Director of Development and Communications

Agate Housing and Services•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

Agate is a nonprofit organization working to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. It provides emergency services, shelter, and housing programs for individuals and families. The Director of Development and Communications leads the growth and strategic direction of Agate’s philanthropic fundraising, marketing, and internal and external communications. The role is accountable for achieving individual, corporate, and foundation fundraising goals that support operational and capital needs, while strengthening Agate’s visibility, reputation, and stakeholder engagement. Strategies should align with Agate’s mission, priorities, and strategic objectives. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director oversees fundraising strategies and operations, including annual giving, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation partnerships, donor stewardship and acknowledgment, gift processing, data management, and fundraising events. The Director also leads marketing and communications, including brand awareness, impact storytelling, consistent messaging, and communication among staff and external audiences. The role provides leadership and oversight to the development and communications team and serves on the Executive Leadership Team, working with senior staff, board members, and stakeholders to develop strategy, cultivate high-level donors, and expand philanthropic support. The Director also collaborates with the government contracts department to align messaging, budgets, and funding strategies across projects and initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
At least 7 years of professional fundraising experience.
Proven experience developing and executing fundraising strategies and closing major gifts.
Experience securing major grant funding and working with funders.
Genuine passion for and commitment to Agate Housing and Services’ mission.
Proven success building and maintaining long-term relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and other fundraising constituents.
Proven experience developing and managing donor plans.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Demonstrated leadership ability and team leadership skills.
Ability to collaborate and build productive relationships with colleagues, clients, volunteers, vendors, donors, and community members.
Track record of leading professionals, volunteers, and staff in productive committee, task force, or special-project work.
Flexibility, innovation, adaptability to change, ability to manage multiple projects, and ability to work effectively under pressure.
Professionalism, confidence, self-motivation, initiative, and ability to represent the organization with excellence.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ability to demonstrate care toward guests, donors, volunteers, and people who encounter the agency.
Must use a personal vehicle, carry liability insurance coverage of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence, hold a valid driver’s license, and pass a driving-record background check.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Set fundraising goals and determine the vision, direction, and execution of near- and long-term development plans.
Build and manage a sustainable fundraising program aligned with Agate’s strategic plan, and grow philanthropic revenue.
Develop external relationships and engage the board, volunteer leaders, and staff in prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Manage and grow the development team to achieve or exceed fundraising targets.
Provide strategic direction to development professionals and manage a leadership-level portfolio of key donors and prospects with capacity to give $50,000 or more annually.
Personally solicit and close significant major and transformational gifts; support the Executive Director with donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Represent Agate to external supporters, partners, and donors.
Oversee media relations, press engagement, public statements, crisis response, and emergency communications.
Develop and implement integrated marketing and communications strategies to strengthen Agate’s brand, reputation, and public awareness.
Set priorities, goals, and performance expectations for the marketing and communications team, and ensure accountability for results.
Oversee marketing materials and digital content, including social media, website content, newsletters, and other communications.
Guide storytelling and content development that showcases Agate’s programs, impact, and community role.
Collaborate with senior leaders and program teams to identify opportunities to elevate Agate’s work and promote initiatives.
Manage the Board’s Development and Governance Committees.
Participate in Executive Leadership Team strategy, planning, and decision-making.
Build working relationships with senior leadership and board members to align priorities and advance organizational goals.
Coordinate with the government contracts department to align funding priorities, project budgets, and messaging across public and philanthropic funding sources.
Work across departments to ensure fundraising and communications reflect strategic priorities, programmatic needs, and organizational impact.