Development Specialist

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTHERN MAINE Development Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Development and Communications

SUPERVISOR: Director of Development and Communications

FLSA STATUS: Exempt, Full-time/40 hours per week; includes occasional nights/weekends for events

LOCATION: In-person; Westbrook, ME SALARY: $46,000 - $50,000, commensurate with experience

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Development and Communications, the Development Specialist supports key revenue initiatives that advance the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine. The position plays an active role in individual giving, donor stewardship, corporate and community partnerships, grant development, and fundraising events. Working closely with the Director of Development and Communications, this individual implements the annual Development Plan, manages assigned donor and partner relationships, coordinates fundraising campaigns and events, and supports grant development and management activities. The role requires strong writing, relationship management, organizational, and project management skills, with an emphasis on timely execution, accurate records, and measurable results.

Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes

Individual Giving and Donor Stewardship

Coordinate and execute the Annual Fund Campaign

• Implement the annual fund plan and campaign calendar in alignment with revenue goals and organizational priorities.
• Coordinate annual and targeted appeals, including direct mail, email, and online giving, with responsibility for timelines, donor segmentation, follow-up, and results tracking.
• Collaborate with the Communications/Marketing Coordinator and leadership on appeal messaging and design.
• Track and report on donor acquisition, retention, campaign revenue, and progress toward established goals.

Strengthen donor stewardship

• Cultivate and steward assigned donors and prospects through personalized outreach, acknowledgments, thank-you calls, impact updates, and recognition.
• Manage an assigned donor and prospect portfolio, coordinating cultivation and solicitation strategies with the Director of Development and Communications.
• Identify annual fund donors with potential for increased giving, including gifts of $1,000 or more, and refer major gift opportunities to the Director of Development and Communications.
• Prepare briefing materials for donor meetings and outreach.
• Track and report on portfolio activity, donor retention, giving trends, and stewardship outcomes.

Corporate and Community Partnerships

Cultivate and steward corporate partnerships

• Research and qualify prospective corporate partners and maintain a pipeline of opportunities.
• Cultivate and solicit an assigned portfolio of corporate partners, coordinating strategies with the Director of Development and Communications, who retains responsibility for major corporate relationships.
• Prepare partnership proposals and coordinate opportunities for events, programs, and workplace giving.
• Coordinate fulfillment of partnership commitments, benefits, and recognition.
• Provide impact updates and facilitate partner engagement opportunities, including volunteering and mentor recruitment.
• Manage renewal outreach and track partnership revenue, retention, and opportunities for growth.

Develop community fundraising partnerships

• Support community partners hosting third-party fundraising events, including planning, logistics, promotion, and follow-up.
• Identify and cultivate prospective community partners to expand fundraising opportunities.
• Track and report on community fundraising activities, revenue, and partnership outcomes.

Grant Development and Management

• Support grant initiatives, which may include, but are not limited to, researching funding opportunities, coordinating submissions, and tracking application deadlines and outcomes.

Event Management

• Plan and execute fundraising events from initial planning through post-event evaluation and follow-up.
• Recruit, coordinate, and support event committees and volunteers.
• Develop event budgets in collaboration with leadership and monitor revenue and expenses against established goals. Solicit in-kind donations, auction items, and other event contributions.
• Collaborate with the Communications/Marketing Coordinator on event promotion, communications, and collateral.
• Track and report event outcomes, including revenue, expenses, return on investment, and opportunities for improvement.

Development Operations and Collaboration

• Maintain accurate and timely donor, gift, campaign, and activity records in designated