For more information, please follow this link: https://forth.hiringthing.com/job/345725/director-of-development-communications
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Leadership & Management (20%).
● Lead a growing team responsible for marketing and communications, events, business development, fundraising, and strategic partnerships in support of these activities
● Provide guidance, direction, and coaching for direct reports (3 Senior Managers of sub-teams)
● Ensure team cohesion, effective strategy and tactics, efficient processes, data-driven decision making, systems to set and track KPIs, and proactive communication with other teams
● Create an inspiring team environment by connecting staff’s daily work with Forth’s strategic plan and by providing ample development, recognition, and leadership opportunities
● Model ongoing performance management, including regular bidirectional feedback, goal setting, reviews, and coaching/mentoring
● Evaluate and refine the team’s roles and structure as Forth grows to streamline work, align with organizational needs, and ensure that staff members feel valued and supported
● Serve as an active member of Forth’s organizational leadership team; champion transparency and feedback loops between the industry network team, leadership team, and broader team
● Support one or more relevant board committees to activate the board
● Guide continuous improvement in operationalizing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in the industry network team’s internal and external practices, culture, and activities
● Lead the annual budgeting process, including fundraising budget, for the team
● Guide the team in continuous process improvements for systems and work flows to grow efficiency, transparency, tracking, and impact (including Salesforce)
● Support the strategic plan revisiting process to sharpen our desired outcomes, key audiences, revenue plans, and strategies; and ensure the team supports strategic goals and KPIs
Development & Fundraising (30%)
● Direct the growth of Forth’s membership program, including moves management, retention strategies, and process improvements
● Help the business development and fundraising team prioritize and apply for a steady stream of funding opportunities—including grant, fee-for-service, and productization opportunities—to align with the strategic plan, budget needs, and evolving goals for both existing and new projects
● Help identify funder, sponsor, fee-for-service, and partner prospects and support with outreach
● Support with proposals as needed; help project-manage large grant opportunities, e.g. USDOE
● Lead the team in building best nonprofit development practices to strengthen partnerships with members, sponsors, and funders; ensure that practices are shared org-wide to build capacity
● Lead the integration of development strategies with staff and activities across the organization
● Ensure the business development team establishes, evaluates, and regularly updates Forth’s program/service/product development process and “menu of services”
● Work with the Executive Director and Senior Manager of Business Development to build a sustainable three-year revenue model for the organization to support growth
Strategic Events & Partnerships (25%)
● Ensure the successful execution and expansion of a robust portfolio of Forth-hosted events (such as the Roadmap Conference) and partner events; identify cross-promotion strategies
● Direct the implementation of partnership strategies, processes, and training across the organization to coordinate and deepen relationships with key contacts
● Direct the development, launch, and evaluation of a “key account” management system
● Support staff with international partnership priorities, goals, and strategy
● Work with staff to create a three-year plan for strategic events (including Forth-hosted events, partner events, and external events we attend)—including strategies for growth and evaluation
Organizational Marketing and Communications (25%).
● Support the Senior Communications Manager and the marcom team in the development and implementation of strategies and tactics to reach key audiences, grow Forth’s community of supporters and stakeholders, raise Forth’s national profile, and advance organizational goals
● Help the MarCom team establish an annual marcom plan, budget, and KPIs to engage target audiences and maximize Forth’s visibility as a valued leader and partner in the sector
● Ensure policies and procedures are in place to promote efficient and proactive collaboration between the communications team and other Forth staff
● Ensure that Forth’s branding, key messaging, and storytelling is consistent across the organization, aligned with the strategic plan, and clearly communicates vision/mission/values
● Make sure that the staff and board have up-to-date resources to promote Forth in a consistent, compelling, action-oriented manner
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
● A passion for Forth’s mission and values
● Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion, understanding of key concepts, and desire to grow your knowledge in this area
● Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of experience in business development, fundraising, communications, or related field
● Experience and ability to train others in best development and communications practices, including funder relationship building and multi-year grant scoping and budgeting
● An entrepreneurial approach proven through successful business development experience; ability to work independently on diverse projects and maintain strategic perspective
● Demonstrated ability to manage multiple conflicting projects and meet deadlines while maintaining work-life balance
● Demonstrated strength in team management; passion for supporting and developing staff
● Strong ability to motivate team members and assess performance; remotely and in person
● Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communications skills, both written and verbal
● Willingness and ability to travel, occasionally overnight; valid driver’s license and passport
Desirable:
● Experience working for a nonprofit organization with a mission-driven staff and board
● Experience working with electric utilities, local governments, or transportation companies
● Advanced degree in a relevant field