Development officer

About the Role

Matt Furness Engineering is seeking a seasoned Development Officer to lead and expand our fundraising and business development initiatives from our La Crosse, WI headquarters. This is a unique and high-impact opportunity to shape the growth trajectory of a respected engineering firm by cultivating meaningful relationships with clients, community stakeholders, public agencies, and private partners. As a senior member of our team, you will serve as a strategic connector — bridging our technical capabilities with the funding opportunities and partnerships that drive transformative infrastructure and engineering projects forward.

In this role, you will work closely with firm leadership, project managers, and technical staff to identify, pursue, and secure funding streams including grants, public-private partnerships, and philanthropic contributions that support our project portfolio and community mission. Your work will have a direct and visible impact on the communities we serve across the region, helping to bring critical engineering solutions to life. Whether collaborating with municipal clients on infrastructure funding or engaging with foundations on community-benefit initiatives, your efforts will be central to the firm's continued success and growth.

This position offers a flexible remote or hybrid work arrangement, allowing you to balance strategic relationship-building in the field with focused development work from wherever you are most productive. If you are a driven, relationship-oriented professional with a passion for engineering's role in building better communities, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising and business development strategy aligned with the firm's growth goals and project pipeline.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities from federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as private foundations relevant to infrastructure and engineering projects.
• Build and steward long-term relationships with clients, municipal partners, funding agencies, and community stakeholders to advance project development opportunities.
• Prepare compelling grant applications, funding proposals, sponsorship packages, and donor communications that clearly articulate project impact and engineering value.
• Collaborate with project managers and technical leads to understand project scopes, budgets, and community outcomes for accurate and persuasive proposal development.
• Track and manage a portfolio of active funding prospects, submissions, and awards using CRM tools and reporting dashboards.
• Represent Matt Furness Engineering at industry events, public meetings, professional conferences, and community engagement forums.
• Monitor emerging funding programs, legislative developments, and infrastructure investment trends (e.g., IIJA/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) that may create new opportunities for the firm.
• Coordinate with firm leadership on strategic planning, client engagement initiatives, and annual development goals and metrics.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Development, Communications, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in fundraising, grant writing, development, or business development — preferably within an engineering, architecture, construction, or public infrastructure context.
• Demonstrated success in securing significant grant awards or funding commitments from public or private sources.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple proposals and funding pursuits simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with government agencies, municipal clients, or nonprofit funding organizations.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and project tracking tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with AEC industry project delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and P3 frameworks.
• Experience navigating federal infrastructure funding programs such as RAISE grants, SRF programs, CDBG, or similar initiatives.
• CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) or comparable professional certification.
• Existing relationships with regional municipalities, county governments, or economic development organizations in Wisconsin or the Upper Midwest.
• Experience with public outreach, community engagement, or stakeholder facilitation in support of capital projects.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience, including performance-based incentives tied to development success.
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage to support your overall well-being.
• 401(k) retirement plan to help you build long-term financial security.
• Flexible remote or hybrid work arrangement, offering work-life balance while staying connected to our La Crosse, WI team and regional partners.
• A collaborative, mission-driven culture where your contributions are recognized and your professional growth is actively supported.
• Opportunities for continued professional development, including conference attendance, certification support, and engagement with industry organizations.