creating a strategy and running order for event so that all activities and details are accounted for
• Resourcing events appropriately in terms of helping to find speakers, collaborative partners, and equipment
• Leading communications with internal and external partners involved in each event, to ensure all parties are supported and prepared
• Managing positive working relationships with internal teams and external partners
• Budget oversight to ensure events come within budget
• Integrate feedback and evaluate events following their completion.
• Manage event committees, including but not limited to; new committee member recruitment, coordinating and planning meetings, planning and executing event logistics
• Develop an event follow-up plan for the purpose of keeping attendees engaged after events with the goal of cultivating them into donors

Communications

• Work as part of the Development team to distribute appeals, announcements, and other communications via mail, e-mail, social media, and other methods
• Collaborate on messaging and storytelling that communicates organizational impact and inspires philanthropic support
• Support philanthropic communications including newsletters, donor impact stories, campaign messaging, and digital engagement
• Help maintain consistent donor-centered messaging across communication platforms
• Assist with website updates and donor-facing content related to fundraising initiatives

Donor Relations

• Manage donor cultivation events and stewardship gatherings throughout the year
• Creates from the pool of event attendees a portfolio of individuals for cultivation and stewardship with the goal of identifying and potential annual & major gift donors
• Summarize face-to-face visits, outreach and communication, and proposal details via contact reports in donor records utilizing Bloomerang
• Coordinate donor communications including thank-you letters, impact reports, donor updates, and personalized outreach
• Track donor interactions, giving history, and engagement strategies within the donor database
• Ensure timely and professional donor acknowledgment and recognition processes

Team & Organizational Expectations

• Maintain discretion and confidentiality in relationships with all Board members and internal matters
• Engage with board members and community leaders
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings and in local events to keep current on community activities
• Participate in weekly staff meetings to ensure coordinated advancement of organizational and personal goals
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, annual giving, or nonprofit development.
• Experience with donor management/database systems.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work professionally with donors, volunteers, community leaders, and external stakeholders
• Competency with Google Workplace, donor databases, and digital communication tools, including Canva and CRM platforms
• Valid driver's license required
• Must pass a nationwide criminal history and background check

Position Details

• Reports To: Director of Organizational Development
• Salary: $55,000-$60,000

Benefits

• Health insurance through the State Health Plan of North Carolina
• Employer-paid dental, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Additional voluntary benefits available at the employee's expense
• An industry-leading 401(k) program with employer match
• Employee-accrued paid sick, annual, and personal leave
• Discounted childcare for employee's dependents at Spark Academy

Organizational Overview

At Beacon Education, we are driven by the belief that a child's zip code should not determine their destiny. By ensuring equitable access to high quality education, we empower children and their families to close and even reverse the achievement and opportunity gaps. Beacon Education powers the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (GLOW Academy), an all-girls public charter school, which opened its doors in 2016 with its first 6th-grade class of 100 girls. As of 2023, Beacon Education also powers Spark Academy, a state-of-the-art, Early Childhood Development Program designed to nurture all children Ages 6-weeks to 5 years old.