Development and Communications Manager

ABOUT LIFE LEARNING ACADEMY

Life Learning Academy (LLA) is a Bay Area youth serving nonprofit organization that supports disconnected students and transition-age young adults through a comprehensive range of services, including a public charter high school on San Francisco’s Treasure Island, workforce development opportunities, mental health support, plus housing opportunities for those that need it. Founded over 25 years ago out of the acclaimed Delancey Street model as part of a city-wide redesign of an outdated juvenile justice system, LLA's programs are guided by the core belief that every young person deserves relentless love, accountability, and the chance to make a good life. Today, LLA is the only public school in California to provide no-cost student and alumni housing. For more information about LLA, please visit www.LifeLearningAcademySF.org

POSITION SUMMARY

As LLA prepares for an exciting period of growth, the development department is building a team of fundraising generalists to support department-wide activities. The Development & Communications Manager will be responsible for identifying, securing, and stewarding funding opportunities to support LLA’s mission and goals. This role will be the lead grant writer for the organization, but under the direction of the Development Director will support other departmental activities in alignment with its fund development strategy, which will include the implementation of our communications strategy. Common duties for this role include, but are not limited to, the following: building and maintaining relationships with organizational funders, managing data management systems, drafting grant proposals, managing grant reporting, conducting research to reinforce proposal narratives, preparing donor profiles, assistance with site visits and other events. Internally, the individual in this role will be a liaison to program, finance, and impact departments, proactively managing lines of communication, ensuring LLA delivers the goals, objectives, and activities outlined in private and public funder agreements.

The LLA grants portfolio currently accounts for the vast majority of the organization’s $4.5M budget, including San Francisco’s Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families. Other funders include public sources such as the California Department of Education, Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, and leading regional and national private funders including Tipping Point Community, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Walther Family Foundation and other institutions and individuals interested in housing, education, and youth development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Grant Writing, Reporting, and Management (60%)
• Manage grants pipeline, proactively identifying, evaluating, and writing/soliciting grant opportunities
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate reports for grant funded programs and projects, with support from and collaboration with Programs, Finance, Data, and Executive staff; Manage organization-wide grant reporting calendar
• Work with Program and Impact teams to obtain program data and updates for reports
• Maintain an organized system that can be easily understood across departments for tracking grant deliverables, outcomes, and other requirements
• Align on the strategy for each grant proposal with the Development Director and/or Co-Executive Director

• Donor and Corporate Relations (5%)
• Activate assigned fund development strategies in direct support of revenue goal attainment
• Coordinate logistics of site visits for current and prospective donors and corporate partners
• Execute annual giving and other campaigns, as needed
• Develop sponsorship packages and proposals tailored to corporate partners

• Data System Management (15%)
• Serve as internal expert on donor database
• Maintain the donor database to ensure accurate and comprehensive donor information
• Generate donor thank you letters; update letters annually
• Log all contributions and relevant updates in the donor database
• Manage departmental Google Drive and related files

• Communications (15%)
• Lead the implementation of organization-wide communications strategy
• Write, edit, and distribute content across various platforms, including press releases, newsletters, website content, social media, and annual reports
• Maintain and enhance the organization’s social media profiles and presence
• Promote fundraising-related activities through various communication channels
• Produce newsletters for internal and external audiences
• Monitor, evaluate, and adapt approach based on feedback and system analytics

• Project Management (5%)
• The ideal candidate is willing to collaborate cross functionally and will regularly communicate with Finance, Program, and Impact staff/leadership
• Support the board of directors in their fundraising efforts, as directed

The successful candidate will bring flexibility, patience, and strong project management to the team. In addition, willingness to support other department activities is required.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE QUALIFICATIONS

• Works well in a team and individually
• Flexibility in meeting shifting priorities
• Excellent time management skills
• Demonstrates integrity and accountability
• High-functioning humility, emotional intelligence, and humor
• Open, effective listener, able to connect with a wide variety of people, personalities, and diverse points of view
• Responsible, communicative, and accountable in a hybrid work environment
• Eager to learn and willing to be coached to increase effectiveness, collaboration, and results
• Places high value on engaging in a culture of integrity, service, adaptability, and responsibility

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Expressed interest and commitment to educational equity
• Deadline-driven with strong detail orientation and consistent follow-through
• Prior experience working in a fundraising department
• Grant writing and reporting experience, preferably in education, human service, and/or government areas
• Strong project management and administrative support skills
• Experience working within complex systems, structures, and dynamics
• Working knowledge of best practices and fundraising trends across
• Skilled strategic thinker with the ability to generate original content
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and interest in engaging with youth participants respectfully and through a trauma-informed approach
• Effective facilitation skills to lead and support cross functional initiatives
• Instill a sense of accountability across departments by modeling tight deadline and system/process management
• Basic understanding of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
• Proficiency with social media platforms and digital marketing tools
• Willingness to support department and organization-wide initiative, as needed and in service to the mission
• Proficiency in Google Apps and willingness to learn other platforms; Donor Perfect experience a plus

SALARY, BENEFITS, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT The anticipated starting salary for this full-time position is $70,000 to $80,000 per year (accounting for depth of relevant nonprofit experience). LLA’s benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), free onsite parking, plus free daily lunch prepared by LLA’s culinary program.

Hybrid Work Schedule: This position is required to be onsite three days each week, but has the option to work offsite up to two days weekly. Onsite work will take place at Life Learning Academy on Treasure Island, San Francisco.

HOW TO APPLY As an organization that believes in the power of mentorship and role models, members of historically underrepresented groups and individuals with lived experience that parallels that of LLA students are strongly encouraged to apply. Send (1) a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications, and (2) a resume to kbaker@llasf.org.

LLA is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the School to afford equal employment and advancement opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to: Race; Color; Gender (including gender identity, gender expression, and transgender identity, whether or not the employee is transitioning or has transitioned); Sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to such); Religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices); Marital/registered domestic partner status; Age (forty (40) and over); National origin or ancestry (including native language spoken and possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their presence in the U.S. is authorized by federal law); Physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS); Medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics); Taking of a leave of absence pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), Pregnancy Disability Leave (“PDL”) law, Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”), the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”), or laws related to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; Genetic information; Sexual orientation; Military and veteran status; or Any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. This policy extends to all job applicants and employees and to all aspects of the employment relationship, including the hiring of new employees and the training, transfer, promotion, discipline, termination, compensation and benefits of existing employees.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• San Francisco, CA 94130: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Francisco, CA 94130

Salary : $70,000 - $80,000