Director of Development and Communications for a Local MEMPHIS NonProfit

The Director of Development & Communications plays a pivotal role in enhancing our organization’s financial sustainability and community presence. Collaborating closely with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this role is responsible for designing and executing strategies to manage major donor relationships, secure financial donations, and build long-term partnerships. Additionally, the Director oversees brand identity and communications across a 31-county service area, aiming to raise awareness and promote our programs effectively.

The ideal candidate is deeply passionate about our mission and dedicated to fostering relationships with board members, community leaders, and supporters. They must excel in both donor cultivation and strategic communications to advance our organizational goals.

• Major Gifts Program: Lead all aspects of major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for annual gifts of $5,000 or more. Develop strategies to upgrade existing donors and attract new major supporters.
• Leadership Support: Equip and support the CDO and CEO with prospect briefings and meeting preparations for major donor engagements.
• Development Plan: Create and implement a comprehensive annual development plan, setting targeted goals and strategies to meet budgeted objectives.
• Proposal Writing: Draft compelling proposals and correspondence for diverse audiences, including high net worth individuals and corporations. Represent the organization effectively in public speaking engagements.
• Donor Management: Oversee the cultivation of donors giving less than $5,000, with a goal of elevating them to major gift status. Ensure thorough follow-up and relationship management.
• Team Oversight: Direct the Gift Operations Manager and Marketing and Communications Manager on donor database management, including reports, updates, and maintenance.

• Public Relations: Manage and enhance the organization's public relations and communication efforts to boost community awareness and support.
• Content Management: Ensure the organization’s website and other digital platforms are regularly updated with relevant content.
• Donor Engagement: Oversee communications with donors, including thank-you letters, newsletters, and emails. Innovate new ways to keep donors engaged.
• Event Management: Supervise fundraising and awareness events, setting ROI and goals. Provide comprehensive annual reports on community relations activities.
• Social Media: Oversee social media strategies and content, staying current on trends to effectively use these channels.
• Direct Mail/E-Appeal: Manage direct mail and e-appeal campaigns, working with outside vendors to execute three major campaigns annually.
• Brand Consistency: Coordinate the production of print and electronic materials, ensuring brand consistency and alignment with the organization’s mission and vision.
• Advocacy: Monitor and advocate for food security issues, mobilizing donors and partners to respond to relevant legislation.

• Fundraising Goals: Track and report monthly, quarterly, and annual fundraising progress towards revenue goals.
• Activity Reporting: Prepare and submit detailed monthly reports to the CDO and CEO on development and communication activities.

• Grant Program Oversight: Direct the Grant Manager in strengthening the grant program, ensuring timely reporting and increased funding.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience: 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, with a strong preference for major gift experience.
• Skills:
  • Exceptional customer service skills with a high degree of responsiveness to donors.
  • Proven strategic thinking and creative problem-solving abilities.
  • Results-oriented with meticulous attention to detail.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and donor database software.
• Attributes:
  • Strong management skills with the ability to adapt to changing conditions and priorities.
  • Passion for the organization’s mission and a proactive approach to leadership.

Vaco values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

Vaco is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco LLC and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco LLC and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .

Vaco also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

Vaco LLC and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco’s HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual’s skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations;
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.