Development and Communications Director

Important information for candidates:

You must clearly identify previous financial development experience in order to be considered for the position. Please include specific dollar amounts raised through individual giving, major gifts, and corporate partnerships in your application materials. The Development and Communications Director will have ambitious fundraising goals in order to meet organizational needs. Current annual revenue is approximately $900,000. Our goal is to double this amount in the next 3-5 years. Candidates must be prepared to clearly articulate how you would accomplish this goal.

Communities In Schools of the Twin Cities partners with local schools to provide integrated student support services. We evaluate each school's student population and determine what services are most needed. This can include basic needs support, health/dental resources, tutoring and mentoring, and college/career readiness. We partner with the community to bring these services into our schools. We are seeking a Development and Communications Director to lead fundraising and brand awareness initiatives, oversee donor relations, and enhance organizational sustainability.

SUMMARY

Responsible for developing a comprehensive fundraising, communications and sustainability plan that increases resources and opportunities for future community champions to connect and contribute to the organization’s mission and vision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

â— Provide strategic leadership for the organization’s comprehensive fundraising and development program, including achieving ambitious annual goals for financial and in-kind contributions.

â— Design and implement an integrated development strategy that includes major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, individual giving, events, and digital campaigns.

â— Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, institutional funders, and strategic partners to grow a sustainable base of philanthropic support.

â— Ensure effective development operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality reporting, acknowledgement, and communications to funders and donors.

â— Conduct prospect research strategies to identify high-impact funding opportunities across individual, corporate, foundation, and government sectors.

â— Lead cross-functional efforts to develop the agency’s Annual Report and other strategic communications tools that articulate impact and strengthen donor confidence.

â— Partner with the CEO to prepare strategic fundraising updates, forecasts, and analyses for the Board of Directors.

â— Provide oversight and direction for the agency’s grants portfolio, including identifying prospects, reviewing proposals, and ensuring high-quality submissions and reporting.

â— Develop and implement dynamic communications and marketing materials, primarily for use with fundraising efforts.

â— Serve as lead architect and convener of engaging donor events and community engagement efforts aligned with development goals.

â— Build the internal capacity related to fundraising and communications, aligned with the overall needs of the organization.

â— Ensure effective use of donor management systems and internal tracking tools to ensure donor contacts and engagement records are accurate, timely, accessible, and can act as the basis for informed decision making.

â— Monitor sector trends, funding landscapes, and policy shifts to position the agency for long-term sustainability and leadership within its field.

â— Provide leadership to development and communications consultants and future team members.

â— Develop marketing and promotions collateral related to fundraising or brand awareness campaigns in alignment with national standards, and reflective of the unique impact of the local organization.

â— Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the CEO.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload. Other duties may be assigned by Programming Leadership as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle, feel and keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Bachelor�s degree in resource development, marketing, communications, or related field (Master�s degree preferred)
  
• 5+ years of combined experience in fundraising, communications, and community building & networking
  
• Experience in branding, communication, and/or marketing campaigns
  
• Foundation relationship and grant writing experience
  
• Experience designing, coordinating, and implementing fundraising and brand awareness events
  
• Experience with Board of Directors relations and Board development
  
• Familiarity with Little Green Light or similar fundraising software and tools
  
• Deft knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
  
• Compelling capacity to mobilize teams in supporting fundraising activities, agency events, and annual branding campaigns
  
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills capable of engaging multiple audiences through presentations, website content, social media, and/or speaking engagements.
  
• Possess project management and leadership skills with specific examples of such in work-related experience, be a self-starter, well organized, detail-oriented, and able to effectively work independently
  
• Ability to deal effectively with pressure; remaining optimistic and persistent, even under adversity
  
• Ability to flex work schedule and periodically work evenings and weekends, as needed
  
• Must have a valid driver�s license and automobile insurance.
  

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Candidates must have the ability to:

• Make clear and convincing oral presentations.
  
• Listen effectively.
  
• Provide written communication that is clear, concise, and organized for the intended audience.
  
• Write and edit reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals.
  
• Effectively and passionately present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, and the public, orally and in writing.
  
• Speak effectively to guests, candidates, and employees of the organization.
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The is a hybrid position. Weekly time at our St. Paul office for meetings and collaboration will be required. Regular and satisfactory attendance and punctuality are required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
  
• Health insurance
  
• Paid time off
  
• Retirement plan
  

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Saint Paul, MN 55103