The Role
Lead and implement integrated communications, philanthropy, public affairs, advocacy, government relations, and community engagement. Manage development and communications staff, oversee fundraising campaigns, donor cultivation, grants, media relations, digital strategy, internal communications, and stakeholder relations. Advise CEO and board, present progress, and ensure consistent agency messaging to advance organizational priorities.
Summary Generated by Built In
Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Our family of ten programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Under supervision of the CEO and with the support of a cross functional team, the board of directors, and management team, the director of communications & external affairs (DCEA) implements the organization’s strategic direction for internal and external communications, philanthropy, public affairs, advocacy, government relations, and community engagement. The director implements comprehensive, integrated fundraising and communications strategy consisting of identification, engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of current and prospective donors and funders to sustain and expand financial support and connection to the work of Community Bridges (CB). The director manages communications and development staff to execute the coordination and implementation of Community Bridges’ overall fundraising, relationship management, communications, advocacy, and external affairs activities. The (DCEA) performs additional duties as assigned.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Agency and Department Leadership:
- Under the direction of the CEO, develops and oversees the organization's annual communications and philanthropy plans, establishing strategic priorities that support Community Bridges' mission and organizational goals.
- In partnership with the CEO, leads 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.
- Advises 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.
- Leads and effectively integrates the work of grants, development, and communications staff to achieve communications and fundraising goals.
- Presents monthly progress to the management team, philanthropy committee, and board of directors. Serves on the agency’s management team and when requested 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.
- In coordination with the CEO leads public relation 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.
- In collaboration with the HR department, manages internal communications with staff to increase engagement, collaboration, and employee satisfaction.
- Develops and implements communication strategies that align with key HR initiatives to support recruitment and retention, which includes developing and maintaining employment value proposition and branding strategy, onboarding, employee recognition, and employee wellness while advising on content, tone, and delivery across multiple communication channels.
- Monitors and assesses the effectiveness of internal communications, using staff feedback and engagement metrics to enhance transparency and improve internal communication practices.
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 procedures, methods and systems as directed.
- 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.
Professional Conduct:
- Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other agency staff members and with representatives of funding sources, governmental and community organizations, and others in regular contact with the agency.
- Uses judgment and discretion when dealing with information gained during the course of work; maintains confidentiality as required.
We screen all applicants, require background checks on final candidates consistent with funding regulation requirements and are a Drug-Free Work Place.
OTHER JOB DETAILS
- This is a FLSA exempt position in a family-friendly work environment.
- The position is eligible for a $.40/$.10 per hour bilingual/biliterate differential after passing a test administered by the HR department.
- Hours of work are typically 9AM-5PM, Monday-Friday, actual hours vary as needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- A BA/BS in marketing, public administration, business, communications, journalism or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Three years of professional marketing, communications or fund development experience, including at least one year performing similar work, preferably in a public or non-profit setting or educational equivalent;
- Excellent writing, proofreading and verbal skills; experience with press releases, grants, marketing materials, reports, and correspondence;
- Understanding of marketing, communications and public relations practices, and the principles of nonprofit administration, including human service issues and social science research
- Outstanding skills in oral communication and public relations. In particular, the ability to give motivational public presentations, be at ease in myriad social situations involving donors, and interface comfortably with corporate and foundation contacts;
- A keen eye for design with skills in any various design software including MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite or Cloud based software such as Canva;
- WordPress knowledge and web content development experience;
- Expert level social media expertise using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram; including data analytics, tracking and reporting functions. Including KPI’s and ROI;
- Strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a wide range of staff, donors, funders, clients, volunteers, etc.;
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in managing complex and multi-dimensional projects to complete work accurately and on deadline with minimal supervision.
- Appreciation of and commitment to further the mission, values and goals of Community Bridges.
Ability to:
- Research and analyze marketing and communications trends and best practices, and to recommend changes to practices based on this knowledge;
- Research, interpret and analyze data, including knowledge of Google Analytics, Google AdWords, Facebook Insights, and Hootsuite;
- Use tact and discretion in handling a variety of sensitive and confidential matters;
- Coordinate and supervise the work of staff and volunteers;
- Communicate effectively and respectfully with people from different racial, ethnic and cultural groups and from different backgrounds and lifestyles; demonstrates a knowledge of and sensitivity to their needs.
Preferred:
- Experience in photography and video production
- Experience in human service sector
- Bilingual English/Spanish
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as required.
- Must possess a valid California driver’s license and have access to a reliable vehicle to perform job duties
- Must pass a criminal background check and driving record review, demonstrated by providing a current K-4 DMV printout, and maintain a clean criminal and driving record
- Must be insured and be insurable under the agency’s vehicle insurance policy
- Must enroll in the agency’s DMV Pull Notice program
- Must be able to routinely lift up to 25 lbs as needed.
- Must be able and willing to work on a computer station for full workdays.
Skills Required
- BA/BS in marketing, public administration, business, communications, journalism or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Three years of professional marketing, communications or fund development experience, including at least one year performing similar work
- Excellent writing, proofreading and verbal skills; experience with press releases, grants, marketing materials, reports, and correspondence
- Understanding of marketing, communications and public relations practices and nonprofit administration principles
- Outstanding oral communication and public relations skills, including public presentations and donor engagement
- Design skills with software including MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite or cloud-based tools such as Canva
- WordPress knowledge and web content development experience
- Expert-level social media expertise with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, including analytics, tracking and reporting (KPIs, ROI)
- Experience with Google Analytics, Google AdWords, Facebook Insights, and Hootsuite
- Strong interpersonal skills to interact with staff, donors, funders, clients, volunteers
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience managing complex, multi-dimensional projects with minimal supervision
- Ability to research and analyze marketing and communications trends and recommend practice changes
- Ability to use tact and discretion handling sensitive and confidential matters
- Experience coordinating and supervising staff and volunteers, including hiring, evaluation, and discipline
- Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with diverse racial, ethnic and cultural groups
- Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required
- Valid California driver's license, access to a reliable vehicle, insured and insurable under agency policy, enrollment in DMV Pull Notice program, and clean driving record
- Must pass criminal background check and provide current K-4 DMV printout; maintain a clean criminal record
- Ability to routinely lift up to 25 lbs and work at a computer station for full workdays
- Experience in photography and video production
- Experience in the human services sector
- Bilingual English/Spanish
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The Company
What We Do
Community Bridges is a nonprofit human-services organization serving Santa Cruz County, California. Through a family of ten programs, it provides essential support and equitable access to resources for children, families, and older adults. Its services include family resources, childcare, meals, transportation, nutrition education, senior care, and referrals, while it also advocates for health, dignity, and stronger community conditions across every stage of life.
