Development Associate Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More (2023)

A development associate is a professional who works with organizations to secure funding and donations. They may work directly with donors or they may focus on building relationships with potential donors through networking events, phone calls, emails, etc.

Development Associate Job Duties

Development associates typically have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Coordinating with other team members to ensure that projects are completed on time
• Reviewing designs to ensure that they meet safety codes and regulations
• Reviewing designs for energy efficiency and sustainability features
• Developing construction schedules and budgets based on designs provided by architects or engineers
• Working with contractors to ensure that construction plans are followed properly
• Communicating with clients about project status and making sure that they are satisfied with the progress of their project
• Coordinating the hiring of subcontractors for specific tasks such as plumbing or electrical work
• Working with engineers to ensure that designs meet technical specifications for construction materials
• Coordinating with architects to ensure that designs meet zoning requirements and other legal requirements

Development Associate Salary & Outlook

The salary of a development associate can vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and location of the organization.

• Median Annual Salary: $52,500 ($25.24/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $112,000 ($53.85/hour)

The employment of development associates is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Demand for real estate developers will continue to increase as the population grows and people move to cities. Developers will be needed to build housing, retail establishments, and other types of commercial real estate projects in these areas.

Development Associate Job Requirements

A development associate typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: Most employers require development associates to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as communications, marketing or business. Some employers may hire candidates who have a related associate degree or who have relevant work experience instead of a bachelor’s degree.

Training & Experience: Many development associates will receive on-the-job training from their new employer. This training will help the development associate learn the specific procedures and processes of the organization. The development associate may also receive training in the use of the organization’s software and computer systems.

Certifications & Licenses: Certifications can prove an individual’s qualifications to current and future employers. Development associates can earn certifications to gain more theoretical and practical knowledge of their responsibilities, test their professional skills and advance their careers.

Development Associate Skills

Development associates need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication skills: Communication skills are also important for development associates. They use these skills to communicate with clients, colleagues and other professionals. They also use these skills to convey ideas and information in their written work.

Technical skills: Technical skills are the abilities you have with technology and software. This can include knowledge of software programs, how to use databases and how to create and manage websites. Many development associates work with technology to create and manage websites, emails and social media accounts.

Leadership skills: Leadership skills can help you advance in your career as an associate. Leadership skills can help you motivate your team, delegate tasks and encourage others to work hard. Leadership skills can also help you advance in your career by allowing you to take on more responsibility and advance to a managerial role.

Problem-solving skills: Problem-solving skills are essential for success in finance and business. You may be responsible for finding solutions to financial problems, such as finding ways to pay for new equipment or finding ways to make payroll. You may also be responsible for finding solutions to business problems, such as finding ways to increase sales or finding ways to improve customer service.

Organizational skills: Organization skills can help you manage multiple projects at once. As a development associate, you may be responsible for managing a specific campaign or project. Having strong organizational skills can help you keep track of all the details and deadlines for each project.

Development Associate Work Environment

Development associates work in a variety of settings, including corporate offices, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. They typically work regular business hours, although they may occasionally work evenings and weekends to attend events or meet deadlines. Development associates typically work on teams with other development staff, such as directors of development, annual giving officers, and major gifts officers. They may also interact with volunteers, board members, and donors. Because they work in the philanthropic sector, development associates must have a strong commitment to the organization’s mission and be able to articulate the organization’s case for support. They must also be able to work independently and be self-motivated to meet fundraising goals.

Development Associate Trends

Here are three trends influencing how development associates work. Development associates will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for More Technical Skills

The need for more technical skills is a trend that is being driven by the increasing complexity of business. In order to be successful, employees will need to have a deeper understanding of technology and how it can be used to improve efficiency and productivity.

Development associates are in a unique position to take advantage of this trend, as they are often responsible for developing and maintaining software systems. By learning how to code and develop new technologies, they can become invaluable assets to their company.

More Focus on Agile Development

As businesses continue to move towards agile development methods, there will be an increased focus on the role of the development associate.

Agile development focuses on quickly creating and testing prototypes, which requires a team that is well-versed in both design and programming. As a result, development associates will need to be able to work quickly and efficiently in order to meet the needs of their clients.

A Greater Emphasis on User Experience (UX) Design

User experience (UX) design has become increasingly important in recent years as businesses have come to realize that a good user experience can lead to greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.

As a result, businesses are now looking for professionals with expertise in UX design who can help create products and services that are easy to use and understand. This means that those who are interested in becoming UX designers should focus on developing strong communication and collaboration skills, as well as a deep understanding of human behavior.

How to Become a Development Associate

A career in development is a great way to make a difference in the world. It’s also a field that offers many opportunities for growth and change. As you progress in your career, you may want to specialize in a particular area, such as fundraising or grant writing. You may also want to move into management or become a director of development.

No matter what stage you’re at in your career, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in development. Read industry publications, attend conferences and workshops, and network with other professionals.

Advancement Prospects

Development associates typically start out working in an entry-level position, providing support to the development team. As they gain experience and knowledge, they may be promoted to a senior development associate or a development officer position. In these roles, they would be responsible for leading and managing fundraising campaigns, developing relationships with donors, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the development office.

Those who are interested in pursuing a management position may want to get a master’s degree in business administration or nonprofit management. Those who want to specialize in a particular area of fundraising, such as grant writing or planned giving, may want to get a certificate in that area.

Development Associate Job Description Example

The Development Associate is responsible for providing support to the Development team in all aspects of fundraising. This includes but is not limited to: donor research, grant writing, database maintenance, and stewardship. The Development Associate will also be responsible for assisting with the planning and execution of special events. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years of experience in fundraising, grant writing, or a related field. They must be highly organized, detail oriented, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills. They must also be able to work independently and be a self-starter.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prospect for new individual, corporate, and foundation donors through research, networking, and other means
• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and potential donors through personal visits, events, phone calls, emails, and other communications
• Write compelling proposals and grant applications to secure funding from foundations and other grant-making institutions
• Work with the Development Manager to develop and implement annual fundraising plans and strategies
• Help plan and execute special fundraising events, including galas, concerts, and other cultivation and stewardship events
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in the development database
• Prepare regular reports on fundraising activities and progress towards goals for the Development Manager and other members of the senior staff
• Assist with the creation and distribution of e-newsletters, print newsletters, and other marketing and communications materials
• Serve as a liaison to one or more of the organization’s programmatic departments, staying apprised of programmatic needs and developments and sharing this information with potential donors
• Represent the organization at community events and meetings, when needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• 1-3 years of experience in fundraising, sales, or customer service
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Flexibility and adaptability, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience with donor databases, preferably Raiser’s Edge
• Grant writing experience
• Event planning experience
• Marketing or graphic design experience

Similar Jobs

• Database Administrator
• Development Officer
• Director of Development
• Membership Coordinator
• Major Gifts Officer