Organizational Description:
Founded in 1925, Steep Rock Association, Inc. is a nationally accredited, nonprofit land trust committed to conserving ecologically and historically significant landscapes in and around Washington, CT, while fostering community connection to nature through outreach, education, and recreation.
Position Description:
The Development Officer plays a pivotal role in supporting Steep Rock’s development office by managing operational functions, driving donor engagement, and executing digital marketing initiatives as our land trust celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025 with an historic Centennial major gifts initiative while growing a well-established annual fund. Reporting to the Development Director, this position manages all CRM-related activities, including records management, gift processing, reporting, analytics, process optimization, and training staff on CRM usage to ensure effective adoption. The Development Officer also stewards donors, building meaningful connections to support long-term philanthropic growth, and collaborates on marketing efforts to expand outreach and highlight the impact of Steep Rock’s initiatives.
Responsibilities:
Donor Relations (25%):
● In coordination with the Development Director, solicit, steward and cultivate donors and local community business sponsors to strengthen and optimize the pipeline toward major gifts.
● Utilizing various wealth assessment platforms, enhance donor profiles with giving history, capacity, personal interests, communication preferences, and connections; identify new prospects and assess giving capacity; and support strategic cultivation and outreach efforts to expand the potential donor base for Steep Rock’s initiatives.
Data Management (25%):
● Lead data entry procedures, coding standards, gift entry, receipting, and acknowledgment processes to ensure the work is donor-focused, timely, and complies with IRS regulations.
● Lead ad-hoc and large-scale data cleanup efforts as needed.
● Qualify and track new data flowing into the CRM from events, online sign-ups, donations, and staff entries to ensure accuracy and relevance.
● Oversee and refine automated transactional data flow into Bloomerang from diverse sources, ensuring seamless, reliable, and accurately mapped integration.
● Develop a digital library of policies in collaboration with the Development Director.
Reports (30%):
● Ensure the accuracy of gift, donor, and analytical reports including gift reports, fundraising reports, performance metrics tracking, prospect management reports, and mailing and email lists.
● Generate and analyze comprehensive reports to identify giving patterns, trends, and opportunities for donor engagement, retention, and growth.
● Collaborate with the Development Director on donor segmentation analysis to assess the effectiveness of targeted outreach efforts based on data-driven insights.
● Track and manage grants within the CRM, ensuring awareness of submission deadlines and adherence to reporting requirements.
Marketing (10%):
● Build upon and execute digital marketing efforts, including email campaigns, remarketing, SEO, and content marketing in collaboration with the Development Director to enhance donor engagement, expand awareness, and achieve fundraising goals.
● Create compelling content for social media, newsletters (print/electronic), and website that highlights the impact of initiatives, donor stories, and successes to foster engagement and amplify campaign messaging.
● Regularly update marketing collateral (print/electronic) as well as development campaigns on the website to keep information current
Administrative Support: (10%)
● Coordinate volunteer efforts on development-related projects
● Provide logistical and administrative support for donor events
● Provide administrative support on capital campaigns, special projects, legacy giving, as needed.
Our Development Officer should have…
● 2–4 years of hands-on experience managing donor data and CRM systems (Bloomerang a plus) or similar platforms, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel and Google Sheets required) and Google Workspace.
● A strong technology foundation, with expertise in leveraging the latest tools and technology in nonprofit fundraising
● Experience with automation and data analytics tools, including Zapier, Google Analytics, and Meta Insights, preferred.
● Exemplary attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills
● Excellent interpersonal, organizational and written / oral communication skills.
● Ability to work occasional nights and weekends for special events.
● Commitment to Steep Rock’s mission, land conservation, and outdoor recreation
● Bachelor’s degree preferred
Hours & Compensation:
Salary: $60,000-65,000 per year. Full-time (40-hr week) exempt position based in New Preston, CT, with hybrid work possible upon approval. Upon eligibility, benefits include generous PTO, 3% retirement match, employer-paid health insurance, optional dental/vision, and CT Paid Family Medical Leave.
Ready to Be Part of our Team?
Ready to make a difference in land conservation? To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to info@steeprockassoc.org with “Development Officer Application” in the subject line. Position open until filled, available immediately.
Working with Steep Rock Association
Steep Rock Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer that acts in accordance with laws applicable to employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. SRA offers a collaborative, team-oriented work environment, in which a cooperative spirit and ability to work with other staff, trustees, and volunteers are highly valued.
