Development and Communications Manager

Responsibilities

• Development operations and grants - Maintain accurate donor and gift records in Altru; process gifts and acknowledgments in coordination with Finance and established internal controls. - Coordinate donor stewardship materials, recognition commitments, sponsorship tracking, and fulfillment; conduct prospect research at the Development Director’s direction. - Maintain grant opportunity, application, and reporting calendars; gather attachments and coordinate financial and program inputs with the responsible staff. - Research and prepare routine grant applications for existing or approved work using established program information and approved budgets. - Help prepare more complex proposals and grant reports through research, drafting, document collection, and deadline management under the direction of the Development Director. Editorial planning and storytelling - Maintain an editorial calendar and coordinate communications requests, production schedules, approvals, and deadlines across departments. - Interview staff, participants, educators, donors, and partners; write and edit stories, program descriptions, news releases, talking points, newsletters, and other materials. - Gather and organize photographs, video, quotes, permissions, and other assets; produce content directly and coordinate freelance or vendor work when needed. - Translate complex program and project information into accurate, accessible language for specific audiences; check facts with the staff who own the underlying work. Channels and campaigns - Update and improve website content, including program, school, giving, and organizational pages; coordinate technical website needs with the appropriate vendor or staff owner. - Create and schedule email and social media communications; monitor comments and inquiries and route substantive questions to the right team. - Design or coordinate digital and print pieces such as brochures, event materials, presentations, annual report content, campus signage, kiosk materials, merchandise graphics, and recruitment resources. - Develop communications plans for program launches, school and educator outreach, fundraising campaigns, events, and the second campus in partnership with the responsible directors. - Coordinate advertising placement, creative production, community outreach materials, and event tabling; support media relations through approved releases, interviews, and responses. Campaigns and Events - Manage production schedules and logistics for fundraising campaigns and events such as Marblegate, Homecoming, Plein Air Smokies, and Giving Tuesday; coordinate vendors, registrations, materials, and event communications. - Track assigned project budgets, deadlines, deliverables, and follow-up with the Development Director and other event leads. - Partner with program teams on audience needs and recruitment materials - Use website, email, social, and campaign data to report results and recommend practical improvements; maintain organized files, brand standards, and repeatable production processes. - Support timely organizational announcements and sensitive communications as assigned, following the approval path set by the Development Director and CEO.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in communications, development operations, nonprofit administration, or related work; approximately three or more years of relevant experience is helpful, and equivalent experience is welcome.
• Excellent writing, editing, interviewing, proofreading, and judgment, with the ability to preserve both accuracy and a warm, direct voice.
• Experience managing several projects and deadlines at once, with strong attention to detail in records, budgets, schedules, and follow-through.
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; experience with a donor CRM, website content management, email marketing, social publishing, analytics, and Canva or Adobe tools is valuable.
• Ability to work respectfully with people of different backgrounds and represent stories with consent and care.

Preferred

• Interest in environmental education, the Smokies, or community based nonprofit work; direct subject matter expertise is welcome but not required.
• Experience with grant administration or writing, donor stewardship, event coordination, Altru, photography, or short video is welcome.