Director of Development & Communications

Description Position: Director of Development & Communications Accountability: Reports to Chief Executive Officer Job Status: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt Hybrid Status EE.4.2 (Minimum 2-3 days in office) Date Revised: May 2026 Director of Development & Communications Role: The Director of Development & Communications is a senior leadership role responsible for designing, integrating, and executing the organization’s fundraising, marketing, and communications strategies to advance mission impact and ensure long-term financial sustainability. This position provides strategic oversight of all contributed revenue activities and public-facing communications. She/he proactively plans, organizes, and coordinates A Better Way’s fund development strategy and our multi-channel marketing and communication strategies related to fund development, brand development, and special projects - aligning brand, messaging, and donor engagement. The Director serves as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and works closely with the President & Chief Executive Officer, Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Board of Directors, and program leadership: a. to articulate a compelling case for support; b. to deepen donor relationships; c. to increase the organization’s unrestricted funds; d. to promote and coordinate a culture of storytelling that celebrates and communicates impact and successes; and e. to strengthen the organization’s visibility and reputation. Total compensation includes a base salary, a sign-on bonus, a discretionary performance-based incentive bonus, 12 paid holidays, a paid year-end office closure, and comprehensive benefits. Duties and Responsibilities: Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Leadership Develop, implement, and monitor effectiveness of our comprehensive, multi-channel fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals and the annual operating budget. Oversee all contributed revenue streams, which may include individual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships, special events, peer-to-peer fundraising, stock donations, car donations, and planned giving. Partner with the President & CEO and the Board to support major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Cultivate strategic relationships with foundations and corporations with potential for significant unrestricted funding support. Lead and expand grant writing team, and assist with grant applications related to unrestricted and some targeted restricted fund-raising campaigns Communications, Marketing & Brand Management Cultivate and implement the organization’s brand strategy, voice, and visual identity ensuing consistency across all external communications. Contribute to creation of marketing and communications collateral to create cohesive images & on-brand messaging – including program descriptions, website copy, impact reports, and more. Lead strategy for digital communications, including website, email marketing, Direct mail communications, advertising, and social media, with a focus on audience growth and conversion. Define key performance indicators for each communications channel which will indicate a campaign's level of success and make recommendations for improvement Monitor, evaluate, and report on similar industry activities; make recommendations based on findings/opportunities discovered Write and deliver newsletters, blog posts, social media postings, on a periodic basis Represent the organization at events and press conferences Reach out to influencers, media and beyond in order to arrange story placement on a local, state, and national level Campaigns & Integrated Planning Lead integrated campaign planning, including annual fund drives, special initiatives, and seasonal or event-based campaigns. Maintain an annual fundraising and communications calendar aligned with programmatic and fiscal-year priorities. Coordinate cross-departmental collaboration to source stories, data, and outcomes that demonstrate impact. Data, Systems & Analytics Oversee effective use of CRM and marketing platforms to support fundraising, segmentation, and reporting. Use data and analytics to inform strategy, test new approaches, and continuously improve performance. Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards, donor privacy requirements, and relevant regulations. Team Leadership & Management Recruit, supervise, and develop development and communications staff and contractors. Establish clear roles, priorities, and workflows to balance short-term revenue needs with long-term brand building. Foster a collaborative, results-oriented team culture. Board & Executive Engagement Serve as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO on fundraising and communications matters. In collaboration with the CEO and the Board Fundraising Committee, support Board engagement in fundraising through training, tools, and clear expectations. Prepare materials and reports for Board committees related to development and communications. Professional Development Participate in required and approved program and skill development training Other duties as assigned or necessary for the good of the program and agency Qualifications and desired skills: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred. 3+ years prior experience working in a marketing or communications role preferred Strategic thinker with strong execution skills Proven success designing and executing marketing and communications strategies and campaigns and meeting or exceeding revenue goals Relationship builder comfortable engaging donors, partners, and Board members Strong understanding of donor psychology, storytelling, donor stewardship, and brand strategy. Experience managing teams, budgets, and complex projects. Ability to work with current resources while strategizing for expansion. Proficiency with CRM systems, email marketing platforms, and digital communications tools. Minimum one year experience supervising at least one direct report. Excellent understanding and familiarity with brand building and brand management Excellent organizational and project management skills and ability to meet deadlines Data-informed decision-maker able to think analytically and strategically Capable of working well as part of a team as well as independently Strong multitasker, able to simultaneously manage multiple projects with different deadlines Experience producing video storytelling content highly preferred Intermediate to Advanced use of MS Office Suite including Excel and PowerPoint Commitment to the organization’s mission, values, and equity principles Excellent interpersonal skills, including patience and cultural competency Superior written and verbal communications skills Ability to appropriately identify & prioritize emergent situations in the functioning of the agency Represent A Better Way, Inc. in a positive and professional manner during telephone/written communication and in-person contact with clients, business associates, etc. Ability to handle sensitive communication of private and confidential information Work Environment While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, talk and hear. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a full-time exempt position. Days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with occasional evening and weekend duties. Hybrid position with minimum 2-3 days per week in person. Eligible for occasional remote work. Travel Local travel to various worksites may be required. Work Authorization/Security Clearance Employees must pass a background check and receive TB and health clearances prior to employment. Covid-19 vaccination required. A Better Way is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Inclusive environments for all employees and applicants are our priority. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, neurodiversity, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. This document may be subject to periodic review and revision in compliance with California labor and employment regulations.