Manager of Development & Communications

Position Overview

KIPP St. Louis has unveiled an ambitious five-year Strategic Plan 2030. The Manager of Development and Communications is responsible for high-quality execution of the region’s fundraising and communications strategy. This role ensures that grant submissions, donor systems, events, marketing campaigns, and communications production are delivered with excellence, accuracy, and timeliness.

Communications & Content Execution

• Manage the regional communications calendar aligned to fundraising and enrollment priorities.
• Produce and deploy content aligned to the Director’s narrative strategy.
• Manage network social media, website updates, and marketing materials.
• Create and maintain template libraries for schools and regional teams to streamline messaging.
• Carefully coordinate with graphic designers and external creative vendors to ensure brand alignment and high-quality execution.
• Create and maintain template libraries for schools and regional teams to streamline print and digital communications.
• Execute the Director’s internal communications strategy, ensuring clarity, consistency, and impact across the region.

Grant Drafting & Support

• Draft grant proposals and reports aligned to the Director’s funding strategy.
• Gather programmatic data, budgets, and outcomes in partnership with schools and Finance.
• Maintain a grant submission calendar and tracking system.
• Ensure timely submission of grant applications and reports.

CRM & Monitoring Systems

• Maintain disciplined CRM updates and donor data hygiene.
• Track donor touches and engagement activities.
• Produce routine development reports and pipeline summaries for Director review.
• Monitor fundraising progress toward goals and elevate risks proactively.

Events Execution

• Lead logistics and operational execution of cultivation and signature events.
• Manage vendor contracts, including photography, videography, design, and event production.
• Track event budgets and provide post-event ROI analysis.

Marketing & Enrollment Support

• Execute recruitment marketing campaigns aligned to enrollment priorities.
• Ensure that the website and marketing materials reflect current campus configurations and the regional strategy.
• Support storytelling efforts that align directly with fundraising and external positioning priorities.

Outcomes

• On-time and high-quality grant submissions and reporting.
• Accurate and disciplined CRM and donor tracking systems.
• Successful execution of revenue-aligned events.
• Clear, consistent, and error-free communications.
• Communications and storytelling that directly support fundraising strategy.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Minimum 3-5 years of experience in development, communications or non-profit operations
  • Experience supporting fundraising efforts (grant writing, donor communications, events)
  • Strong written communication skills (donor-facing materials, family-facing, reports, emails)
  • Ability to manage projects and timelines across multiple stakeholders
  • Team player with strong interpersonal, stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
  • Ability to develop and execute content across channels (email, website, social media)
  • Experience creating or supporting storytelling that advances fundraising or organizational priorities
• PREFERRED:
  • Experience writing or supporting grant proposals and reports
  • Experience coordinating fundraising events or campaigns
  • Familiarity with CRM systems and donor tracking
  • Experience in education or mission-driven organizations
  • Exposure to major gifts or donor stewardship processes
  • Experience managing or contributing to social media strategy and execution