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Development & communications associate skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Bu Zhong Ph.D.,

Dr. Bu Zhong Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical development & communications associate skills. We ranked the top skills for development & communications associates based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.1% of development & communications associate resumes contained data entry as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a development & communications associate needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 development & communications associate skills for your resume and career

1. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how development & communications associates use data entry:

Managed database and completed data entry;.
Performed Millennium data entry, developed, edited, and produced communications, reports and presentation materials for internal and external audiences

2. Community Outreach

Here's how development & communications associates use community outreach:

Developed and implemented a strategic community outreach plan to support 16 domestic and international sites.
Produced original content for marketing and community outreach programs.

3. Community Development

Community development refers to the process where community members are being supported by agencies to identify or take collective action on issues that are important to them.

Here's how development & communications associates use community development:

Budget manage and reconciliation for Community Development department.
Assisted with the Community Development Block Grant funded programs, Community Paint Works and Project Brush Up

4. Donor Relations

Here's how development & communications associates use donor relations:

Used DonorPerfect to manage 6,500 constituent database, cultivating fundraising opportunities and improving donor relations.
Encouraged and facilitated cooperation and collaboration between the Foundation and Financial Aid office to manage Foundation scholarship activity and donor relations.

5. Event Planning

Here's how development & communications associates use event planning:

Educate community about global issues affecting our Projects through event planning and implementation.
Assisted with public relations and special-event planning for Scripps and Birch Aquarium.

6. Blog Posts

Blog post refers to information that you write on a blog. It can include content in the form of text, photos, infographics, or videos.

Here's how development & communications associates use blog posts:

Compiled additional written articles and blog posts for biweekly digital newsletter.
Interviewed executives and leading scientists to develop blog posts to position NFSTC as a thought leader in the industry.

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7. Press Releases

Here's how development & communications associates use press releases:

Developed messaging for internal and external materials, including speeches, press releases and media advisories.
Created contact list for upcoming press releases, reviewed, and composed press releases.

8. Alumni

Alumni is a term used for graduate students of a school, college, university, or any other educational institution. The term is also used for employees of a company or a previous member of a group or an organization that has been retired. Alumni represent the institutions or organizations that they were previously associated with.

Here's how development & communications associates use alumni:

Communicated alumni benefit information and policies and procedures to Cleveland Clinic alumni and staff
Conducted research of university development/alumni websites to benchmark Jefferson s alumni website.

9. External Communications

External communications refer to the exchange of information between the organization one is working with and another organization.

Here's how development & communications associates use external communications:

Managed internal communications on behalf of the Department as well as external communications to donors in online and in print.
Accomplished Communications Specialist tasked with the responsibility of assisting with the implementation of both internal and external communications programs and projects.

10. Facebook

Here's how development & communications associates use facebook:

Managed all Doorways' online presence (home page, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, news outlets, etc.)
Generated 7% increase in Facebook likes and 23% increase in Twitter followers.

11. Twitter

Here's how development & communications associates use twitter:

Assisted in management of corporate Twitter and Facebook accounts to support integrated positioning and promote seasonal brand initiatives with celebrity partners.
Conduct market research; Assist in targeted media outreach Conducted a comprehensive twitter demographics self-directed and suggested project.

12. Fact Sheets

A fact sheet is a short, typed or handwritten one-page document that contains the most important information about a specific topic, product, substance, or service in the least amount of space. The aim is to convey key facts and points on a topic in a clear, concise, and easily understandable way and to communicate the most relevant information effectively.

Here's how development & communications associates use fact sheets:

Analyzed confidential state documents and wrote fact sheets for Senate Government Oversight Committee investigations
Collected data for veterinary college clinical service fact sheets.

13. Donor Database

Donor database refers to the system or central hub that nonprofits use to store the information they have about their contacts.

Here's how development & communications associates use donor database:

Created and maintained donor database (Raiser's Edge).
Managed donor databases, process donations and prepare acknowledgement letters and other correspondence.

14. Salesforce

Salesforce is an American cloud-based software company based in San Francisco, California. This company provides customer relationship management services that enable the customers to be closer to the company. It gives the company detailed information about each customer, including marketing, sales, commerce, and services. Salesforce also helps market a product to attract more buyers, and helps win more customers by targeting the right audience.

