Director of Development and Communications

Position:          Director of Development and Communications
Reports to:       Executive Director
FLSA:               Exempt
Hours:              Full-time, 40 hours per week
                        Mon-Fri, occasional evening or weekend work, as needed
Rate:                $75,000-$85,000 annually, based on experience; health benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan option, four PTO days usable at start, two weeks of vacation accrued during first year, increases to three weeks at year two, plus paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
 
Position Summary:
 
This position is responsible for raising funds and mobilizing public support for a healthy, local food system. The Director of Development and Communications works in collaboration with the Executive Director, the leadership team, the Board of Directors and our staff to accomplish the goals of the organization. 
 
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
 
Leadership Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Executive Director (ED), Director of Finance & Administration, and the Board of Directors to chart the organization’s future growth and strategic decisions.
• Serve on the staff Leadership Team (Directors Team) which provides analysis and develops actions on key issues, makes recommendations and provides reports to the Board of Directors, and supports the Executive Director on high level policies, issues, and concerns as needed.
• Lead the development and communications team in planning, implementation, and evaluation of fundraising and communications activities. The team includes two direct reports (the Development Manager and the Communications Manager) and a Community Engagement Specialist, whose responsibilities include various communications and grant activities, the Executive Director, and occasional short-term interns.
• Recruit, train, and engage volunteers for the annual Midtown Hoedown event, staff the board-level Development and Communications Committee, and any other short-term committees involved in fundraising. Provide staff leadership and support to maximize committee effectiveness and productivity.
• Participate in other organizational committees as assigned/volunteered for.

• Lead the design and execution of development plans on an annual basis in partnership with the staff and leadership teams.
• Identify, cultivate, and deliver significant gifts from a diverse base of supporters (individuals, corporations, foundations, government) working in collaboration with the ED and Board.
• Lead on development and management of our annual Dig In! and Midtown Hoedown fundraising events. 
• Communicate regularly on progress towards goals and work with the ED, the Director of Finance and Administration, the staff, and the Board of Directors to ensure revenue and fundraising targets are met.

• Bi-monthly newsletters and as-needed email updates;
• website and social media account management;
• design work, planning and event management for development-driven events; and  
• general phone and email inquiries, including media requests;

• 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, development, sales, or non-profit administration;
• A proven track record of raising funds from a variety of sources including but not limited to individual giving, corporate giving, sponsorships, and grants with an emphasis on soliciting mid-level and major individual giving;
• Skills at cultivating individual donor relationships by identifying donor priorities and matching to organization mission;
• Extensive experience planning and executing fundraiser events;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on building relationships;
• Experience developing and implementing strategy;
• Knowledge of donor database software (Salesforce preferred);
• The ability to consistently meet deadlines and motivate others to do so in a collaborative environment; and
• A high-level attention to detail.

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent education;
• Familiarity with charitable giving in the Kansas City region; and
• Familiarity with Kansas City’s food system, or the desire to learn.

• Collaborate,
• Care for each other, our work, and our community,
• Promote a healthy balance between our work and our personal lives,
• Are adaptive, creative, open to learning,
• Take time for organizational self-reflection,
• Practice transparency with each other and with those we serve,
• Agree that food systems work should be fun and bring joy to ourselves and our communities.