Director of Storytelling & Donor Impact Communication

YMCA Of Greater Seattle•Seattle, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Storytelling & Donor Impact Communications is a creative leader and content producer responsible for shaping and delivering compelling, donor-centered storytelling that brings the YMCA of Greater Seattle’s mission to life. Situated within the Financial Development division, this role translates organizational priorities, program outcomes, community experiences, and donor investments into engaging creative content and persuasive copy that strengthens fundraising, stewardship, donor engagement, and campaign performance across digital, social, email, and live experiences. This position serves as the division’s lead creative strategist, storyteller, and copywriter—developing mission-driven content that captures the impact of philanthropy, community engagement, and volunteerism. The role plays a critical part in ensuring the organization effectively communicates the impact of approximately 30% of its revenue generated through philanthropy and the power of its volunteer workforce. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this role works closely with Financial Development leaders, frontline fundraisers, program teams, and Marketing and Communications to align creative direction, produce high-quality content, and ensure storytelling is cohesive, compelling, and reflective of community impact.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, financial development, communications, public relations, human services or equivalent experience. Other applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position will be considered.
Five or more years of related experience.
Experience supervising staff, working with volunteers and knowledge of nonprofit organizations and fundraising principles.
Ability to produce high quality written and verbal solicitations and messaging to a broad audience.
Ability to collaborate and work effectively and proactively with all levels of branch and Association Office staff.
Excellent computer skills, including word processing, database, spreadsheet software and web-based applications.

Nice To Haves

Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.).
Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.

Responsibilities

Lead a storytelling and creative content strategy that supports fundraising, donor engagement, and the Chief Development Officer’s community engagement priorities.
Translate program information, community needs, organizational priorities, and impact data into compelling narratives and creative assets.
Produce written and multimedia content for digital, social, email, events, and donor communications.
Develop audience-centered messaging with clear value propositions and calls to action.
Maintain consistent voice, tone, messaging, and creative quality.
Balance emotional storytelling with credible data and measurable impact.
Ensure storytelling is ethical, accurate, respectful, and supported by appropriate consent.
Partner with Donor Services and the Director of Campaigns & Community Giving to develop stewardship reports, donor updates, recognition materials, and a bi-monthly impact newsletter.
Produce content that supports donor retention, increased giving, reactivation, recurring giving, and deeper engagement.
Develop tailored materials for the Chief Development Officer’s donor, community, and advocacy engagements.
Strengthen the connection between donor generosity, community impact, and the YMCA’s mission.
Establish systems for identifying, collecting, approving, and maintaining impact stories.
Build and manage a centralized Financial Development story bank containing narratives, testimonials, photography, video, data, and consent documentation.
Partner with Marketing and Communications on story intake, interviews, editorial standards, and approval workflows.
Produce and adapt creative assets for campaigns, donor communications, events, presentations, and digital platforms.
Work with event and volunteer teams to capture stories highlighting community and philanthropic impact.
Participate in campaign planning to ensure content is appropriately sequenced and aligned.
Serve as Financial Development’s primary partner to Marketing and Communications for donor-facing storytelling and creative production.
Collaborate on brand alignment, design, production, digital execution, and distribution.
Coordinate with the Chief Development Officer on high-visibility donor and community engagement opportunities.
Work across departments to align storytelling with fundraising strategy and organizational priorities.
Manage concurrent storytelling and creative production projects and improve workflows to increase efficiency and access to approved content.
Maintain editorial calendars, production timelines, and content workflows.
Establish standards for writing, storytelling, and creative quality.
Manage external writers, photographers, videographers, designers, and other creative vendors.
Contribute to Financial Development planning and help shape storytelling and engagement priorities.
Advise leadership on creative direction, audience engagement, messaging, and emerging content opportunities.
Stay informed on best practices in fundraising communications, philanthropy, and digital storytelling.
Foster a collaborative, innovative, and donor-centered culture.
Support the AVP of Community Giving and Financial Development Team in various tasks to ensure smooth division functioning.
Maintain discretion and independent judgment when handling confidential donor information.
Able to occasionally work non-traditional hours, including evenings or weekends, for events and donor activities.
Represent YGS’s values—cause-driven, equity-centered, and community-focused—in all interactions.
Other duties as assigned.
All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements.
Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization’s abuse risk management standards.