Director of Engagement and Strategic Communications

Kids Win Missouri is offering a unique opportunity for a dynamic relationship-builder and storyteller to play a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s capacity to support children and families, thereby shaping the future of child well-being in Missouri.

About Kids Win Missouri: Kids Win Missouri is a non-partisan, statewide coalition representing child well-being practitioners, advocates, and parents. Its work spans early childhood development, education, health, child safety, and families' economic security. Formed in 2013 as the Missouri Children’s Leadership Council, the organization has quickly fostered a reputation as a respected and influential voice on policies impacting children and families in Missouri. The organization rebranded as Kids Win Missouri in 2017. Its work in educating policymakers and the public and promoting the well-being of Missouri children has contributed to the creation of the state Office of Childhood, hundreds of millions of dollars of new annual funding for child care and Pre-K education, expanding health care coverage and access for children and families, raising the age of adult prosecution, increasing access to quality early childhood education and protecting and securing additional federal funding for critical children’s programs. An Executive Director and an active Board of Directors lead the organization.
 
About the Position: The Director of Engagement and Strategic Communications will create a major gifts program and develop and implement communication and engagement activities to build the organization’s brand and amplify its impact.
 
This full-time position includes paid vacation, sick days, and health and retirement benefits. The annual salary is $75,000-$85,000. Kids Win Missouri’s offices are located in St. Louis; however, the Director of Engagement and Strategic Communications can be located anywhere in Missouri.
 
The position requires regular overnight travel in Missouri throughout the year and may require occasional out-of-state travel. As travel is necessary for the requirements of the position, the individual selected is expected to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. The physical demands of the position are typically those of a standard office environment but also include working from non-office locations. The position reports to the Executive Director.
 
Responsibilities and Duties
 
Development

• Build and manage internal and external strategies to assist in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts.
• With the executive director, develop an active pipeline of prospects. Participate in an average of 8 personal major donor visits per month for the first year and 12 thereafter.
• With the executive director, develop and implement a solicitation strategy for each assigned major gift prospect. This includes preparing written proposals and other materials needed to secure major gifts.
• Maintain excellent major donor relations through personal contacts, phone calls, email, and letter correspondence.
• Work with the staff, board, and volunteers to develop an ongoing donor cultivation program.
• Work with the current staff to manage all major gift systems, including prospect/donor coding, files, and contact tracking in the donor database.

 Strategic Communications

• Create and implement a public relations strategy that will allow Kids Win Missouri to build its brand and cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, external stakeholders.
• Organize activities and events to support and increase engagement among the organization’s targeted audiences.
• Develop ties and seek partnerships to increase participation in programs and marketing efforts. When needed, serve as a representative of Kids Win Missouri at meetings and events.
• Prepare talking points, speeches, presentations, and other support materials to support the organization’s staff and board members.

Desired Experience, Qualification, and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 3 Years of development experience, preferably in major gifts
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously through effective goal setting, meeting established deadlines, and using time effectively
• Exhibit a strong work ethic and an energetic, influential, and diplomatic work style
• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-energy environment
• Fundraising acumen
• Passion for youth development and community-based organizations

 
Application Information: To apply, please email a cover letter that includes why you are the best candidate for this position and a resume to Abigail Walden at awalden@kidswinmissouri.org. The position will remain open until filled.
 
Kids Win Missouri does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious or political affiliation, disability, veteran status, or any other classification considered discriminatory under applicable law.