Director of Development and Communications

Reports to: Executive Director
FLSA: Full-time, 40 hours per week, Mon-Fri, occasional weekend work as needed

About the Role

This position is responsible for raising funds and mobilizing public support for a healthy, local food system. The Director of Development and Communications works in collaboration with the Executive Director, the leadership team, the Board of Directors, and staff to accomplish the goals of the organization.

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Work closely with the Executive Director (ED), Director of Finance & Administration, and the Board of Directors to chart the organization’s future growth and strategic decisions.
• Serve on the staff Leadership Team (Directors Team) to provide analysis, develop actions on key issues, make recommendations, and provide reports to the Board of Directors.
• Support the Executive Director on high-level policies, issues, and concerns.
• Lead the development and communications team in planning, implementation, and evaluation of fundraising and communications activities. The team includes three direct reports: Development Manager, Communications Manager, and Community Engagement Manager.
• Recruit, train, and engage volunteers for the annual Midtown Hoedown event, staff the board-level Development and Communications Committee, and other short-term fundraising committees.
• Provide staff leadership and support to maximize committee effectiveness and productivity.
• Participate in other organizational committees as assigned or volunteered.

Development

• Lead the design and execution of annual development plans in partnership with staff and leadership teams.
• Identify, cultivate, and deliver significant gifts from a diverse base of supporters (individuals, corporations, foundations, government) in collaboration with the ED and Board.
• Lead development and management of the annual Dig In! and Midtown Hoedown fundraising events.
• Communicate regularly on progress toward goals and work with the ED, Director of Finance and Administration, staff, and Board to ensure revenue and fundraising targets are met.

Communications & Public Engagement

• Lead the design and execution of an annual communications plan in partnership with staff and leadership teams.
• Implement and provide oversight in creating SOPs to execute development and communications tasks.
• Assess CKC’s communications collateral material and respond to emerging needs.
• Organize staff writing assignments to execute the yearly communications plan and fund development needs.
• Supervise the development and communications team responsible for:
  • Bi-monthly newsletters and as-needed email updates;
  • Website and social media account management;
  • Design work, planning, and event management for development-driven events;
  • Fielding media requests.

The Communications Manager primarily performs these tasks, with support from the Community Engagement Manager. Design and event management are often supported through volunteer labor or independent contracts.

Requirements

• 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, development, sales, or non-profit administration.
• Proven track record of raising funds from a variety of sources, including individual giving, corporate giving, sponsorships, and grants, with an emphasis on soliciting mid-level and major individual gifts.
• Skills at cultivating individual donor relationships by identifying donor priorities and aligning them with the organization’s mission.
• Extensive experience planning and executing fundraiser events.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on building relationships.
• Experience developing and implementing strategy.
• Knowledge of donor database software (Salesforce preferred).
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines and motivate others in a collaborative environment.
• High-level attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education.
• Familiarity with charitable giving in the Kansas City region.
• Familiarity with Kansas City’s food system or the desire to learn.

Physical Demands

Must be able to work well with others and demonstrate effective listening; the job requires both independent work and collaboration with groups.

Work Location

This is a hybrid position, although meetings will frequently take place in Kansas City. Cultivate KC maintains office space at 4049 Pennsylvania Ave in Kansas City, MO, and at 1017 N. 6th St. in Kansas City, KS. Both spaces can be used to complete work tasks.

Workplace Culture

• Collaborate and care for each other, our work, and our community.
• Promote a healthy balance between work and personal life.
• Are adaptive, creative, and open to learning.
• Take time for organizational self-reflection.
• Practice transparency with each other and those we serve.
• Believe food systems work should be fun and bring joy to ourselves and our communities.

Pay

$75,000–$85,000 annually, based on experience.

Benefits

• Health benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan option.
• Four PTO days annually usable at start (pro-rated by quarter in the first year based on hire date).
• Two weeks of vacation accrued during the first year, increasing to three weeks at year two.
• Paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s.