Director of Development and Communications at North East Kingdom Community Action

Saint Johnsbury, Vermont, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

17 Mar, 26

Salary

78000.0

Posted On

17 Dec, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Fundraising, Communications, Strategic Planning, Financial Management, Interpersonal Skills, Problem-Solving, Collaboration, Decision-Making, Leadership, Marketing, Community Engagement, Grant Writing, Data Analysis, Public Relations, Digital Marketing, Team Management

Industry

Description

Description Job Title: Director of Development and Communications Department: Administration - Senior Management FLSA Status: Exempt Hours/Weeks: Full Year, Full Time Bargaining Unit Position: (Y/N): No Level: 7 Hiring Range: $70,000-$78,000 NEKCA Mission Statement: To empower all generations in the Northeast Kingdom to grow, prosper, and thrive. SUMMARY: The Director of Development & Communications leads NEKCA’s fundraising and communications strategies with the goal of growing a strong community of supporters who are partners in funding and advocating for a Northeast Kingdom where all generations can grow, prosper, and thrive. This position plans and develops consistent and impactful touchpoints with external stakeholders throughout the year, building community trust and implementing marketing strategies that help meet agency fundraising goals, primarily charitable giving, but can include program enrollment, anti-poverty advocacy, and more. This position has a strong focus on fundraising and is responsible for raising the resources that are needed to fund NEKCA’s vision. The Director supervises the development team, serves as a member of the organization’s senior management team, and oversees all strategy related to development and external communications. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Develop and execute a successful fundraising plan Identify funding needs, pursue new opportunities and revenue streams, and design campaigns for major gifts, grants, and annual giving as well as capital funds Organize and manage a fundraising strategy to plan outreach to existing and prospective donors in order to solicit financial support Oversee town and municipal funding strategy and requests, ensuring strong relationships with local officials Oversee donor recognition process Build and maintain strong donor relationships with individuals, corporate partners, businesses, and foundations through engagement, recognition, and stewardship Provide detailed input and projections for the annual fundraising budgeting process and provide reports as needed to the Board, the Executive Director and others on progress toward budgetary goals Measure and analyze donor data and trends, and recommend approaches for donor cultivation and revenue growth Lead external-facing communications and marketing outreach efforts Oversee the design, production, and distribution of NEKCA’s marketing materials, publications, and digital communications, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, brand consistency, and effective communication of the organization's story Oversee media relations, press releases, and crisis communications Manage agency website content and social media strategies to enhance public awareness and engagement Monitor news and trends affecting NEKCA’s program areas, preparing timely communication strategies and talking points Participate as a member of the senior management team Attend local and regional events as a NEKCA representative to prospect for new partnerships and deepen existing ones, and support and/or attend NEKCA events as needed Work collaboratively and transparently with program staff to communicate about NEKCA's offerings and to develop shared solutions to resource challenges Advise Directors and Program staff on best practices for community-centered fundraising LEADERSHIP QUALITIES: Visionary Thinking: Leaders need to be able to articulate a clear vision for the organization and translate that vision into actionable goals. Strategic Planning: Leaders must be able to develop and implement long-term plans, considering both the short and long-term goals of the organization. Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial for conveying the organization's vision, inspiring staff, and engaging with stakeholders. Decision-Making: Leaders need to make timely and informed decisions, considering the impact on the organization. Financial Management: Leaders must have a strong understanding of financial matters and be able to manage budgets, track expenditures, and secure funding. Interpersonal Skills: Building relationships with staff, board members, volunteers, and the wider community is essential for success. Problem-Solving: Leaders need to be able to identify and address challenges effectively, both within the organization and externally. Motivating and Inspiring: Leaders must inspire their team and stakeholders to work towards a shared goal. Collaboration: Leaders need to be able to work collaboratively with the board, staff, and other stakeholders. Integrity and Ethics: Honesty and ethical behavior are essential for building trust and maintaining credibility. Adaptability: Leaders need to be able to adapt to changing circumstances and navigate complex situations. Resilience: Leaders need to be able to handle setbacks and challenges with resilience and a positive attitude. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead a work culture that fosters NEKCA’s Core Values in your work environment. Develop a clear vision for the team's work and align it with NEKCA's mission and strategic goals. Recruit, interview, hire, and train new staff. Ensure timely and accurate time entries for all staff. Ensure timely and accurate submission of invoices, employee reimbursements, staffing changes, and credit card receipt submission. Review and approve transactions in a timely manner. Directly provides support and supervision of staff and programmatic guidelines, policies and procedures. Conducts annual written evaluations of all staff that assess performance. Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with NEKCA policy. Facilitates professional development, training, and certification activities to ensure best practices. Initiates appropriate action plans to ensure staff work in a safe working environment. Actively listen to employees and stakeholders to address their concerns and input while leading staff to self-reflect and develop goals. Provide constructive feedback and coaching to help employees grow and succeed. Lead teams through periods of change and uncertainty. Ability to make decisions and solve problems. Manage budgets and resources efficiently while ensuring financial sustainability. Collaborate and integrate across programs and departments. Build and maintain relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and funders. Understanding grant requirements and maintaining accurate files and records accordingly. Ensure that NEKCA adheres to all applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards. Utilize reflective practices in support of staff as they work with participants. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Solicit individual donors face-to-face Commitment to staying informed about the changing philanthropy landscapes to keep pace with emergent practices High level of discretion in handling confidential donor information Manage digital fundraising strategies and online giving platforms Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and ethical standards in fundraising practice Create and maintain written fundraising policies and procedures that align with organizational values, and governance structures Coordinate grant writing, submission, and reporting processes as needed Ensure reporting and recognitions meet donor/audit grant requirements Manage relationships with consultants and vendors as needed Participate in intra-agency efforts to promote cooperation and communication with other NEKCA programs including team building activities Some travel within NEKCA’s service area and statewide, and occasional regional and national travel, is required Attend and participate in staff, agency, and service provider meetings deemed necessary for job performance Core Competencies: Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Must be able to maintain good relations with participants, other staff, and members of the community. Must have knowledge of basic computer skills and record keeping, including spreadsheet applications. Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and database management systems. This position is considered a mandated reporter. Must be responsible, self-motivated, self-initiated, may need to work flexible hours (program dependent). Demonstrate positive problem-solving skills in stressful situations. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team. Demonstrate familiarity with, and sensitivity to the challenges faced by low-income individuals, and some knowledge of the community and available resources to address them. Maintain confidentiality. Complete all required trainings and professional development. Core Values: Demonstrate competency in all five areas of NEKCA’s Core Values. Empower individuals to recognize and utilize their potential for growth and positive change. Build and maintain strong relationships with the local community. Involve community members in the organization's initiatives and decision-making processes. Uphold ethical standards in all interactions with participants and the community. Participate in self-reflection and self-care practices to prevent burnout. Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional codes of conduct. Maintain participant confidentiality and ensure participant safety. Use clear, respectful, and professional language and behavior when communicating with participants, colleagues, and other service providers. Demonstrate a genuine understanding of and care for the needs and feelings of participants or service users. In person attendance required during scheduled hours as defined by your supervisor. Be respectful and sensitive to participants’ unique situations and challenges. Represent NEKCA in public and advocate for its mission. WORKING CONDITIONS: Employees in this position work primarily in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. The work involves sitting for extended periods of time, using a computer and other office equipment, and may require occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Position has occasional bending, stooping, or reaching for items. Standing or moving around the office area. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. ___________________________________________________________________________ NEKCA is a proud equal-opportunity employer. We work diligently to recruit a broad pool of candidates and to hire and promote qualified individuals whose personal experiences, characteristics, and talents reasonably reflect the diversity of the communities served by NEKCA. Our equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We encourage applications from women, minority groups, veterans, and people with disabilities. Qualifications for positions within NEKCA are determined by the duties and responsibilities of the position itself. Requirements Education and Experience: BA (preferred) 5-10 relevant experience (required) Proven record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals Background Checks: Employees in this role are required to undergo a background check in accordance with NEKCA policy, which may include verifying education, employment history, criminal background and driving records. Transportation Requirements: This position requires that employees possess a valid driver's license, favorable driving record results and have access to dependable transportation.

Responsibilities

The Director of Development & Communications is responsible for leading NEKCA’s fundraising and communications strategies to build a strong community of supporters. This includes developing fundraising plans, managing donor relationships, and overseeing external communications.