DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Agency and Department Leadership

• Develops and oversees the organization's annual communications and philanthropy plans, establishing strategic priorities that support Community Bridges' mission and organizational goals.
• Led Community Bridges' public affairs, advocacy, government relations, external communications, and philanthropy efforts, developing and implementing strategies that advance the organization's mission, organizational priorities, and public policy objectives.
• Advise the CEO and executive leadership on communications strategies related to organizational reputation, public policy, legislative initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and emerging issues affecting the agency.
• Coordinates agency-wide messaging to ensure consistency across programs, advocacy efforts, government relations, philanthropy, and public communications.
• Manages communications and development staff to execute the coordination and implementation of Community Bridges’ overall fundraising, relationship management, communications, advocacy, and external affairs activities.
• Serves on the agency’s management team and provides trainings on development functions such as communications and marketing practices and principles.
• Works collaboratively with the CEO to strengthen relationships with elected officials, government agencies, funding partners, chambers of commerce, nonprofit associations, healthcare organizations, transportation agencies, school districts, and community stakeholders.

Marketing and Communications Management

• Writes, edits, and produces engaging agency communications, including annual reports, fundraising collateral, press releases, newsletters, and brochures.
• Works in conjunction with management team and coworkers on the production and distribution of all agency collateral and assets.
• Leads public relations efforts and daily communications across the agency, including drafting press releases, media strategy, social media management, and management of press affairs.
• Develops and executes strategic public affairs campaigns that educate policymakers, community leaders, funders, and the public regarding Community Bridges' impact, legislative priorities, and public policy initiatives.
• Drives digital engagement including website, email and social media fundraising strategies by overseeing major changes to the website and maintains engaging image driven design.
• Maintains internal communications with staff to increase engagement, collaboration, and employee satisfaction.

Fund Development & Leadership

• Leads all fundraising campaigns and supervises the gift acknowledgment, tracking and stewardship process.
• Analyzes fundraising performance using data analytics and reporting tools.
• Responsible for the execution of a customized solicitation and stewardship plans.
• Maintains written office procedures manual for development, communications and marketing activities.
• Develops and implements communication strategies that align with key HR initiatives to support recruitment and retention.
• Supervises the Community Bridges grants program including the grant writer to identify, select, and prepare grant applications.
• Leads the philanthropy committee, including assisting the CEO with identifying, recommending and recruiting philanthropy committee members, volunteers, board members, and consultants for the philanthropy committee.
• Serves as a liaison to the board for fundraising and communication activities.

Personnel Management

• Ensures a positive, culturally sensitive work environment that supports staff and offers opportunities for effective collaboration, professional development, and staff evaluations.
• Maintains a safe work environment that complies with established HR and CB policies and procedures, regulations and union contracts.
• Supervises staff to ensure the achievement of program objectives, including setting goals and expectations, monitoring progress, providing feedback, and implementing accountability measures.
• Manages all personnel actions for the department, such as hiring, promotion, evaluation, and discipline.