Sport Development Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Development Manager

Reports To: Senior Development Officer

Salary Range: $70,202-$84,226 (DOE)

Job Overview

The Development Manager will play a key role in advancing corporate, foundation, and federal fundraising strategies to support NRPA’s mission. The position will manage a portfolio of funding opportunities, including renewals and new opportunities, and lead proposal development. This position will support NRPA’s strategic direction and contribute to the overall needs of the Programs and Partnerships Department.

Working closely with development, program, and cross-departmental teams, the Development Manager will drive NRPA’s institutional fundraising and contribute to the organization’s multi-million FY27 renewal and new revenue goals.

Ideal candidates bring the ability to quickly understand organizational priorities, identify and pursue funding opportunities, and translate programmatic impact into compelling proposals and partnerships across a range of program areas. Examples of key fundraising areas include Environmental Resilience, Outdoor Recreation, Youth Sports, Intergenerational Connection, and Civic Engagement.

Development

• Manage application lifecycle for renewal and new corporate, foundation, and federal government opportunities, including:

Identify prospective funders and RFP opportunities

Develop collateral, concept papers, letters of interest, proposals, and prospect research materials (lead ~20 submission per year)

Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration with NRPA staff and external coordination with partner organizations to conceptualize a scope of work and budget for fundraising opportunities

Manage internal workflows and oversee successful submission

• Manage data administration and tracking for NRPA’s institutional Development efforts, including tracking forecasted proposals, reports, and strategic conversations, using NRPA’s AMS/CRM and through NRPA’s fundraising meetings and other engagements

• Support donor stewardship strategies, including NRPA’s supporter newsletter, the Park Patron Digest

• Represent NRPA at meetings, conferences, and in-person networking events

• Build and steward partnerships with like-minded organizations, prospective and current donors, and other stakeholders

• Prepare, as required, reports for donors and for internal and external colleagues.

• Cross-promote work internally and collaborate with other NRPA teams

Communications Support

• Responsible for writing and deploying of regular communications including:

• Coordinate and author content for quarterly NRPA Park Patron Digest

• Write and source content for blogs, magazines & newsletters as needed

• Provide regular updates to NRPA website

Customer Service

• Exhibit superior customer service with grantees, members, donors, partners and colleagues

Budget Management

• Support the development of budgets for project proposals and other financial documents as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field required; Masters and/or industry certification, or combination of education/experience equivalent preferred; Minimum of 5-7 years in related field; 3-5 years fundraising specific experience preferred; association and/or P&R experience preferred

• Demonstrated knowledge and strong passion for NRPA priority areas and development

• Strong alignment with NRPA values

• Superior communication (oral, written) to effectively and politely communicate with individuals at all levels, including partners and donors

• Strong research, program management and time management skills

• Interest and willingness in presenting on behalf of NRPA at conferences, meetings

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with little or no direction with attention to details

• Strong team-building skills and a commitment to collaboration

• Ability to think critically, strategically and creatively in problem solving and approaches to program implementation

• Demonstrated knowledge of partnership building and maintenance with both funders and collaborators

• Exhibit quality control of own work and effectively manage competing prioritizes

• Intermediate to advanced experience with Microsoft Office programs and donor management software

• Willing to travel up to 25 days per year to local, state-wide or national conferences, meetings, grantee site visits, etc.