Director of Development and Communications

Salary: The annual compensation range is expected to be between $125,000 for candidates with 10 years of relevant experience and $135,000 for those with 20 years.

About Us

Columbia Legal Services (CLS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to civil legal aid, focusing on promoting social, economic, and racial equity for individuals experiencing poverty. Our mission is to empower communities and movements through our extensive legal expertise, which is deeply informed by a commitment to racial equity.

We strive for systemic change by engaging in class action lawsuits, employing innovative legal theories, advocating for policy changes, and supporting communities in enhancing their own power. We have a unique obligation to assist individuals whose access to free legal services is limited due to systemic barriers or immigration status.

Our Commitment

At CLS, we aim to build a team that embodies our core values of community, racial equity, and justice. This includes prioritizing the hiring of staff who have connections to the communities we serve and fostering a culture that emphasizes justice and equity in our hiring practices.

Role Summary

We are seeking a collaborative and seasoned full-time Development & Communications Director to join our statewide team, working towards a vision where every individual in Washington State enjoys full human rights and economic opportunities.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Development & Communications Director will be a vital member of the executive leadership team and will oversee a team of 3-4 staff and interns within the development and communications (DECO) department. This team is dedicated to community-focused fundraising and people-centered communications, aiming to expand the organization's budget over the next five years and beyond. CLS secures funding from various sources, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, and is currently initiating a capital campaign.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and manage an annual fundraising strategy encompassing direct donations, grants, corporate contributions, and estate gifts.
• Lead the ongoing capital campaign, collaborating with campaign leaders, funders, board members, and stakeholders to enhance CLS's mission.
• Align fundraising events and communications with CLS's mission through a community-centric approach.
• Engage staff and board members in fundraising efforts, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the legal aid funding landscape.
• Utilize the organization's customer relationship management (CRM) system to track fundraising progress and generate reports.
• Assist in identifying and nurturing new grant opportunities, overseeing grant writing and reporting processes.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors and funders, delegating tasks as necessary.

• Collaborate with various CLS teams to ensure cohesive internal and external messaging that supports the CLS mission.
• Create and implement an annual communications strategy, supporting the Communications Manager in its execution.
• Develop internal communication practices that promote collaboration and transparency.
• Lead media engagement strategies around key advocacy issues, including the development of talking points and briefing materials.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of electronic and print communications, including website content, social media, and public education initiatives.
• Direct the transition to a new CLS website, scheduled for future implementation.

• Lead the development and communications team, supervising the Resource & Engagement Manager, Communications Manager, and DECO Coordinator.
• Support the professional growth of DECO staff.
• Coordinate team members' involvement in various organizational initiatives and working groups.
• Establish departmental goals and strategies, implementing accountability measures for development and communications efforts.
• Contribute to organizational policy development as a member of the Organizational Management Team.
• Manage the DECO department budget and provide regular updates on revenue.

• Foster relationships with the Board of Directors to enhance their understanding of community-centric fundraising.
• Develop fundraising and communications plans for the Board, considering its evolving capacity.
• Lead the Board DECO Committee in supporting CLS's development and communications initiatives.

Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of experience in fundraising or development, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Five or more years of experience in external communications or community engagement.
• Proven knowledge of the funding landscape and community-centered fundraising, with a track record of achieving fundraising goals.
• Experience in developing and executing internal and external communications strategies.
• Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building abilities, fostering collaboration among diverse groups.
• Experience working with individuals from various racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
• Experience supervising staff or long-term interns.
• Ability to integrate organizational values into communications and fundraising efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in both fundraising and communications, particularly in advocacy contexts.
• Experience with capital campaigns or major fundraising initiatives.
• Project management experience and leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience collaborating with board members to enhance engagement in communications and development.
• A demonstrated commitment to racial justice.
• Experience with legal aid, civil rights, or the criminal justice system.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

CLS is dedicated to its core values of community, racial equity, and justice, and seeks an individual who aligns with these principles and is committed to advancing community-centric fundraising and communications practices.

Compensation and Benefits

CLS is in the process of updating its salary scales. The annual salary for the DECO Director is anticipated to range from $125,000 to $135,000, depending on experience.

Columbia Legal Services is committed to fostering an equitable work environment, including a focus on pay equity. Adjustments may be made mid-year based on experience, and annual cost-of-living increases may be applied.

This full-time, exempt position is confidential and not eligible for representation by any labor union.

CLS offers a 35-hour workweek, with occasional deviations. We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 14 paid holidays annually.
• Winter Break office closure.
• 12 sick days annually.
• 15-21 paid vacation days annually, based on experience.
• 3-5 personal days annually, based on experience.
• Early office closure on the first Friday of each month.
• Paid parental and family medical leave.
• Paid sabbatical every seven years.
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance for eligible employees.

We cover 100% of employee premiums for health, vision, and dental insurance, as well as 50% of the maximum out-of-pocket deductible, with heavily subsidized family premiums.

Additional benefits include a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions, disability and life insurance, a subsidized transit pass, and an employee wellness program.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit an application, including a cover letter and resume in PDF format, through our application portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

We are committed to creating an environment of mutual respect and equal opportunity for all employees, and we strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds.