Development and Communications Coordinator

Position Title: Development & Communications Coordinator

Department: Administration

Employment Status: Full-time; non-exempt

Location: Memphis or Jackson

Supervisor: Executive Director

Prepared: September 6, 2024

Job Summary: The Development and Communications Coordinator is the lead for WTLS’ fundraising and communications efforts. They provide strategic direction to WTLS’ fundraising and communications efforts to generate sustainable revenue that allows the organization to pursue its mission, programs, and strategic plan. This position reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Executive Leadership Team.

Duties/Responsibilities:

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

· Develop and secure approval of long-term fundraising plan, including goals, strategies, and tactics consistent with WTLS’ mission, vision, and values.

· Ensure that WTLS’ fundraising resources are deployed in such a way as to sustain and grow the budget over time while maintaining the organization’s programmatic flexibility and accountability to the communities served.

· Establish the correct prioritization between various categories of revenue sources and many strategic choices about what to pursue and how.

· Work with the Finance staff to develop budget projections and guide revenue generation in light of expense planning.

· Develop a comprehensive strategic communications plan, including developing a proactive plan for advancing advocacy goals, enhancing donor communications, and setting up protocols for handling breaking news and crisis communications.

· Develop a local, state, and national press strategy, including promoting in-depth reporting and op-ed placement.

· Provide media training and technical assistance to program staff, clients, and community partners on media strategy and execution of communications plans in furtherance of advocacy campaigns.

· Coordinate development and communications staff to produce written materials highlighting our work, such as annual reports, brochures, e-newsletters, solicitation letters, etc.

· Manage the WTLS website and social media content, including keeping baseline content up-to-date and publishing dynamic content.

· Assist the Executive Director in meetings with key supporters or potential supporters, partner agencies, members of the bar and judiciary, and other persons or entities.

· Coordinate donor and stakeholder events, as necessary.

· Support logistics, planning, and communications as needed, specifically regarding special initiatives and partnerships.

· Participate in staff meetings, board meetings, and other meetings, as requested.

· Participate on internal committees, work groups, and other efforts to promote and improve organizational operations.

· Establish and maintain a professional working relationship with staff by facilitating effective communication, promoting teamwork, and providing support to ensure a collaborative and productive work environment.

· Comply with program policies and regulations of the Legal Services Corporation and other funders.

· Comply with relevant portions of the Legal Services Corporation’s Performance Criteria and the American Bar Association’s Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid.

· Complies with all applicable organizational, professional, and legal requirements for confidentiality.

· Accurately record and update timekeeping entries in real-time, ensuring detailed and precise documentation of work hours, project time allocation, and task completion for reporting and payroll purposes.

· Performs other duties as requested by the Executive Director.

Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job.  

· High school diploma/GED and college or technical school degree.

· Minimum 5 years’ relevant development & communications experience with increasing responsibility and with some supervisory experience (in official capacity as supervisor or substantially similar work without official title).

· Strong commitment to social, economic, and racial justice.

· Outstanding writing, organizational, and leadership skills.

· Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively.

· Reliable personal transportation and willingness to travel statewide occasionally and to WTLS’ other offices frequently.

· Experience working in communities directly impacted by economic and racial injustice, a plus.

· Diverse economic, social, or cultural experiences, a plus.

· Intermediate to expert skills in Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

· Superior oral and written communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners.

· Strong event planning and project management background.

· Meticulous attention to detail.

· Ability to multi-task and shift priorities.

Success Factors: 

• Demonstrate a commitment to the principle of equal justice and to advocacy for low-income persons by actively participating in initiatives and projects that promote access to legal services for low-income individuals, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their voices are heard and respected in all professional activities.
• Treat clients, staff, and the public with dignity and respect.
• Appreciate the experiences and needs of people of diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrate a personal sense of integrity.
• Take ownership of projects and produce solid work products.
• Work as a member of a team and independently including willingness to help others (cooperative) and share knowledge, information, contacts, and experience.
• Address issues in a timely manner.
• Use a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Handle and prioritize multiple, competing demands.

Working Conditions:

· Work during office hours between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A minimum 30-minute break must be taken when at least 6 hours are worked. Work hours must be accurate and contemporaneously recorded. A flextime of work hours may be used, if approved. Your supervisor will consider the needs of the office and the preference of more senior employees before approving flextime. Work after hours or on weekends may be occasionally required.

· Work is performed primarily in an office setting and at outreach sites.

· Pursuant to the current telecommuting agreement, may work up to 2 days per week remotely after completion of 90-day probationary period. The scheduled remote days will be determined upon staffing of the position. The telecommuting schedule may be amended with prior approval of the supervisor on an as needed basis. Requests for an amended schedule are contingent on approval from the supervisor and will be determined on a case-by-case basis given the current unit staffing.

· Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

· Often communicating with people using the phone, email, via video call, or in person.

· Occasionally lift up to 15 pounds.

· Travel within the WTLS service area may be necessary.

Compensation & Benefits:

· Compensation: DOE. The starting salary for this position is $44,458. This position is a full-time position and compensation is made according to the Wage Administration Plan that became effective on August 1, 2007 (as revised on April 22, 2019).

· Benefits: Full-time benefits include the ability to participate in WTLS’ health insurance plan, dental plan, vision plan, LTD, Life Insurance, 401k retirement plan, paid Annual Leave (based on years of employment), paid Sick Leave (12 days per year), paid Holidays (12), and paid week off between Christmas and New Year.

WTLS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $44,458