Development Specialist

Position Title: Development Specialist

Location: US Remote

Department: Development

Reporting to: Vice President, Development

POSITION SUMMARY

The Development Specialist serves as a vital member of Winrock International's Development team, providing critical administrative, operational, and research support to advance the organization's fundraising efforts. The Development Specialist plays a central role in maintaining efficient systems that support donor and prospect research, communication, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Reporting directly to the Vice President, Development, the Development Specialist collaborates closely with the VP, Development to manage various team calendars, coordinate meetings, and provide a wide range of logistical and writing support to ensure the effectiveness of the team's donor engagement activities.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Donor Relations, Research, and Communications

• Draft and coordinate high-quality donor communications, including reports, solicitation and acknowledgment letters, event materials, and prospect briefings.
• Function as point staff for gift processing and tracking.
• Conduct donor and prospect research, develop background profiles, and maintain accurate and current records in Salesforce.
• Manage the Development team's cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship calendar to ensure timely engagement and follow-up with donors and partners.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment across all written and outreach materials.
• Provide online and on-site logistical support for donor engagement activities such as meetings, events, and webinars.
• Coordinate donor communications such as mailings, ensuring efficient and accurate tracking in Salesforce and communications software.

Administrative and Operational Support

• Manage the Vice President, Development's calendar, schedule meetings, prepare materials and agendas, and coordinate follow-up actions.
• Support operational efficiency through proactive problem-solving, maintaining organized systems, and executing special projects as assigned.
• Facilitate clear communication among internal and external stakeholders to ensure smooth execution of fundraising and team initiatives.
• Manage Salesforce database entries and reports, maintaining accurate constituent records.

Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of three years of related experience, preferably in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit operations.
• Experience working with donor CRM databases such as Salesforce, with demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records and produce analytical reports.

Preferred Experience:

• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising or development operations.
• Experience supporting donor research, proposal development, and relationship management for individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Familiarity with generative and predictive AI tools to streamline research, donor campaigns, and operational workflows.

Skills:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with ability to translate complex global development work into compelling donor messaging.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with high emotional intelligence.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and strategic, with the ability to manage competing priorities and donor timelines.

Language: English required: English speaking and strong written communication skills are required.

Required Travel: Some travel required

The pay range for this role is between $65,000 and $75,000 per year depending on level of experience, specialized knowledge in the role and function and business needs. Winrock offers an excellent benefits package.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by law.

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.