DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

 

Summary Description

The Development & Communications Director is a leadership role responsible for both advancing Borderlands Restoration Network’s mission through the planning, management, and implementation of fundraising operations and strategy as well as raising awareness and building public trust through effective brand management and strategic communications planning to engage and build relationships with constituents, donors, funders, media, and the general public. The ideal candidate will have prior experience managing and growing annual fund programs and campaigns including midlevel giving societies, monthly giving, special events, and major gift fundraising. 

Supervises:  Development Associate, Communications Specialist

Geographic Location: This position is a hybrid/remote position. Candidate must be close enough to Patagonia, AZ for meetings, tours, events, and other needs. 

Pay & Benefits: $60,000-$67,000, based on experience. Employee benefits include employer-paid health insurance for the employee, disability and life insurance, PTO and paid holidays, monthly cell phone stipend, and employee contribution retirement account with company match.  

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Strong supervisory and leadership skills

• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of principles of donor CRM management software

• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate when appropriate

• Ability to function well in a fast-paced environment

• Discretion and excellent judgment in handling sensitive and/or confidential information

Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree or directly related equivalent skills and experience. Minimum of five years of directly related experience in a similar role, including working at a senior level. Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) preferred.
 

Development - 40%

• Grow and execute a multi-channel fundraising program and annual plan including direct mail, online giving, major gifts, giving societies, and planned giving 

• Cultivate and maintain long-term relationships with new and existing donors

• Identify and build relationships with prospective donors

• Together with the Development Associate, ensure high data integrity standards and timely gift acknowledgments through overseeing procedures and proper management of donor CRM system

• Design and execute signature fundraising and donor stewardship events

• Make direct, face-to-face solicitations

• Recruit, train, and support key volunteers to assist in development efforts

• Communicate fundraising goals throughout the organization and equip team members and volunteers to help, creating a culture of philanthropy 

• Generate new ideas that increase revenue, donor loyalty, and retention

• Evaluate and report on program progress to senior management and the board 

• Maintain and create applicable policies for development as needed

• Write or contribute to grants as needed

• Stay abreast of evolving technologies and trends

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Communications - 40%

 

• Maintain organization-wide plans that maintain brand identity and integrity across networks and stakeholders

• Serve as chief editor of organizational materials and communications providing accurate, grammatically correct, error-free communications

• Track and monitor communication KPI’s including engagement, media impressions, email list size/open rates, social media followers, etc.

• Draft communication plans for grants and mentor program staff regarding communication needs

• Maintain and oversee annual communications calendar supporting six program areas 

• Build and track emarketing campaigns with the Communications Specialist for Borderlands Nursery & Seed and BRN

• Provide oversight and serve as primary editor of social media content on three brand channels by working with staff and Communications Specialist

• Oversee the creation of all marketing materials and external facing program materials to ensure brand standards and error-free publications

• Oversee and maintain four organizational websites ensuring error-free and current content

• Serve as editor for all BRN publications and outward-facing communications including enewsletter, print newsletters, brochures, annual reports, blogs, social media, signage, etc.

• Maintain media contacts on the regional, state, and international level

• Draft and distribute media releases and PSA’s while maintaining relationships with reporters and other media outlets

• Manage ad buys and placements 

• Evaluate and report on program progress to senior management and the board

• Stay abreast of evolving technologies and trends

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Administrative & Supervisory Responsibilities- 20%

 

• Recruit, interview, hire, train, and mentor department staff including the Development Associate and Communications Specialist positions

• Onboard and train all BRN staff regarding internal marketing and communications procedures and maintain training materials

• Oversee the workflow and schedules of both Development and Communications programs

• Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations and corrective actions as needed

• Draft and oversee the Development and Communications budget 

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Download the full job description here.

TO APPLY: Submit cover letter and resume in one .pdf with your name in the file name to Rodrigo Sierra Corona at info@borderlandsrestoration.org. Position open until filled. 

Borderlands Restoration Network is an equal opportunity employer that works in the culturally diverse, multinational borderlands. We invite and support strong voices from diverse groups of people to join us as board members, staff members, and volunteers. As an organization, we will consider all applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, economic circumstances, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. For more details on how we practice equity, inclusion, and justice in our work, please click here.