Development and Communications Specialist

Degree Required: Bachelor’s Degree

Experience Required: 1–3 years of relevant experience

Location: Newark, New Jersey (Hybrid schedule)

Type of Employment: Full-Time, Exempt

Compensation: $60,000-$65,000 (commensurate with experience) with a comprehensive benefits package

Position Overview

Sanar is seeking a Development and Communications Specialist to support and execute core fundraising, outreach, and communications strategies that advance organizational growth and visibility. This role is ideal for an early-career professional who is highly organized, proactive, and skilled in both relationship-building and content creation. This is a newly created position, offering an opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping Sanar’s development and communications efforts. The Specialist will report to the Co-CEO and will contribute to building and refining systems, strengthening external partnerships, and supporting the continued growth of the organization’s fundraising program and visibility.

The Specialist will work cross-functionally with program and leadership teams to support grant development, donor engagement, communications, and external relations. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple deadlines, and comfort engaging externally to build partnerships and brand presence.

This position will require you to work in-office in Newark or at events/meetings throughout New Jersey a minimum of 1 days per week, maximum of 4 days per week. The ability and willingness to commute to Newark and to travel throughout New Jersey is essential.

Essential Responsibilities

Development & Fundraising

• Support grant development efforts, including drafting, editing, and coordinating proposals and reports in collaboration with program and leadership staff
• Contribute to annual fund strategies, including donor acquisition, engagement, and stewardship efforts
• Assist in the planning and execution of direct mail, events, and other fundraising campaigns
• Conduct corporate outreach and prospect research to help build and strengthen a pipeline of partners and sponsors
• Ensure timely and thoughtful donor stewardship, including gift processing, acknowledgments, and ongoing cultivation

Communications

• Develop and distribute fundraising and organizational communications, including email campaigns and donor updates
• Create compelling impact content such as newsletters, program spotlights, and reports that highlight organizational work and outcomes
• Manage and maintain communications strategies for Sanar’s training programs, including recruitment and stewardship of training audiences
• Manage and maintain the organizational communications calendar, ensuring alignment across programs and campaigns
• Oversee website content and updates and ensure consistency in branding and messaging across platforms
• Support and execute social media strategy, including content creation, scheduling, and audience engagement to expand visibility

CRM & Data Management

• Support the development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of a centralized CRM system
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donors, partners, and community contacts
• Support with registrations for training programs including basic troubleshooting with training audiences
• Utilize data tracking to support reporting, donor engagement strategies, and organizational decision-making

Outreach & External Engagement

• Represent Sanar at community events, networking opportunities, conferences, and outreach activities (includes some required local travel and possible occasional national travel)
• Support event planning and execution, including logistics, communications, and follow-up
• Assist with board engagement and ambassadorship efforts, including preparing materials and supporting relationship management

Required Professional Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• 1–3 years of experience in development, communications, marketing, or nonprofit operations (internships included)
• Alignment with Sanar’s mission, vision, and values including a passion for serving individuals and communities impacted by traumatic violence
• Strong writing and editing skills across multiple formats (emails, grants, social media, reports)
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Comfort with external engagement, networking, and relationship-building
• Experience with or willingness to learn CRM systems and data tracking
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with email marketing and social media platforms
• Basic design skills (e.g., Canva or similar tools)
• Alignment with Sanar’s mission, vision, and values

About the Sanar Institute

Sanar, meaning “to heal” in Spanish, is dedicated to healing individuals and communities impacted by traumatic violence. Sanar is recognized as an international leader in fostering resilience through evidence-based, community-led, and lived experience-driven approaches. Sanar has two key programs:

1. Sanar’s Wellness Center provides trauma-specific mental health services to individuals impacted by human trafficking, sexual violence, domestic violence, and technology-based sexual violence.
2. Sanar’s Thrive Initiative educates multidisciplinary stakeholders and supports trauma-exposed professionals locally, nationally, and globally.

At Sanar, we believe healing is a human right and work to ensure all individuals and communities have access to trauma-conscious care.

Sanar offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance plans with an option to elect a plan that is 100% paid by Sanar, 401k with 4% match from Sanar, life insurance, CEU reimbursement, parking/commuting reimbursement, quarterly wellness days, weekly paid time to access mental health and wellness care, in addition to a generous paid time off program with 15 days in the first year of employment and 13 paid holidays. Sanar also offers hybrid scheduling, a supportive work environment that encourages professional and personal development, a commitment to self-care and convenient headquarters located in Newark, New Jersey near Penn Station.

To Apply

Please upload a resume and cover letter, including salary requirements.

Sanar offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance plans with an option to elect a plan that is 100% paid by Sanar, 401k with 4% match from Sanar, life insurance, CEU reimbursement, parking/commuting reimbursement, quarterly wellness days, weekly paid time to access mental health and wellness care, in addition to a generous paid time off program with 15 days in the first year of employment and 13 paid holidays. Sanar also offers hybrid scheduling, a supportive work environment that encourages professional and personal development, a commitment to self-care and convenient headquarters located in Newark, New Jersey near Penn Station.

Sanar offers a $1,500 increase to base-salary for employees who are bilingual/multilingual.