Director of Development & Communications

THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE HIRE

JOB TITLE: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

DEPART./PROG.: Executive Administration – Development & Communications

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

JOB TYPE: Full-time; Exempt; Confidential; Executive Team

JOB LOCATION: Fully Remote; Within contiguous United States. Preferably within the Washington

DC/VA/MD Metro area. Must be available between the hours of 9:00a – 6:00p EST.

Position Overview

As a “department of one”, reporting to the Executive Director (ED), Director of Development & Communications (DDC) will be responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive, strategic fundraising plan and execution of all development, fundraising, and communications activities to support the organization's daily operations, mission, and growth objectives. The DDC will be a key member of the Executive Team and serve as a strategic organizational thought partner for the ED, and the team, actively contribute to operational decision-making, and help inform financial and governance strategies.

The ideal candidate possesses a proven track record in nonprofit and association development and management, strategic fundraising, donor cultivation, and communications, including knowledge of government RFP processes, all with specific experience within organizations in the start-up growth stage. The individual will also have solid experience within the clean energy sector.

The work of the Director of Development & Communications ultimately will enhance our efforts to:

• Develop and launch new programs with a focus on removing barriers to entry and growth for Black businesses in the renewable energy industry.
• Support the entrepreneurial aspirations of professionals.
• Accelerate the deployment of clean technologies to communities of color.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan to secure financial resources for B.O.S.S. to help establish clear pathways to financial sustainability. The plan must prioritize raising funds that allow maximum flexibility and align with the mission, vision, and goals of the organization. The plan must also include target goals, including cultivating individual donors, major donors, corporate sponsors, foundation grants, government grants, and other sources of significant funding. The immediate/short-term fundraising objective is to enable B.O.S.S. to meet its 2025 goal of $1M+. First Deliverable: raise 10-25% by July 31, 2025.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders to advance fundraising goals and strengthen organizational support. Design and implement a major donor program with a minimum $5K threshold and pursue major donor prospects through targeted cultivation strategies. First Deliverable: 2 major donors by July 31, 2025.
• Write, edit, and submit letters of intent, proposals, applications, reports, and other communications to funders and prospect.
• Develop and implement OKRs, KPIs, and other key metrics for fundraising and communications using meaningful data to continually improve practices and inform future revenue goals.
• Research, introduce, manage and leverage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects, such as Salesforce, Network for Good, Raiser’s Edge, YM, CRM and wealth screening tools.
• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive strategic communications plan that aligns with B.O.S.S.’ mission, and membership association vision. Create and maintain a social media and digital content calendar.
• Develop, execute and manage all of the organization’s branding efforts, including design and maintenance of the website, development and production of digital and social media content, written and digital marketing collateral, and other branded materials; Create and implement impactful, thoughtful, engaging, digital campaigns.
• Help shape B.O.S.S.’ online voice by creating a consistent tone and identity across digital platforms.
• Manage B.O.S.S.’ social media accounts, draft content for posts and sponsored content on social media platforms; assemble social media toolkits for external partners; use analytical tools to insert B.O.S.S.’ work into trending news stories and other rapid response opportunities. Field incoming media inquiries and work with the program and Membership teams to successfully feature all active programs and Membership initiatives; Create press releases regarding organizational achievements and announcements, as needed.
• Develop and execute donor marketing and communications efforts, strategies, and protocols for a comprehensive and multifaceted donor communication and messaging plan to support fundraising outreach.
• Create compelling communications materials, including grant proposals, donor appeals, impact reports, newsletters, and marketing collateral, to effectively communicate B.O.S.S.'s mission and impact.
• In collaboration with the team, conceive, plan, budget and manage fundraising, and events in furtherance of strategic plan objectives.
• Work with the Special Assistant to the ED and membership team members to create dynamic engagement opportunities to attract a diverse community of new supporters.

Minimum Qualifications include (but are not limited to):

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, communications, environmental studies, public policy, business administration) required. Advanced degree preferred.
• 7-10 years of management experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, major donor cultivation, and communications, preferably within the clean energy sector.
• 6+ years of experience in successfully prospecting, cultivating and managing relationships with non-profit donors to secure major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grants; proven (successful) grant writing experience.
• Experience developing, implementing, and managing successful development and fundraising strategies, communications strategies, branding, and public relations campaigns.
• Demonstrated exceptional writing, editorial, and verbal communications skills and a proven ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences; Ability to craft compelling donor communications.
• Proven ability to conceptualize and describe funding needs, including the value of investing in clean/renewable energy sources (especially those provided by Black and brown people) in a way that is compelling to prospects, donors, Board, staff, and other stakeholders. Commitment to racial equity, social justice, clean energy, environmental sustainability, and climate justice.
• Proven expertise and success in researching, identifying and applying to government funding sources, as well as ensuring compliance with such grants; Understanding of government bid and procurement portals (e.g. SAM.gov, VIPERS etc.).
• Understanding how to design, use, and edit a website and social media to engage external audiences and guide strategy.
• Experience designing and executing fundraising and donor engagement events.
• Experience designing and executing multi-faceted campaigns involving coordinated media/communications, policy analysis, legislation, and organizing approaches; past experience establishing and strengthening a non-profit brand.
• Ability to synthesize and summarize complicated subject matter into coherent, engaging, concise, factually accurate, and well-written narratives for a variety of audiences across multiple media channels.
• Advanced-level proficiency with solid, measurable experience using and managing Development/Donor management applications.
• Advanced-level proficiency with solid, measurable experience in communications/public relations applications, website content management systems, graphic design (Canva); and email campaign technology (specifically WordPress, HTML Adobe Creative Suite, Cision, Constant Contact), and other software relevant to media & communications (digital and print).
• Advanced-level proficiency with solid, measurable experience in using a variety of software applications, social media platforms, and other databases (e.g. Google Workspace -Gmail, Google Docs, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, MS Office, Adobe, Zoom, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube); AMS/CRM, and membership management software, specifically Your Membership. Familiarity with other applications (e.g., Member Clicks, Salesforce) is highly desirable.
• Membership (in good standing) in the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP); American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) highly desirable; Professional fundraising certification (i.e. CFRE; ACFRE) highly desirable.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the US (Required); Ability to travel throughout the contiguous 48 states as necessary.