Development Manager

Position Title: Development Manager


Status: Regular, Exempt, Full-Time


Hiring Range: $70,000-$75,000


Posting Date: August 25, 2026


Location: Hybrid; Must be able to get to White River Junction, VT and Upper Valley towns for donor meetings and staff gatherings as necessary


To Apply: Submit an application at See the end of this posting for information on what constitutes a complete application.


Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Vital Communities will begin reviewing applications on September 8, 2026.


About Vital Communities


Vital Communities has a dedicated and passionate team who are deeply involved in the Upper Valley in their work with the organization and as community members. This informs our highly collaborative approach to work - we understand that we exist in tandem with the world around us and not in a vacuum. The organization has a long history in the community, with projects that have decades of work behind them, so we are often trying to figure out how to say yes to new projects the community wants to see. However, we also realize that sometimes we need to say not now or that another organization may be a better fit - we share the wealth! We are a flexible workplace - with our approaches to the work, the projects we take on as an organization, and how we make use of our time together when we are in person. This flexibility is balanced by an expectation of accountability to our colleagues, our partners, and the communities we serve. We empower team members to work with a high level of autonomy and to take initiative. Our work is challenging and ever-changing, so we make room to laugh, but there is no need for you to be goofy to join our team. To learn more about our values, please visit our Strategic Compass and JEDI Principles.


The Job at a Glance


Reporting to and working in close partnership with the Executive Director, the Development Manager manages the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual, corporate, foundation and government donors in alignment with our Strategic Compass. Responsibilities include managing our annual giving campaigns (Fall and Spring) in collaboration with the Communications & Donor Stewardship Manager; contributing to and implementing corporate giving strategies, donor stewardship and database initiatives; and generating grant proposals and managing a grant portfolio in collaboration with the Programs Director. The position is supported by an Administrative Coordinator.


Job Responsibilities


The Development Manager, coordinating closely with staff, is responsible for developing, managing and implementing strategies to raise funds from individuals, corporations, foundations and the government to meet the organization's revenue goals. Key strategic and development functions include contributing to and managing a strategic annual Development Plan, participating in the annual budgeting process, managing bi-annual appeal campaigns, cultivating new donors and grants including prospecting, maintaining accurate donor records, and stewarding strong relationships with existing funders. The role requires close collaboration with the Communications Manager, as well as with the Programs Director and program staff for their narrative and budgetary contributions to the proposal development process, and to ensure that Development goals and deliverables align with Vital Communities' programmatic needs and values. The Development Manager will also collaborate with the finance team to ensure that general operating support is secured.


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and communication skills, including an ease with soliciting donors face-to-face and in writing

• Ability to work collaboratively with others and to develop effective solutions to shared challenges

• Deep knowledge and understanding of JEDI issues and best practices for organizations striving to become diverse, equitable, and inclusive, and ability to work effectively in such an organization

• Ability to generate successful grants, including writing and editing proposals, ensuring budgets meet funder requirements, producing timely and informative reports, and stewardship

• Demonstrated track record in challenging and influencing colleagues to approach all work with an equity lens

• Ability to think creatively and progressively across changing philanthropy landscapes to keep pace with emergent practices

• Awareness of and skill in applying strategic marketing and communications principles

• Strong project management skills and experience, including delegation, organization, attention to detail, and prioritization across multiple projects

• Strong data analysis skills and an interest in using data and information to drive decisions

Experience

• Experience with individual, corporate, foundation and/or government fundraising, and awareness of the fundraising landscape in the Upper Valley

• 5 or more years of progressive experience in development, institutional partnerships, or related field,

• Technically proficient, including experience with databases and an ability to learn new software quickly and easily. Software we use includes DonorPerfect, Air Table, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Gmail, and other technologies.

• Discerning decision-making and research skills, as well as a high value placed on confidentiality.

• A commitment to continuous learning of best practices in fundraising and communications.

Please apply for this job if you are interested, even if your experience does not meet 100% of the job description. We understand that experiences, skills, and qualifications come in many different forms. The application and interview processes are designed to give you and us opportunities to explore how your unique set of skills, experience, and perspective fit with this position.


A resume is required. We invite you to share additional materials if you choose. This is not required. You're welcome to send in anything else that would represent your ability to do this job, such as a cover letter, a video, an audio file, or an example of your work. Whether or not you send additional materials, or if you send more than one, is not indicative of a strong application. We offer this opportunity to support different ways of expression and communication. Please limit a video or audio file to less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds in length.


Vital Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender identity, race, religion, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, or disability with respect to employment, volunteer participation, participation in our programs or events, or the provision of services.