Development Manager (aka Community Connector + Fundraising Rockstar!)

Are you a relationship-builder who loves connecting people to a powerful mission? We’re looking for a Development Manager who’s ready to lead fundraising efforts that directly support local students across the Eastern Shore. In this externally focused role, you'll cultivate meaningful relationships with corporate partners, foundations, and community leaders to fuel the growth of Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore. From corporate sponsorships and grants to creative fundraising campaigns, you’ll help drive revenue—and impact—through compelling storytelling and strategic engagement.

Title: Development Manager

Area: Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore covers everything from Kent County, MD, to Accomack County, VA—and every community in between. Whether you have connections in a particular town or want to help us expand into new places, we’re looking for passionate friends everywhere to help us make an impact!

Reports to: This position reports to the President and collaborates closely with the Advancement Department, committee members, and internal teams to ensure development efforts align with JAES’s organizational priorities.

Status: Full-Time, Salaried

Impact

Your work will directly support programs that serve over 10,000 students across 9 counties, helping them gain financial confidence, career readiness, and real-world skills. You’ll help ensure JA can continue to grow, stay innovative, and bring meaningful financial literacy and workforce development solutions to the communities we serve. If you're sales-minded, passionate about education, and energized by community connections, we want to meet you!

Primary Responsibilities:

What You’ll Do:

• Manage and grow a portfolio of donors—corporate, foundation, and individual.
• Identify funding opportunities and execute innovative fundraising strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders through stewardship, impact reporting, and personalized outreach.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align funding efforts with program growth.
• Represent JAES at events, networking opportunities, and community gatherings.
• Track donor activity, trends, and financial metrics to meet or exceed revenue goals.
• Support grant writing, reporting, and sponsor recognition activities.
• Serve as a mission ambassador, making sure every partner knows the power of their investment.

Qualifications (required)

What You Bring:
Required:

• Proven experience in fundraising, sales, nonprofit development, or community engagement.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills (you love a good coffee meeting!).
• Strategic mindset with the ability to set and meet ambitious revenue goals.
• Experience managing donor databases or CRMs with accuracy and attention to detail.
• A passion for educational equity and youth empowerment.

Qualifications (desired)

Preferred:

• Familiarity with corporate sponsorships, grant writing, or donor stewardship.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines with a solutions-focused attitude.
• Experience working with boards, leadership teams, or cross-functional staff.
• Knowledge of the Eastern Shore community and its philanthropic landscape.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience in sales, fundraising, nonprofit development, or community engagement.

Application Process

Ready to Join Us?
If you’re excited to use your fundraising skills to create opportunity for the next generation, send your cover letter and resume to Erin Williamson at Erin.williamson@ja.org.

In your cover letter, please answer this question:

“How would you inspire a company to invest in programs that empower local students with real-world skills?”

We can’t wait to hear your ideas—and see how you’ll help us build brighter futures, one relationship at a time.

View Development Manager (aka Community Connector + Fundraising Rockstar!) About Development Manager (aka Community Connector + Fundraising Rockstar!) Position