Director of Development and Communication

Description

Division: Development and Communications 

Reports to: Executive Director 

Work Location: Downtown Campus 

Hours: Full Time, Regular  

Status: Exempt / Salary 

Supervises:  

• Communications Manager 
• Major Gifts Officer 
• Development Coordinator 
• Development Assistant 

Position Summary 

The Director of Development and Communication is responsible for leading and managing all fundraising, donor engagement, marketing, communication, and public relations efforts for SVdP–Alameda County in support of the organization’s mission and strategic goals. This position oversees the development and implementation of a comprehensive three-year development and communication plan that includes measurable goals and strategies for annual appeals, major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, special events, donor stewardship, digital campaigns, and community engagement initiatives. 

The Director of Development and Communication works closely with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, Development Committee, staff, donors, volunteers, community partners, and external stakeholders to strengthen philanthropic support, increase organizational visibility, and advance mission-driven storytelling and engagement. This position plays a key leadership role in cultivating sustainable funding sources, enhancing donor relationships, and promoting awareness of SVdP–Alameda County’s programs and impact throughout the community. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develops and implements a comprehensive three-year development and communication plan with measurable goals, objectives, timelines, and evaluation metrics. 
• Oversees all fundraising activities including annual appeals, donor campaigns, major gifts, grants, sponsorships, planned giving, corporate giving, online fundraising, and special events. 
• Develops and manages donor cultivation, stewardship, solicitation, and recognition strategies to strengthen long-term donor relationships. 
• Identifies, cultivates, and solicits major donors, corporate partners, foundations, and community supporters. 
• Works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees to support fundraising priorities and strategic initiatives. 
• Provides leadership and supervision to development and communications staff, including the Major Gifts Officer, Development Assistant, and Development Coordinator. 
• Oversees creation and execution of organizational communication strategies, including marketing materials, newsletters, annual reports, digital communications, social media, website content, and public relations efforts. 
• Ensures consistent organizational branding, messaging, and storytelling across all communication platforms and campaigns. 
• Collaborates with program leadership to gather stories, program outcomes, and impact data for donor communications and marketing materials. 
• Oversees planning, coordination, and execution of fundraising and community engagement events. 
• Develops and monitors fundraising revenue goals and expense budgets. 
• Tracks and analyzes fundraising performance metrics and prepares regular reports for the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and Development Committee. 
• Oversees donor database management and ensures accurate gift processing, donor records, acknowledgments, and reporting. 
• Develops grant funding strategies and supports grant writing, reporting, and compliance activities. 
• Cultivates partnerships with businesses, faith communities, civic organizations, volunteers, and community stakeholders. 
• Represents SVdP–Alameda County at community meetings, fundraising events, networking opportunities, and public engagements. 
• Supports implementation of best practices related to fundraising ethics, donor stewardship, confidentiality, and nonprofit compliance standards. 
• Assists with organizational strategic planning initiatives and cross-department collaboration efforts. 
• Supports a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and mission-driven service throughout the organization. 
• Performs additional duties and special projects as assigned by the Executive Director. 

Requirements

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Strong work ethic and willingness to accomplish challenging goals. 
• Ability to comply with written and verbal instruction and complete assigned tasks independently. 
• Accountability to supervisors, deadlines, and performance expectations. 
• Professionalism, maturity, sound judgment, and problem-solving abilities. 
• Positive attitude and ability to contribute constructively within a team environment. 
• Demonstrates initiative, flexibility, creativity, and enthusiasm. 
• Strong analytical, organizational, and leadership skills. 
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment. 
• Excellent customer service and stakeholder engagement skills. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion regarding sensitive donor and organizational information. 
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation communication skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines. 
• Dependable, trustworthy, and detail-oriented. 
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development. 
• Ability to collaborate respectfully and professionally across departments. 
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and support staff effectively. 

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Ability to learn, understand, and model the nine core values promoted by SVdP: Vincentians, Storytelling, Grit, Accountability, Volunteerism, Kindness, Joy, Kaizen, and Engagement. 
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising, development, communications, or advancement leadership experience preferred. 
• Demonstrated success managing fundraising campaigns, donor cultivation strategies, and relationship-based fundraising initiatives. 
• Experience developing and implementing strategic development and communication plans with measurable outcomes. 
• Strong understanding of donor stewardship, annual giving, major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and event fundraising. 
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience developing donor communications, marketing content, newsletters, reports, and presentations. 
• Experience managing organizational branding, public relations, digital communications, and social media strategies preferred. 
• Ability to analyze fundraising and communication metrics and make evidence-based recommendations and decisions. 
• Strong project management skills, including development of timelines, reporting structures, and accountability systems. 
• Supervisory and/or management experience required. 
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, manage several projects simultaneously, and work well under pressure. 
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with donors, volunteers, board members, staff, and community partners. 
• Understanding of and willingness to work within a faith-based organization grounded in Catholic values. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, email systems, donor database software, and web-based communication platforms. 
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising ethics and best practices preferred. 

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) or equivalent combination of education and experience required. 
• Degree emphasis in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred. 

This job description is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties that someone in this position may perform. All employees of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are expected to perform tasks as assigned by St. Vincent de Paul’s supervisory/management personnel, regardless of job title or routine job duties. 

At SVdP-Alameda County, we are an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and candidate experience. We strive to create an environment where everyone has a sense of belonging and purpose, and where we learn from the unique experiences of those around us.

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or caregiver status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.