Director of Development & Communications

CHRYSALIS CENTER INC•Hartford, CT

3d•$85,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development & Communications drives revenue streams that enable Chrysalis Center to achieve its mission and maximize its community impact. Reporting to and partnering with the Chief Executive Officer, the Director creates and executes fundraising, communications, and marketing strategies. The role leads philanthropic giving, coordinates competitive government and foundation grant submissions, manages external communications across print, digital, and social media, and serves as a spokesperson to the media and public to strengthen the organization’s recognition and advance its mission. The position oversees fundraising programs for general operating support, program and capital needs; donor cultivation and solicitation; grant development and reporting; fundraising events; communications and marketing materials; and the organization’s volunteer program. It also supervises development staff, manages development expenditures within approved spending plans, maintains donor records and acknowledgements in partnership with the Executive Assistant, and supports the Development Committee of the Board. The role ensures annual revenue meets agency budget needs and pursues stated goals for growth in the donor base and appeals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred; the job details list a four-year degree as the education level.
At least 5 years of nonprofit development experience.
Experience in marketing, fundraising, and grants.
Proven oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated record of attracting and securing significant gifts from individual donors, corporations, and foundations.
Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and forecasting income and expenses.
Experience with fundraising database systems and donor-tracking, record-keeping, acknowledgement, and development-reporting procedures.
Knowledge of and proficiency with computer applications, including standard Windows applications.
Ability to work proactively with senior staff, the Board of Directors, corporations, foundations, and the wider community.
Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, current vehicle registration, and insurance.
Ability to identify major donors and develop strategies to move current donors to higher giving levels.
Ability to coordinate major-donor and holiday or special-occasion solicitations with the annual development plan and ensure proper acknowledgement and database updates.
Excellent multitasking, time-management, and project-management skills, with deadline-driven results.
Strong social and interpersonal skills, appropriate boundaries, discretion, and high ethical standards.
Ability to work with diverse cultures and age ranges and represent the agency professionally.
Strong communication skills.
Ability to maintain thorough knowledge of agency policies, procedures, and the union contract.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer and execute fundraising programs for general operating support, programs, and capital needs.
Formulate and achieve fundraising goals and strategies, including increasing support from current and past donors and expanding efforts to new constituencies.
Oversee major prospect solicitation activities involving individuals, businesses, and foundations.
Plan and coordinate at least one major fundraising event annually, including its budget, timeline, and goals.
Supervise personnel responsible for grant research and writing, special events, and volunteer management.
Plan, write, and manage direct mail efforts, including the annual fund.
Serve as staff liaison to the Board’s Development Committee and support or define fundraising assignments for Board members when appropriate.
Develop and implement communications strategies that promote the organization’s mission and activities and support development goals.
Create and manage the organization’s website and social media presence.
Develop print, digital, and other fundraising materials.
Create and execute a development calendar covering fundraising events and initiatives.
Design and produce the Annual Report, quarterly newsletters, and e-newsletters.
Craft official messages for the public and press.
Review and submit grant proposals and reports, ensure proper acknowledgements and corporate funder accreditation compliance, and track grants in the database.
Partner with the Executive Assistant to maintain the donor database and targeted mailing lists, ensure donor acknowledgement and record keeping, and identify and cultivate prospective donors.
Supervise direct reports, including holding regular supervision meetings, maintaining formal supervision notes, reviewing records, and overseeing staff tasks.
Provide orientation, training, and ongoing skill building for direct staff, and ensure timely performance evaluations.
Participate in hiring and termination decisions for supervised staff subject to the CEO’s final approval, and handle verbal and written disciplinary warnings in collaboration with Human Resources.
Manage development expenditures within approved spending plans, including written authorization for expenditures over $500 up to $1,000.
Ensure revenue is raised to meet annual agency budget needs as outlined by the CFO.
Grow the donor base by at least 10% annually and increase overall appeals by at least 10% annually.
Oversee the organization’s volunteer program and create outreach initiatives to develop community relationships and enhance visibility.
Read daily emails and newspaper articles and share relevant information with the CEO and/or other staff each morning.
Attend, represent, and participate in required events and meetings; perform other assigned tasks consistent with the job purpose.