Job Summary 

The official economic development organization of St. Bernard Parish, the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF), is seeking a passionate, articulate, data-oriented candidate to help carry out the organization’s mission of creating and retaining jobs, building prosperity, and improving quality of life in St. Bernard Parish. The Development & Investor Relations Assistant reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is responsible for the planning and execution of all fund development, grant application and reporting, and investor relations tasks.

Roles and Responsibilities

The role of the Development & Investor Relations Assistant will include the following. Please note that this job description is not designed to be a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Being a small nonprofit, SBEDF’s organizational roles are not distinct and will overlap as appropriate.

Development

• Develop a vision and formulate short and long-term plans for the financial sustainability of SBEDF
• Create and manage databases and SOPs for SBEDF of all development activities including how to identify grants, a spreadsheet of grant types, due dates, and status, potential projects in need of funding, investor and donor rosters, and all application materials
• Engage supporters in making introductions and cultivating and soliciting potential new supporters
• Research development best practices among organizations with missions similar to SBEDF’s, with an emphasis on major gifts, corporate, and grant fundraising
• Develop new programmatic partnerships that align with SBEDF’s mission and work streams
• Perform ongoing management and assessment of each partnership, adjusting terms and modifying relationships as necessary
• Work with graphic designer to develop donor-facing marketing materials, including proposals, marketing materials, and other materials, as needed
• Collaborate with a wide variety of stakeholders on multiple projects to support business development, raise organizational awareness, and contribute to workforce development

Grant Writing, Administration and Reporting

• Identify grant funding opportunities for which SBEDF (and strategic partners such as St. Bernard Parish Government, Nunez Community College, and the St. Bernard Port) qualify and work with the appropriate parties to draft application narratives and submit the completed materials
• Draft letters of support, MOUs, and other documents necessary for the organization to propel its work and partners’ efforts forward
• Manage all grant administration and reporting for SBEDF

Investor Relations

• Work with the CEO throughout the year to foster continually improved investor relations, cultivate partnerships, maintain existing investment, and secure new investment each year
• Foster strategic, targeted communications in order to build and expand relationships with all constituencies that contribute to the success of SBEDF
• Maintain and manage prospect and donor records in the OneDrive software system
• Manage SBEDF’s GiveNOLA Day donation system including updating the page, sending content to be posted to social media, following up with board members, and thanking donors and recognizing them on SBEDF’s investors page and in SBEDF’s Annual Review
• Attend networking and community events to develop relationships and positively represent SBEDF
• Ensure all SBEDF donors are receiving stewardship at the level in accordance with their giving, which will be tracked in a spreadsheet
• Identify and create opportunities for donors and funders to engage with SBEDF’s work including programs, investor calls, board meetings, et. al. and send personal invitations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university preferred
• A minimum of 1 year of fundraising, grant writing, or related experience in economic development, private industry, trade associations, and/or public sector or nonprofit organizations preferred but not required
• Ability to work independently and on multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent communications skills: ability to write appropriately for different channels and to individuals at all levels
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work well under deadlines
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office Suite applications and Mac OS
• Demonstrated proactive nature with the ability to prioritize
• Professional demeanor at all times

Requirements, Compensation, and Other Notes

• Applicant must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer
• As a full-time position, the role requires in-office work Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, as well as evening and weekend work as the job duties demand; flexibility and remote work are permitted
• While performing elements of job, candidate is commonly required to travel within the greater New Orleans area – must have reliable transportation
• Salary and fringe benefits are commensurate with experience but start at $40,000
• Unlimited PTO, top of the line MacBook computer, endless opportunities for professional development

If you are looking for a meaningful experience, fast-paced environment, and the opportunity to make a difference with a growing non-profit corporation that believes in community, we’d love to hear from you. If this job description excites you but you aren’t sure if your experience is a 100% match, please reach out. The St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation embraces and celebrates diversity. Women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized or differently abled candidates are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, references, and salary expectations via e-mail to contact@sbedf.org no later than Friday, May 27th. Cover letters must answer the following questions. Why is economic development important to you? What makes St. Bernard a great place for investment? What gives you the most energy in your current work? What about your current work drains you the most? What are your long-term career goals and how does this role help you get there? Please include “Development & Investor Relations Assistant Application” in the email subject line. Once your materials have been received, you will receive a confirmation email.