Here's how development & communications associates use salesforce:

Led transition of company donor management system from Excel spreadsheets to Salesforce in order to increase efficiency and productivity.
Maintained database (Salesforce) with accurate up-to-date records on all gifts and responses.

15. Development Projects

Development Projects include all contracts, constructions, and projects that may develop an area for housing or commercial construction. These projects frequently require multiple departments to prepare the space for construction projects, including how the construction will take place, who will finance the project, and whether any refurbishments or renovations will be needed.

Here's how development & communications associates use development projects:

Facilitated financing for real estate development projects in the form of credit facilities, equity, mezzanine, and permanent loans.
Researched and planned efforts for current and prospect development projects.

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What skills help Development & Communications Associates find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on development & communications associate resumes?

Dr. Bu Zhong Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Pennsylvania State University

Content curation - Selecting content from social media and news reports and reorganize it by providing added value, and then share it with different audiences (e.g., your bosses, colleagues, customers, or social media followers, depending on the purposes of content curation). The key is providing added values to the selected content, rather than simply sharing it like regular social media users.

What hard/technical skills are most important for development & communications associates?

Dr. Bu Zhong Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Pennsylvania State University

Data analyzing - learning some basics about statistics and using the skills to process data created by citizens, institutes, or governments.

What soft skills should all development & communications associates possess?

Bob Martin

Assistant Dean for Internships and Career Placement, Pennsylvania State University

I am not sure I would classify writing skills as a soft skill, but I would certainly put it at the top of the list of skills necessary for all up-and-coming communications professionals regardless of their career focus. The ability to work in teams under deadline, adaptability, leadership, emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills are critical soft skills that communications professionals must possess.

What development & communications associate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Jacqui Lowman Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University of Maine at Presque Isle

If people need to take gap years, I would recommend that they continue to work on their communication skills. Read and write/create content for a wide range of audiences. Continue to learn and use technology. Look for opportunities to demonstrate leadership. And work on self-confidence. Volunteering for nonprofits that could use their help would be excellent. Those are great on resumes, will build skills, and the students will feel amazing helping others with their skills.

What type of skills will young development & communications associates need?

Dr. Sarah Smith-Frigerio

Assistant Professor, Columbus State University

In Public Relations-and Communication more broadly-strong verbal and written communication skills remain the most important skills young professionals need as they enter the workforce. I always recommend that students focus on honing their writing skills across multiple platforms as they work to complete their degree programs. Flexibility, problem-solving, and decision-making skills become increasingly important as young professionals advance in their careers.

What technical skills for a development & communications associate stand out to employers?

Jeremy Backstrom Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Widener University

With international relations, there are certain skillsets that should be highlighted. First, a proficiency in a foreign language remains a key skill that is always in demand. While the pandemic confined most of the world's population to their homes or to small groups, this has not halted international interactions and it seems that we are now even more interconnected through technology. Therefore, communication is key and the language tools to communicate are ever important. This provides a good segue into the second skillset...

Second, the ability to communicate in an effective written prose will always be in demand; however, many students often overlook this essential skillset in their toolbox. No matter what the future academic or professional goals and endeavors, the ability to write and even more the ability to write effectively is absolutely essential.

Third, critical thinking and analytical skills are a significant feature and asset with any degree in social sciences including international relations. The ability to demonstrate analytical reasoning, communication skills, research and data analysis are attributes that have always been and will continue to be sought after despite the pandemic. Moreover, these are technical skillsets that can be showcased during the pandemic with much of the work conducted remotely.

Do you want to know more?

List of development & communications associate skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a development & communications associate resume and required skills for a development & communications associate to have include:

Data Entry
Community Outreach
Community Development
Donor Relations
Event Planning
Blog Posts
Press Releases
Alumni
External Communications
Facebook
Twitter

Fact Sheets
Donor Database
Salesforce
Development Projects
Community Events
Financial Reports
Community Organizations
YouTube
Promotional Materials
Linkedin
Event Management

Community Engagement
Volunteer Recruitment
Fundraising Campaigns
Media Management
Capital Campaign
Technical Assistance
Event Logistics
Communication Materials
Market Research
Government Agencies

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Development & Communications Associate Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

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