The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region is committed to building a flourish philanthropic community. We are looking for a talented professional to join our organization. To apply, please email us your resume.
Director of Communications
Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Full-Time
Hours: 40hrs/week; generally Monday-Friday 9 am – 5 pm; occasional nights and weekends may be required.
Updated: October 2022
Job Summary
This individual is responsible for managing all communication and marketing efforts for The Community Foundation. The Director of Communications designs and implements the communications plan and related key messaging in alignment with the foundation’s strategic plan. This position is also responsible for coordinating with the fund development team to drive donor impact and engagement, ensure positive brand recognition and community relations marketing. The Director of Communications is a skilled communications manager and strategic storyteller with a vested interest in the mission and goals of The Community Foundation.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
Marketing/Communication Activities
- Develops, maintains, and implements the foundation strategic marketing plan, goals, and objectives.
- Develops and tracks marketing and advertising budget; coordinates monthly and annual review of all outcomes.
- Coordinates market research, demographics, potential, market share, etc.
- Ensures brand guidelines are adhered.
- Designs and/or oversees the production of The Community Foundation collateral material, both print and online including:
- Annual Report
- Annual Appeal
- Website
- Social media
- Electronic and print newsletters
- Impact reports
- Media releases
- Solicitations
- Donor recognition
- Maintains and updates foundation website to ensure effective and current foundation promotion, while fulfilling information requests.
- Works closely with all staff to ensure the collection and record keeping of impact stories and data to communicate with donor base.
- Works to increase public awareness by securing public speaking opportunities, identify ongoing opportunities for earned media and general education and engagement opportunities.
- Leads the marketing coordination alongside the development team for all foundation events.
Donor Relations & Engagement
- Manages donor tracking database system, testimonials, referral programs, and reports, as needed, to assess efficiency of marketing initiatives
- Coordinates, with assistance from staff & volunteers as needed, the annual holiday party and other occasional special events.
- Develops engagement opportunities and educational materials to better connect donors with the causes they support (Impact Reports, collateral pieces, planned giving communications, etc.)
- Works closely with ALL STAFF to ensure the collection and record keeping of impact stories and data to communicate with donor base.
- Coordinates photography sessions and conducts interviews for grant impact storytelling.
- Utilizes FIMS database, our shared server, and/or other CSR database programs to document donor meetings and contact information.
Administration/Management
- Facilitates monthly Board Marketing Committee meetings to ensure effective team communications and progress.
- Performs other related duties to ensure effective communication and foundation achieving goals and messaging
This may be the career for you if:
- You love to meet new people and make new connections—in fact, you are already immersed in civic or volunteer work in our community.
- You enjoy designing and creating materials to tell stories of impact.
- You think creatively and take action on new opportunities.
- You can plan a great party—and are known for it in your social circle!
- You have a positive, can-do attitude and if you don’t know something, you will either ask or figure-it-out!
- You aren’t scared of databases and website maintenance .
- You are a wiz at social media, can use a camera, and write a great media release.
- You want to help make decisions that will improve your community.
We are a small office with huge impact, so teamwork, positivity, and flexibility is crucial! “Communication is the key! Silence is the enemy!” We have fun, but we work hard to help make our community better, every day.
Essential Skills and Abilities:
- Minimum bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism, marketing or a related field required.
- Minimum 5 years of relevant experience with demonstrated success in designing and implementing communications strategies and campaigns.
- Preference for individuals with experience in the nonprofit sector or in development/sales. Knowledge of the local community and philanthropic landscape preferred.
- Excellent communication skills, oral and written. Persuasive writer and storyteller.
- Attention to detail and planning imperative. Must have an outlook of continuous improvement, positivity, a desire to seek best practices, and be a self-starter. Must be able to develop and direct programs with little supervision and navigate difficult situations under pressure.
- Proficiency in all social media platforms, Google ad words, Mail Chimp or similar platform, Canva, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Filmmaker Pro, Illustrator) or similar platforms.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and committees simultaneously.
- Ability to build trusted relationships and be an effective ambassador for the foundation.
Foundation Values: All Community Foundation employees:
- Understand and appreciate the role of nonprofits in thriving communities
- Are committed to: philanthropy and the work of The Community Foundation; the foundation’s core values of stewardship, inspiration, collaboration, vision and accountability; equity, diversity and the power of social change.
- Aligned with the values and philanthropic mission of The Community Foundation and possesses a commitment to fostering a positive office culture.
- Highly ethical standards including the ability to understand and maintain confidentiality.
- Respect and value those who partner with or request assistance from the foundation.
- Provides an active presence at community events, grantee events, various engagements in the community and on committees and non-grantee boards.
- Is professionally involved in the field of philanthropy by participating in events, seminars and conferences in the local community and the regional, state, and national nonprofit and philanthropic sectors that are designed to strengthen and promote the field and the Foundation.
- Ability to work in partnership with residents, local leaders, and all nonprofits to strengthen the region as a whole.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation commensurate with experience, qualifications and salary standards. Benefits include health insurance, dental and vision, generous paid time off, contribution to a retirement plan, professional development opportunities and a flexible work environment.
Physical Demands
Physical requirements will vary depending upon the specific duties to be accomplished. This position may require the ability to lift objects of at least 20 pounds in weight. Job duties will require the employee to regularly sit/type, stand/walk, and sit and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In addition, it is a requirement of this position that the candidate be able to maintain a physical presence in the office regularly and consistently and for the full, regular workweek. Some remote work is available/required in compliance with our COVID-19 protocols. The Community Foundation’s normal office hours are 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Attendance may be required at special events during normal working hours or outside the normal workweek.
Nondiscrimination Statement: Community Means Everybody
The Community Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a culture that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion. The foundation actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. There is no discrimination with regard to hiring, assignment, promotion, or other conditions of staff employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or any other legally protected classification.
This list of essential responsibilities and requirements is not intended to be exhaustive and is expected to evolve. The Community Foundation will review the description periodically and reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.
To apply, please send your resume to terimcnally@cfrrr.org.