Development Specialist - Panhandle PBS

Summary

At Amarillo College, our mission is: Transforming lives through learning, creating opportunities for student success, and nurturing prosperity for the Texas Panhandle. Every team member, regardless of job title or duties, is responsible first and foremost, for assisting students in every way.

This is an exciting time to work for Amarillo College! We are seeking our next Part-Time Development Specialist who will be all-in on our mission and who builds and supports relationships with businesses, community organizations, foundations, and individual donors to expand Panhandle PBS’s prospect base and generate financial support through corporate underwriting, sponsorships, major gifts, individual giving, community partnerships, and other philanthropic opportunities. This position conducts prospect research and outreach, initiates conversations, coordinates follow-up, assists with proposals and presentations, and supports the cultivation and solicitation of prospective supporters.
Serving as a front-line representative of Panhandle PBS, the Development Specialist helps move prospective supporters from initial awareness and engagement toward meaningful and sustained investment in the station’s mission. The position works closely with the Panhandle PBS development team and other station staff to coordinate outreach, maintain accurate relationship records, and provide professional and consistent donor and sponsor stewardship. Success in this role requires strong relationship-building and communication skills, professionalism, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple development activities and relationships simultaneously.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Required: Associate’s Degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Non-profit Management, Sales, or a related field.

Preferred: Experience or coursework related to fundraising, development, sales, business development, public media, non-profit management, or community engagement.

EXPERIENCE

Required: One (1) year of experience in fundraising, business development, sales, marketing, public relations, advertising, community relations, customer relations, or related field.

Preferred:

• Previous non-profit, public media, higher education, or community relations experience.
• Experience developing relationships with businesses, donors, sponsors, or community organizations.
• Experience with fundraising, corporate sponsorship, underwriting, major gifts, or sales.
• Experience with donor management, CRM platforms, or fundraising databases.
• Experience preparing proposals, presentations, correspondence, or sponsorship materials.
• Knowledge of the Texas Panhandle business and non-profit community.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Research and identify prospective businesses, organizations, foundations, individual donors, and community partners to expand Panhandle PBS’s development opportunities and prospect base.
• Conduct prospecting, outreach, introductory conversations, cultivation meetings, follow-up calls, correspondence, and other relationship-development activities with prospective sponsors and donors.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with businesses, community leaders, non-profit organizations, foundations, donors, and other community partners to identify opportunities for financial support and community engagement.
• Assist with identifying and developing opportunities for corporate underwriting, sponsorships, major gifts, event support, and other forms of philanthropic and financial support.
• Prepare customized sponsorship and underwriting proposals, presentations, correspondence, reports, and other development materials based on the needs and interests of prospective partners.
• Support cultivation and solicitation activities by preparing materials, coordinating meetings, documenting interactions, and following up on development opportunities.
• Support underwriting and sponsorship account development, renewal, and ongoing relationship management.
• Coordinate sponsor recognition, benefits, fulfilment, and related documentation to ensure commitments are met and partnerships are appropriately supported.
• Assist with the cultivation and stewardship of selected major-gift prospects and donors through timely communication, follow-up, recognition, and relationship management.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of prospect and donor interactions, contact information, commitments, proposals, follow-up activities, and next steps in the station’s donor management or CRM system.
• Assist with tracking development goals, activity, commitments, and revenue opportunities to support fundraising planning and progress.
• Support Panhandle PBS fundraising campaigns, donor events, community events, and other development initiatives.
• Represent Panhandle PBS professionally at business functions, networking events, community meetings, donor gatherings, and station activities.
• Collaborate with programming, marketing, communications, membership, leadership, and other station staff to identify opportunities for community engagement, sponsorship, and financial support.
• Provide excellent customer service and professional communication to donors, sponsors, volunteers, community partners, and the public.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate discretion when handling donor, prospect, and other sensitive information.
• May coordinate volunteers or project support as needed.

• Perform other work-related duties as required.
• As an Amarillo College employee, seek knowledge of and pledge to actively engage in a culture of caring, striving to serve students, peers, and the community by embracing the AC Core Values: Integrity, Curiosity, Accountability, Relevance, and Engagement!

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of fundraising, relationship development, sponsorship, sales, customer service, or community engagement principles.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, networking, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to initiate conversations and establish productive, professional relationships with prospective donors, sponsors, business leaders, community partners, and the public.
• Ability to communicate professionally and persuasively in both written and verbal formats.
• Ability to research prospective supporters and identify potential funding, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple prospects, projects, deadlines, and follow-up activities.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records, documentation, and relationship information.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality when handling donor, prospect, and organizational information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn and effectively use donor management, customer relationship management (CRM), fundraising, and reporting systems.
• Knowledge of Panhandle PBS, public media, Amarillo College, and the Texas Panhandle community is preferred.

Salary: Amarillo College follows a lag pay strategy, with starting offers typically between the minimum and midpoint of the pay grade, rarely reaching the maximum to support long-term growth within each position.

Pay grade 6 Amarillo College Pay Grades (salary is determined by Human Resources based on education, work experience and internal comparisons).
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to communicate effectively, travel between offices and community locations, and occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, or move materials weighing up to (25) pounds.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in both office and community settings. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support fundraising events, sponsorship activities, community outreach, and special projects.

Working Environment: This position operates in a professional office environment and regularly interacts with businesses, community organizations, donors, sponsors, and the public. Work may be performed independently or collaboratively and involves frequent communication and relationship-building activities.

Notice of Background: Applicants selected for employment will be required to undergo a pre-employment criminal history background check and possibly a pre-employment drug test.

Promotional Opportunity Policy: Under the Amarillo College Promotional Opportunity Policy, only current appointed or part-time non-appointed employees will be considered for a position during the first five (5) working days from notice or posting.
Amarillo College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.