PROGRAM: Administration

HRS PER WK / WKS PER YR: 40 / 52

POSITION CLASSIFICATION: EXEMPT / Permanent / Full-Time

Northeast Kingdom Community Action, Inc. (NEKCA) is dedicated to creating resilient households and sustainable communities, and to advancing social, economic and climate justice. The Director of Development and Communication is responsible for overseeing all development activities to raise funds required to support NEKCA’s broad range of anti-poverty programs. This position has leadership responsibility for developing and successfully executing a comprehensive individual, corporate, and foundation giving strategy including annual, major gift, planned giving, and capital. They are responsible for grant writing and relationship building with foundations, individual philanthropists, and are responsible for both annual and long-term financial goals of the department. In addition, this director is responsible for developing and executing regular donor communications, including an annual report. This position will oversee the development and implementation of communications, marketing and branding strategies, including public and media relations, publications, website and social media.

GENERAL

• Demonstrate competency in all five areas of NEKCAs Core Values. Demonstrate respect for all NEKCA clients, the choices they make and the challenges they face.
• Work closely with Executive Director and Senior Mangement Team to advance Agency mission and goals.
• Work to instill a culture of accountability and responsibility throughout the agency.

DEVELOPMENT

Strategy and Management

• Work closely with the Executive Director to create and execute annual and long-term fundraising plans to increase donations and grants from individuals, privately-owned businesses, corporations and foundations.
• Set and meet annual goals for private philanthropic support by working in partnership with the Executive Director.
• Ensure that all donations are recorded, appropriately acknowledged in a timely manner, and properly stewarded.
• Monitor and report on fundraising progress on a regular basis to Senior Management Team and Board.
• Design and execute sophisticated branding and marketing strategies that are cohesive and consistent across NEKCA to tell the story of NEKCA’s mission and impact.
• Develop and manage the annual and long-term development department’s budget.
• Work closely with the Strategy & Operations Specialist and the Data Support Specialist to ensure data is collected that helps make a compelling case for support and aligns with Development’s short- and long-term objectives.
• Provide supervision and oversight to the Strategy & Operations Specialist and the Data Support Specialist in areas including training, support and supervision, performance evaluation, and employee relations in accordance with NEKCA’s policies and procedures.

Major Gifts and Giving

• Establish and foster relationships throughout Vermont’s philanthropic community and beyond.
• Engage and solicit prospective donors for major gifts.
• Maintain donor acknowledgement systems, including drafting thank you letters and managing personalized thank you processes for high level donors.
• Steward, support and track all cultivation and solicitation assignments for the staff and Board of Directors.
• Develop and execute annual fundraising campaign.
• Develop and implement a planned giving program.

Foundation Relations

• Identify grant opportunities and coordinate grant application processes to ensure timely submission, success and reporting as required by grantor.

New Donor Acquisition

• Research, cultivate and solicit prospects to grow NEKCA’s donor base for capital, major gift, annual giving and in-kind campaigns.

COMMUNICATION

• Develop cohesive marketing and communication of the strategic plan, agency outcomes, annual report, and donor outreach.
• Lead team to oversee all marketing and communications for the agency.
• Maintain website and social media.

OTHER

• Manage other responsibilities as appropriate or as assigned by the Executive Director.

• Must comply with NEKCA policies if hired.
• Staff will be required to authorize and pass NEKCA’s criminal record check process and DMV record check.
• Reliable transportation, valid Vermont driver's license and proof of insurance.
• High sense of integrity, particularly with regard to maintaining confidentiality of donor records and properly stewarding gifts.
• Demonstrated organizational, managerial, interpersonal, fundraising and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated experience and success in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts from individuals and organizations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience and expertise in grant writing.
• Strong computer skills and database management skills and knowledge required.
• Ability to work both as a member of a team and independently.
• Commitment to the mission of advancing social and economic justice.
• Bachelor’s degree with additional professional development training in fundraising.
• 5 years or more of fund development and supervisory experience preferred.
• Capital campaign, marketing and public relations experience preferred.
• Experience establishing the development function within an organization preferred.
• Comfortable and proficient in working in a fast-paced environment.

___________________________________________________________________________________

NEKCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer & Provider

All new and rehired employees and all current employees who have transferred or been promoted to a new position will be placed on a 6-month Trial Service Period.

All NEKCA staff contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.