Job Description
WordPlay Cincy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a mission to create spaces for young people to fulfill their potential by discovering, honoring and sharing their voices. The Development and Communications Director reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for designing, implementing, overseeing and measuring all fundraising and communications strategies for the organization. This includes continuing to build on organizational history in year-round fundraising strategies to secure diverse and ample financial resources through individual donor cultivation, grants, corporate sponsorships, special events, social enterprise and fee-for-service. To support these efforts, a key function of this role is the execution of a dynamic and innovative communications plan that supports resource development and relationship-building for the organization. The Development and Communications Director acts as a community liaison to convey the overall message of WordPlay’s mission and impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Design annual fundraising and communications calendar; responsible for successful implementation, stewardship and measurement of all fundraising activities to ensure sufficient operating revenue while growing reserve funds
- Oversee, coach and develop all development and communications staff
- Work closely with Executive Director to continuously grow individual donor base
- Oversee annual fundraising events
- Work with development staff and Executive Director to identify and apply for grants from foundations, government and corporations
- Prepare monthly development reports for Executive Director and Board of Trustees
- Work closely with development and communications staff to design and disseminate annual reports
- Collaborate with director-level programs staff to ensure flow of information about program scheduling, planning, design, and evaluations; as it relates to communications, development and fundraising strategy
- Maintain and strengthen existing all funds-related partnerships and relationships
- Cultivate outreach opportunities to grow public awareness of the organization for charitable giving
Essential Qualifications and Attributes
- Bachelor’s Degree with at least 5 years in non-profit development with increasing responsibilities, ideally in director-level position
- Expertise in non-profit communications strategies, writing for internal and external communications, copy writing for fundraising campaigns and cause marketing
- Thorough knowledge of cashflow analysis, profit and loss statements, balance sheets and other financial reporting
- Demonstrated innovation in non-profit development strategies
- Proven record of successful grant writing and grant reporting
- Skillful management, training and mentorship of direct reports
- Exceptional communication skills including interpersonal, professional, written and presenting to audiences
- Experience executing projects in collaboration with members of a nonprofit Board
- Strong understanding of relationship between budgeting, cashflow, profit and loss and revenue generation
- Proven experience working with diverse populations
- Strong commitment to equity, social justice, inclusion and diversity
- Creative problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
- Prior success in collaborative environments
- Ability to research, distill and integrate new information
- Superior organizational and time management skills
- Proficiency in current office technology and a willingness to learn and consistently employ tech systems
Preferred Experience & Knowledge
- Proven success in capital campaigns
- Proven success in major donor stewardship
- Experience in planned giving and investment strategies
- Knowledge of fee-for-service models and social enterprise
- Expertise in Salesforce CRM
- Expertise in QuickBooks
- Experience with non-profit finance and accounting, budgeting and IRS 990s
Other Requirements
- Successful completion of full BCI background check required
- Must be on site for key annual fundraising events
- Physical Requirements: requires standing and walking 25% of the time, lifting up to 25 pounds
- This position requires presence at all fundraising events. Some evenings and weekends required. Reliable transportation and schedule flexibility is a must
Send PDF of cover letter and resume by email only to careers@wordplaycincy.org. No phone calls please.
WordPlay Cincy provides equal employment opportunities (EOE/M/F/D/V/SO) to all employees and applicants for employment.
Our mission is to create spaces for young people to fulfill their potential by discovering, honoring and sharing their voices.
Our values are:
- Authentic Exploration
- Inclusive Community
- Creative Innovation
- Nurturing Relationships
- Personal Transformation
All employees are expected to lead by example, modeling the organizational mission and values through their daily actions.