Job Description
Development and Communications Director
General Statement of Duties:
The Stonington Free Library seeks a highly responsible and hands-on Development and Communications Director to join our organization. This full-time position involves planning, administering, and executing our development program, as well as overseeing marketing and communications. The Development and Communications Director will play a crucial role in managing and growing our annual fund and fundraising efforts, cultivating donor relationships, maintaining donor databases, coordinating marketing and communications activities, and supporting various development initiatives. The ideal candidate will be self-directed, flexible, and possess excellent communication and organizational skills.
The Development and Communications Director will have a passion for connecting the right message to the right person at the right time, demonstrated success in fundraising for a non-profit, a desire to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and will be part of a collaborative working environment dedicated to improving the lives of library patrons.
Essential Job Functions:
- Acting as liaison to the Board Development Committee
- Monitoring local and national trends in librarianship, media, and fundraising.
- Setting goals for marketing outreach and analyzing the results.
- Using project management techniques and tools to establish development and editorial calendars and workflows.
- Writing press releases, emails, and other publicity materials for the web and in print, using marketing best practices and developing patron relationships.
- Designing dynamic and inclusive content that takes advantage of social media's unique capabilities and audiences.
- Attending board and development committee meetings and other meetings as needed.
- Working collaboratively with Kelley’s Pace to plan, organize, and run the Battle of Stonington 5k.
- Supporting the annual Village Fair Book Sale in planning, organizing and implementing.
- Supporting the Mystery Dinner Committee in planning, organizing and implementing the annual Mystery Dinner fundraiser as well as other Library events as needed.
- Creating, managing and sending donor communications, monthly newsletters and Annual Report.
- Collaborating with other staff to identify opportunities for increasing the public profile of the library through communication, marketing and advocacy.
- Managing and growing the existing planned giving and endowment programs.
- Under supervision of the Library Director, researching potential grant opportunities; creating and submitting grant proposals as required.
- Staying abreast of, and recommending, development ideas and strategies related to non-profit and/or public library fundraising.
- Producing development reports, including reports for the Development and Communications Committee.
- Solicitation, cultivation, retention and appreciation of existing and prospective donors.
- Maintaining the organization’s eTapestry donor database to ensure accurate and dynamic donor records.
- Managing and growing the Annual Fund and fundraising efforts, including solicitation, gift processing, recording, acknowledgment, reporting and managing mailings and lists.
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
- Positive attitude and commitment to customer service.
- Ability to research and establish connections with potential funding sources, including proficiency in writing and submitting grant proposals.
- Uses strong skills in planning and coordinating fundraising events and special initiatives.
- Ability to create compelling content for various communication platforms.
- Openness to new and emerging technologies
- Ability to think creatively and take initiative when developing marketing and development strategies.
- Adaptable to changes within a quick-moving environment.
- Able to independently manage projects. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Possessing strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Attentive to details.
- Proficient in computer applications and web-based technologies including Microsoft Office, Constant Contact, Canva, WordPress, Google Workspace and social media platforms.
Experience:
- Experience working with volunteers.
- Proven ability to cultivate, retain, and communicate with existing and prospective donors.
- Experience with or knowledge of “Moves Management” or similar donor cultivation strategy.
- Demonstrated success in managing and growing annual funds, fundraising efforts, planned giving and endowment programs.
- Experience using Blackbaud/eTapestry or similar fundraising software
- Experience in project management and ability to meet deadlines.
- Experience (3-5 years) in annual appeal management, grant writing, communications, marketing, and other advocacy duties in a non-profit environment.
Note: The above job description is a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications for the role of Development and Communications Director. It is not an exhaustive list, and other duties may be assigned as necessary to meet the organization's needs
Supervision:This position does not supervise other staff members.
This position is under the direct supervision of the Library Director.
Location: in-person at Stonington Free Library in Stonington, CT
Hours: This is a full-time, year-round position (35 hours per week).
Salary and benefits: Hourly rate is $29.00. Benefits include health insurance, sick, personal, holiday and vacation days.
To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and email addresses for three professional references to search@stoningtonfreelibrary.org by August 6, 2023.