Community Development Manager Jobs in Appleton, WI

Description

Now Hiring:  Development Manager - Community Engagement & Events 

Unity is seeking a dynamic and community-focused Development Manager - Community Engagement to lead events, sponsorships, promotions, and external engagement efforts that strengthen community visibility, donor acquisition, and integrated revenue growth across philanthropy and the Unity Resale Shoppes.  The shoppes are a significant revenue source for Unity. This role helps build community partnerships, volunteer engagement, sponsorship opportunities, and promotional activities that strengthen the success of both locations.

Reporting to the Director of Development, this role serves as a key connector between fundraising, community engagement, and retail initiatives. The position is responsible for planning and executing fundraising and community events, developing sponsorship and partnership opportunities, coordinating promotional campaigns, and strengthening the connection between retail engagement and philanthropy.   

This role plays a critical part in expanding Unity's visibility throughout the community while helping build meaningful relationships with sponsors, volunteers, businesses, community groups, and new donors. The ideal candidate is energetic, highly organized, externally focused, and passionate about community engagement, relationship-building, and mission-driven growth.

Success in this role includes:

• Securing sponsorship support for Unity fundraising events. 
• Leading multiple fundraising events annually from concept through execution. 
• Developing and maintaining relationships with business and community leaders. 
• Recruiting and engaging volunteers and community partners. 
• Supporting promotional initiatives that increase visibility, volunteer engagement,      and revenue for Unity's resale shoppes. 
• Achieving fundraising, sponsorship, participation, and engagement goals.

Location:
This is a hybrid position. Physical office will be at Unity Resale Shoppe - East | 1302 S Broadway, De Pere.

Schedule:
This is a full time, salaried position with flexibility in schedule between 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, with occasional flexibility for evenings or weekends.

What We're Looking For:

An energetic, relationship-oriented, and highly collaborative individual with a passion for connecting people to meaningful causes. You thrive in community settings, enjoy building partnerships, and bring creativity and initiative to your work. You are organized, adaptable, and comfortable balancing logistics, relationship management, promotions, and public-facing engagement efforts in a fast-paced environment.

What You'll Do:

Events & Revenue Activation

Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of fundraising, stewardship, retail, and community engagement events. 

Develop event strategies that support donor acquisition, sponsorship growth, community visibility, and revenue goals. 

Coordinate event logistics, vendor relationships, timelines, volunteer engagement, and post-event follow-up. 

Evaluate event performance and identify opportunities for growth, improvement, and increased engagement. 

Sponsorships & Community Partnerships

Develop and manage corporate sponsorship and community partnership opportunities. 

Cultivate relationships with businesses, civic organizations, volunteer groups, and community partners. 

Coordinate sponsorship fulfillment, recognition, and stewardship activities. 

Identify opportunities to strengthen Unity's visibility and community presence. 

Promotions & Retail Integration

Lead promotional and community engagement efforts that connect Unity Resale Shoppes and philanthropy initiatives. 

Coordinate shoppe promotions calendars, sales campaigns, and community-facing initiatives in collaboration with shop leadership. 

Support integrated messaging and brand visibility across events, promotions, and community engagement activities. 

Collaborate with shop leadership to implement campaigns, promotions, and customer engagement strategies. 

Donor Acquisition & Engagement

Support donor acquisition and engagement strategies through events, partnerships, promotions, and community outreach. 

Identify opportunities to strengthen retail-to-philanthropy donor conversion and engagement. 

Serve as a liaison for third-party fundraising and community-led initiatives benefiting Unity. 

Support volunteer and community group engagement connected to events and promotions. 

Collaboration & Organizational Engagement

Work collaboratively with Development, Retail, Volunteer Services, and Marketing partners to strengthen community engagement efforts. 

Maintain accurate tracking and reporting related to sponsorships, events, and engagement initiatives. 

Support consistent brand presentation and mission visibility across community-facing activities. 

Partner with the Development Manager - Philanthropy to support integrated donor engagement and stewardship strategies.

Why Unity Resale Shoppe?

Every shift you work helps fund compassionate care and support services for patients and families in our community. This is more than a job - it's a chance to make a real, meaningful impact!

Ready to join our team? Apply today and help us extend Unity's mission through outstanding resale service.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Strong event planning, organizational, and project management skills. 

Excellent interpersonal, networking, and communication skills, both written and verbal. 

Ability to build relationships and engage effectively with sponsors, volunteers, community partners, and staff at all levels of the organization. 

Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects in a fast-paced environment. 

Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and follow-through. 

Creative, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to identify engagement and growth opportunities. 

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively across departments and teams. 

Strong customer service, professionalism, and community engagement orientation. 

Comfortable representing Unity in public and community settings. 

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, social media platforms, and CRM systems. 

Commitment to collaboration, accountability, and Unity's mission and values.

Must be willing to travel.

What you'll bring:

1. Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Business, or other related fields required.

2. Minimum of 3 years of experience organizing successful special events

3. Minimum of 3 years of relationship management   experience, including establishing and growing relationships with a proven   track record of meeting or exceeding annual revenue targets

4. Demonstrated success in soliciting gifts in the $1,000 to $9,999 range

5. Competency and proficiency in the use of computers, including knowledge of databases, spreadsheets, word processing, social   media, and email

6. Experience using fundraising database programs, preferably Raiser's Edge NXT an asset

7. Experience with Planned Giving is an asset

8. Valid WI Drivers' License, reliable transportation, and poof of current automobile insurance coverage