Development Manager

 Development Manager, Root, Salem, MA

The Organization: 

Root is a nonprofit social enterprise with a mission to help young adults create a pathway to independence through foodservice training and employment. Founded in 2017 and serving youth aged 16-26 from cities and towns north of Boston, Root focuses on the food service industry as it is permeable and accessible for individuals with varying education levels and backgrounds. By developing essential life and work readiness skills, youth leave Root prepared for success in the workplace. Root has built a Culinary Training Program and an Alumni Employment Program that supports multiple social enterprises, including a Community Catering initiative to address local food insecurity. Root’s vision is to maximize youth opportunity through meaningful, skill-oriented employment, accompanying support services and coaching, and progress toward a living wage and independence. 

To date, Root has graduated 198 youth, generated over $1M in organizational earned income, and prepared over 100K meals for food insecure families and individuals.  Through its enterprises, Root has created more than 50 transitional employment opportunities for young adults and continues to expand.  

Root’s organizational core values include: 

• Youth-First is our “North Star.” As an organization and as a team, Root leads with the interests of youth in our programs and our enterprises.  In order to prioritize young people, we create opportunities for youth to influence and improve our programs and their experience. 
• Hands-on Skill Development Differentiates Our Graduates & Empowers Them. We believe hands-on skill development is the most effective approach to job training.  Providing youth with practical tools through our enterprises empowers them in the face of systemic marginalization. 
• Team Transcends Individual and Collaboration Leverages our Individual Efforts. By working together and with our partners, we believe we serve youth and Root’s mission most effectively. 
• Diversity and Inclusion Strengthen Us.  We acknowledge, respect, and embrace the differences within one another and the communities we serve. 
• Big Success is a Series of Small Wins. We meet youth where they are and celebrate their individual victories as steps on their path to success. 

To learn more about Root, please visit www.rootns.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The  Development Manager will serve a vital role on the Root development team, adding significant capacity by working to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Reporting to the Director of Development, this role works cross-departmentally and interfaces with both internal and external stakeholders. Root is a dynamic, entrepreneurial organization and there is significant opportunity for growth, professional development, and advancement with this role.

The Development Manager role reports directly to the Director of Development and includes administrative, systematic, and creative support of all areas of a development team tasked with raising $1.8M dollars in 2024. The Manager will execute elements of the annual fundraising and communications plans and interact with donors and volunteers on site and at events. The work involves processing gifts, managing the donor database system, assisting with donor cultivation and stewardship, and providing support for organizational events. The Manager will help us reach our fundraising goals and support a strong culture of philanthropy which is essential to sustain and grow our program.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Process all donations to Root and issue prompt receipt/acknowledgement to donors
• Manage donor database (Donor Perfect), including data entry, report designs, and systems updates
• Support development team on special events planning and logistics
• Assist in creating, producing, and sending mailings and email marketing campaigns
• Point of contact for Development & Finance monthly reconciliation
• General Development team office support

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 2-4 years of relevant education, work, or internship experience (e.g. sales, retail management, relationship building, partnership development, or volunteer coordination)
• Technologically savvy with strong database skills 
• Computer skills required: proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and Google Docs
• Excellent attention to detail and solid project management skills
• Able to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Handle private donor information with discretion and confidentiality
• Team player, self-starter, interested in personal and professional growth
• Able to work occasional evenings

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary for this position is $60,000 and includes benefits (medical and dental insurance, 401K, PTO, parking, etc.). This full time position will be performed primarily on-site at Root’s facility in Salem, MA with the opportunity to complete some work remotely. 

TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter outlining how your experience and background meet the requirements of this role to Faith Emerson (femerson@rootns.org). Please include your pronouns and where you heard about the opportunity. We hope to fill this position urgently and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

It is the policy of Root to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, age, physical or mental disability, religion, national origins, marital status, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, political belief or activity, status as a veteran, military service, application for military service, or any other status protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff compensation benefits, social and recreational programs, and all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.