Development and Communications Manager

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont; Townsend (TN); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is seeking a Development and Communications Manager in Townsend, TN. This full-time role oversees donor and grant administration, crafts communications, and coordinates campaigns and fundraising events at Tremont.

The position supports programs and partnerships with a focus on accurate records and compelling storytelling. The role reports to the Development Director and involves collaborating with various teams to grow Tremont’s fundraising impact while

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in communications, development operations, nonprofit administration, or related work.
• Excellent writing, editing, interviewing, proofreading, and judgment, with a warm, direct voice.
• Experience managing several projects and deadlines with strong attention to records, budgets, schedules, and follow-through.

Responsibilities

• Maintain donor and gift records in Altru; process gifts and acknowledgments with Finance and internal controls.
• Coordinate donor stewardship materials, sponsorship tracking, and grant calendars; support research for proposals.
• Write and edit stories, program descriptions, press materials, newsletters, and talking points across channels.

Skills

Communications

Development operations

Nonprofit administration

Editing

Donor relations

Project management

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Canva

Adobe tools

Donor CRM

Job description

Salary Range: $45,000.00 To $45,000.00 Annually

Position Development and Communications Manager

Reports to Development Director

Location Townsend, Tennessee w/ hybrid optional

Schedule Regular full time; occasional evenings or weekends for programs and events

About Tremont

For more than 55 years, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont has connected people of

all ages to nature through immersive outdoor education in Great Smoky Mountains National

Park. As Tremont enters an exciting new chapter—including expanded programming, a growing

regional impact, and development of a second campus—we are seeking a talented, creative professional

to help bring our story to life while strengthening the systems that support our fundraising and

Purpose of the position

The Development and Communications Manager keeps Tremont’s fundraising and communications work organized and moving. Reporting to the Development Director, this person manages day-to-day donor and grant administration, creates clear and engaging communications, and coordinates campaigns and fundraising events. The role combines accurate records and careful follow-through with strong writing, design, and creative storytelling. It works closely with colleagues who lead the programs, partnerships, and donor relationships behind the work.

Development operations and grants

• Maintain accurate donor and gift records in Altru; process gifts and acknowledgments in coordination with Finance and established internal controls.
• Coordinate donor stewardship materials, recognition commitments, sponsorship tracking, and fulfillment; conduct prospect research at the Development Director’s direction.
• Maintain grant opportunity, application, and reporting calendars; gather attachments and coordinate financial and program inputs with the responsible staff.
• Research and prepare routine grant applications for existing or approved work using established program information and approved budgets.
• Help prepare more complex proposals and grant reports through research, drafting, document collection, and deadline management under the direction of the Development Director.

Editorial planning and storytelling

• Maintain an editorial calendar and coordinate communications requests, production schedules, approvals, and deadlines across departments.
• Interview staff, participants, educators, donors, and partners; write and edit stories, program descriptions, news releases, talking points, newsletters, and other materials.
• Gather and organize photographs, video, quotes, permissions, and other assets; produce content directly and coordinate freelance or vendor work when needed.
• Translate complex program and project information into accurate, accessible language for specific audiences; check facts with the staff who own the underlying work.

Channels and campaigns

• Update and improve website content, including program, school, giving, and organizational pages; coordinate technical website needs with the appropriate vendor or staff owner.
• Create and schedule email and social media communications; monitor comments and inquiries and route substantive questions to the right team.
• Design or coordinate digital and print pieces such as brochures, event materials, presentations, annual report content, campus signage, kiosk materials, merchandise graphics, and recruitment resources.
• Develop communications plans for program launches, school and educator outreach, fundraising campaigns, events, and the second campus in partnership with the responsible directors.
• Coordinate advertising placement, creative production, community outreach materials, and event tabling; support media relations through approved releases, interviews, and responses.

Campaigns and Events

• Manage production schedules and logistics for fundraising campaigns and events such as Marblegate, Homecoming, Plein Air Smokies, and Giving Tuesday; coordinate vendors, registrations, materials, and event communications.
• Track assigned project budgets, deadlines, deliverables, and follow-up with the Development Director and other event leads.
• Partner with program teams on audience needs and recruitment materials
• Use website, email, social, and campaign data to report results and recommend practical improvements; maintain organized files, brand standards, and repeatable production processes.
• Support timely organizational announcements and sensitive communications as assigned, following the approval path set by the Development Director and CEO.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in communications, development operations, nonprofit administration, or related work; approximately three or more years of relevant experience is helpful, and equivalent experience is welcome.
• Excellent writing, editing, interviewing, proofreading, and judgment, with the ability to preserve both accuracy and a warm, direct voice.
• Experience managing several projects and deadlines at once, with strong attention to detail in records, budgets, schedules, and follow-through.
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; experience with a donor CRM, website content management, email marketing, social publishing, analytics, and Canva or Adobe tools is valuable.
• Experience with grant administration or writing, donor stewardship, event coordination, Altru, photography, or short video is welcome.
• Ability to work respectfully with people of different backgrounds and represent stories with consent and care.
• Interest in environmental education, the Smokies, or community based nonprofit work; direct subject matter expertise is welcome but not required.

Working conditions

The position includes computer based work, meetings, and occasional visits to outdoor program sites in varying weather and terrain. Some event and program coverage occurs outside a standard weekday schedule. Tremont will consider reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees.

Tremont Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences and will provide reasonable accommodations in the application process.