Development Associate

Perkins School for the Blind; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Wellness program

HRA

FSAs

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Employee recognition program

EAP

Legal services

Referral bonuses

MBTA passes

Job summary

Perkins School for the Blind is seeking a Development Associate to support our fundraising and marketing initiatives. You will coordinate cross‑department projects, draft executive communications, and manage calendars and travel for senior development leaders.

The role requires organized, data‑driven professionals who can translate high‑level goals into actionable plans and smooth daily operations. Experience in nonprofit settings and familiarity with CRMs like Salesforce are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• 1–3 years in development, project coordination, or administrative support.
• Experience in a nonprofit environment is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with fundraising systems and CRMs (e.g., Salesforce) is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison for the CDMO and manage incoming requests.
• Draft and edit talking points, briefing documents, and presentations for leadership.
• Manage scheduling, travel itineraries, and administrative tasks for development leadership.
• Support Board materials and follow-up for meetings with leadership.
• Assist with cross-departmental fundraising initiatives and donor stewardship.

Skills

Communication

Project coordination

Administrative support

Data analysis

Salesforce

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Perkins helps children with disabilities find their place in the world. An international NGO, we are committed to delivering best-in-class education to children, providing immersive training and support to professionals and families, advocating for inclusion, and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities. At Perkins, we think courageously, act collaboratively, and we own our work. Join a supportive community committed to growth where your work makes a difference.What you can expect as our Development AssociateAs our Development Associate, you will play a central role in supporting the efficiency, communication, and execution of our fundraising and marketing strategies. Reporting directly to the Chief Development & Marketing Officer (CDMO) and working closely with the Managing Director of Development (MDD), you will coordinate cross-departmental projects, manage executive communications, and support key donor initiatives.This is an ideal role for an organized, data-aware, and collaborative professional who excels at turning high-level organizational goals into actionable work plans and seamless daily operations.How you will make an impact:Communication, Relationship & Administrative SupportServe as the primary liaison for the CDMO, managing and prioritizing incoming requests to ensure timely responses.Draft and edit compelling talking points, briefing documents, presentations, and correspondence for the CDMO and MDD.Manage meeting scheduling, detailed travel/meeting itineraries, and general administrative needs for development leadership.Board & Stakeholder Liaison:Support the preparation of materials, and follow-up for Board of Trustees and senior leadership meetings, maintaining clear and consistent communication.Represent the CDMO in select meetings when appropriate to maintain momentum on strategic priorities.Strategic Project & Fundraising ManagementAssist with special cross-departmental initiatives, campaign projects, and donor stewardship efforts on behalf of executive leadership.Monitor project milestones to ensure decisions, action items, and departmental deadlines are met consistently.Strategic Planning & ExecutionCoordinate strategic initiatives across Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Planned Giving, and Donor Relations.Help translate overarching organizational goals into clear, measurable work plans for development teams.Facilitate strategic planning sessions and track ongoing departmental progress toward targets.Operations & Workflow OptimizationEvaluate internal team workflows to identify resource efficiencies, process enhancements, and operational best practices.Maintain central team tools, including master calendars, reporting schedules, and performance dashboards.Data, Analytics & ReportingPartner with Development Operations to evaluate fundraising metrics, analyze performance, and identify growth trends.Synthesize data into clean, informative reports and presentations for executive leadership, the Board of Directors, and key funders.Education/Experience:Bachelor’s degree required in Communications, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or a related field.1–3 years of experience in development, project coordination, administrative support, or related roles. Experience in a non-profit environment is preferred.Proven experience organizing complex projects, managing multiple deadlines simultaneously, and coordinating across diverse teams.Comfort working with data analysis and basic reporting tools. Familiarity with fundraising systems and CRMs (e.g., Salesforce) is highly desirable.Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational instincts, discretion, and a proven ability to build positive working relationships across all levels of an organization.The following shared salary range is what Perkins reasonably expects, in good faith, to pay for the position. The applicable range could differ based on experience and qualification.$60,200.00-$85,025.00Perkins offers a comprehensive benefits package for part time and full time employees, including:Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Wellness programs available.Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)Flexible Spending AccountsEmployer-Paid Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance401(k) Plan with employer matchEducation Benefits: Tuition reimbursement day onePaid Time OffExtras: Employee Recognition Programs, EAP, legal services, referral bonuses, credit union access, pre-tax MBTA passes and more!Perkins is a mission-driven community that supports your well-being at work and beyond. We are located in the heart of Watertown, adjacent to the Charles River and less than 1 mile from food & entertainment at Arsenal Yards.Perkins is an equal opportunity employer.