Development and Communications Director

About the role

The Development and Communications Director leads fundraising, donor engagement, communications, marketing and community outreach efforts for Options Veterinary Care. Options Veterinary Care is a Reno based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality, affordable veterinary care to pets who would otherwise suffer without it. Each year, Options serves over 8,500 dogs and cats living in Northern Nevada, helping to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent animals from receiving needed veterinary care.

Responsibilities

• Plan execution: Execute a comprehensive and effective fundraising, communications, marketing, and outreach plan for Options. Assess results and make adjustments.
• Donor communication: Manage fundraising to achieve goals including online and traditional approaches, such as direct mail appeals and twice monthly e-newsletters.
• Donor cultivation:
• Direct communication with donors regarding giving opportunities.
• Major gifts and bequest cultivation, working closely with the Executive Director.
• Engagement in donor retention and cultivation, such as developing the monthly giving and On-Call Angels programs.
• Utilization of appropriate strategies to reach potential new supporters in the community.
• Impact stories:
• Identify stories that show Options impact and share these through social media and other appropriate outlets.
• Create videos to promote Options work to supporters and write about Options for publications, such as community newsletters or blogs.
• Media coverage:
• Identify newsworthy activities and events and write and distribute news releases in a timely manner.
• Develop and maintain relationships with media contacts and reporters and arrange coverage through TV, radio, and other platforms.
• Online presence: Maintain/create an online presence for the organization including the website, social media, and nonprofit donor websites.
• Community events and campaigns: Plan and implement two to three community events or special campaigns each year as appropriate to create awareness and raise funds (assisted by volunteers and other staff) including opportunities for local business sponsorships.
• Grants: Oversee management and tracking of grant applications and reports, seek additional grant opportunities, and assist with grant writing.
• Identify opportunities: Stay current on new strategies for development and outreach and recommend ways to increase fundraising.
• Collaboration with the team: Develop and maintain communication and work together effectively with the Executive Director and with other key management staff and volunteers.
• Consistent organizational branding: Help ensure consistent standards and messaging.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in fundraising, communications, and marketing functions including social media and traditional media.
• Knowledge and experience in animal welfare and common development strategies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications with ability to learn the Wix website platform quickly.
• Experience with basic photography, videography, graphic design, and other content creation skills are a plus.
• Strong project and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to communicate compassionately and professionally with clinic clients.
• Able to work in a busy environment with changing priorities.
• Self-starter; able to be effective while working from a home office.

General Qualifications and Expectations for All Staff

• Commitment to the mission, goals, and guiding principles of Options Veterinary Care.
• Affection for animals and concern for their wellbeing.
• Flexible with the ability to manage changing priorities and varied tasks and schedules.
• Strong interpersonal skills—The ideal person would be outgoing, personable, professional, and able to get along well and communicate successfully with a variety of people.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Results-oriented—Able to set goals, plan and carry out projects without direct supervision in an organized, efficient, and effective manner.
• Collaboration—Working effectively as part of the team to accomplish the organization’s goals.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Learning-agility—Willingness and ability to learn new things quickly; interest and commitment to keeping up with emerging best practices.
• Innovative/solution-oriented—Strong problem-solving skills; able to find ways to make things work.
• Drive―Takes initiative and works with minimal supervision and direction; performs all duties in a manner which encourages attainment of the campaign’s goals.
• Attention to detail―Exceptional ability to follow through and meet deadlines.
• Technology savvy—Comfortable and proficient with computer technology (Microsoft Office and possibly other programs/applications that apply to specific role); able to learn new programs quickly.
• Sound judgment―Maturity, good judgment, and strong decision-making and implementation skills.
• Professional personal appearance and demeanor.

Requirements

• Education/experience: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience.
• Location: Lives in greater Sparks/Reno, Nevada area or willing to relocate.
• Nevada Driver’s License in good standing.
• Able to work with and around animals.

Contact Information

Job Contact Details
Closing Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026