Director, Development Strategy and Communications Our Mission Position Summary This position is responsible for developing and executing fundraising operations, donor communications, campaign coordination, stewardship systems, prospect development, and advancement strategies that support both immediate revenue growth and long-term funding sustainability. Working closely with the Chief Development Officer, CEO, and leadership team, the Director will help translate strategy into execution by coordinating campaign activity, donor communications, prospect research, stewardship processes, advancement operations, and fundraising systems. This role serves as an internal point of alignment across annual giving, major gifts, campaign planning, donor pipeline development, and related expansion priorities. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Revenue Growth This position will monitor progress toward measurable goals for revenue, donor acquisition, donor retention, and donor upgrades. The Director will also maintain a master development and campaign calendar that coordinates major gift cultivation, annual fundraising activity, direct mail, digital fundraising, peer-to-peer appeals, donor communications, and targeted initiatives related to sustainability and community impact. Donor Pipeline and Campaign Integration The Director will support donor segmentation strategies that align communications, cultivation, solicitations, and stewardship with donor interests, giving history, and readiness. This role will also coordinate systems that connect Annual Fund supporters with higher-level giving information and opportunities within the Sustainability Campaign. Moves Management and Donor Stewardship The Director will ensure donor touchpoints are intentional, personalized, and tracked within the CRM. This role will also serve as an internal coordinator for development activity, including donor meetings, briefing materials, follow-up actions, stewardship touchpoints, and next steps. Communications, Engagement, and Recognition The Director will help oversee donor societies and recognition programs tied to both annual and campaign contributions. This position will prepare proposals, reports, presentations, and materials to support leadership, campaign committees, board members, and external partners. The Director will also work to ensure cohesive branding and messaging across fundraising platforms in collaboration with marketing and communications teams. Board, Volunteer, Data, Reporting, and Budget Support This position will manage reporting systems to track performance of both the Annual Fund and Sustainability Campaign, generate regular analytics on donor trends, giving patterns, and pipeline development, and oversee related budgets to ensure fiscal accountability and alignment with strategic objectives. Qualifications Education Experience Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Experience with CRM systems, specifically Raiser’s Edge, analytics tools, wealth screening, and prospect research is strongly preferred. The successful candidate must have exceptional communication, relationship-building, organizational, and presentation skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities, support senior leaders, and maintain clarity in a fast-paced and evolving environment. Core Competencies The successful candidate will be: Strategic and operational in thinking Essential Physical Requirements This position requires the ability to remain physically active, mentally alert, and engaged throughout the workday, including standing, walking, sitting, and moving throughout offices, campus spaces, event areas, classrooms, and outdoor areas. The employee must be able to frequently transition between sitting and standing; bend, squat, kneel, reach, twist, and move between areas as needed; lift, carry, or move items up to 40 pounds; assist with event, classroom, or equipment setup as needed; use hands and fingers effectively for typing and other fine motor tasks; see written materials and details at close and far distances; hear and distinguish voices and sounds; and communicate clearly with staff, volunteers, donors, children, families, and community partners. Although this is a leadership and administrative role, the Director must be prepared to step into direct volunteer, classroom, or operational support roles when needed to maintain staffing ratios, ensure child safety, or support organizational operations. This position may require operating a motor vehicle to travel between locations, attend meetings or trainings, or transport materials. A valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and active automobile insurance are required when driving is necessary. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of this position. Additional Eligibility Requirements Background check and fingerprinting are required. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Grace Place values diversity in the workplace and among our partners and stakeholders. It is the policy of Grace Place to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants on the basis of experience, training, education, and ability to perform the available work without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This policy applies to all phases of employment, including recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, workforce reduction, termination, compensation, selection for training, use of facilities, and participation in company-sponsored activities. Employees and applicants shall not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, or retaliation because they have filed a complaint, assisted or participated in an investigation or compliance review, opposed an unlawful employment practice, or exercised any other legal right protected by federal, state, or local law. Disclaimer This job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. |