Director of Community Engagement

Community Engagement Management

• Leads the development of the outreach strategy for community organizations, corporations, faith-based organizations, schools, universities, youth organizations, volunteers, and other community partners based on outreach goals.
• Develops, implements, and oversees new strategic and programmatic initiatives to better serve underrepresented communities based on data, trends, and community feedback.
• Identifies and develops potential donors, sponsors, strategic partners, and volunteers.
• Regularly evaluates all community engagement programs and systems to ensure they support the mission of DNWest.
• Participates in community events as a representative of DNWest to strengthen the presence of DNWest within our local community and stakeholder groups.
• Responsible for authentic and meaningful relationships with underrepresented populations through a deep understanding of cultural differences and social mores to increase the effectiveness of communications and outreach activities.
• Develops and strengthens relationships with coalition partners, community leaders, and other state advocacy groups; proactively identifies opportunities for DNWest to support and amplify the work of partners.
• Identifies opportunities, manages contacts, and secures new and grows existing partnerships.
• Identifies and executes opportunities to leverage community stories for earned media coverage.
• Builds, maintains, updates, and optimizes critical dashboards in our Customer Relationship Management system 

Volunteer Program Management

• Leads the strategy development and implementation of volunteer engagement with community organizations, schools, universities, faith-based organizations, and corporations.
• Coordinates with Community Engagement Specialists to identify volunteer needs, creates new volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups, and continuously works to improve the overall volunteer program.
• Creates and updates handbooks, training presentations and manuals, and other program materials to help volunteers meet the mission of DNWest.
• Oversees the development and execution of monthly volunteer orientations and trainings to educate supporters about DNWest and the importance of organ and tissue donation for transplantation and research.
• Creates and hosts volunteer appreciation opportunities and implements best practices for volunteer retention.
• Works to promote volunteer opportunities and spotlight volunteers.
• Develops and implements strategies to expand the Donate Life Ambassador program through recruitment, training, stewardship, and ongoing engagement.

Community, DNWest, and Donor Network West Foundation Events

• Works with the events staff to plan and implement events supporting DNWest, the Donor Network West Foundation, our hospital relations staff, and the DSA community.
• Directs the Volunteer Program Manager to maximize use of volunteers as Ambassadors and in support of events.
• Strategizes ways to engage and elevate individual and corporate volunteers to charitable donors.
• Supports in-kind donations by training Community Engagement staff to solicit donations from volunteers and community partners and tracking data related to such in-kind donations.
• Provides additional assistance as needed with activities that further Development and Communication activities, including advocacy and fundraising.

Planning and Budgeting

• In conjunction with the VP of Marketing and Communications, develops short- and long-term plans and budgets for the Community Engagement program and its activities and events, monitors progress, assure adherence and evaluates performance.
• Assures that all Community Engagement programs and related staffing and budgets are appropriate to accomplish the stated goals and long-term vision of Donor Network West leadership and its Board.
• Responsible for the achievement of Community Engagement and events mission, goals and financial objectives. Ensure that evaluation systems are in place related to these goals and objectives and report progress to the VP of Marketing and Communications.
• Recommends short- and long-term DNW goals and objectives to the VP of Marketing and Communications.
• Keeps informed of developments in the fields of community engagement, registry enrollment, event management, not-for-profit management and governance and OPO advances specific business and use this information to help DNW operate with initiative and innovation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be able to design, implement, and monitor an effective community relations and communications program.
• Exceptional written/verbal communication abilities. Aptitude for public speaking is essential.
• Demonstrates ability to represent DNWest as a spokesperson.
• Superb judgment and emotional intelligence with ability to diffuse situations and forge consensus among divergent views.
• Meticulous attention to detail and demonstrated history of event planning/management.
• Proven track record of building relationships with internal stakeholders and external partner organizations.
• Possess a high degree of organization, ability to solve problems independently, and work with others in a congenial and collaborative manner.
• Proven ability to evaluate the costs, risks, and benefits associated with alternative actions before making decisions. Demonstrated experience in developing effective strategies aligned with organizational goals and business outcomes.
• Ability to manage a diverse team of experts overseeing several projects simultaneously on time and within budget with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.
• Conveys a sense of urgency when appropriate; persists in the face of obstacles; strives for excellence and drives to outcomes that reflect meeting or exceeding a standard of excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, plan, and manage at both strategic and operational levels.
• Strong social skills and experience in community building.
• Ability to empower; consistently conveys an open and solution-oriented approach to addressing challenges, completing work tasks, and provides positive and constructive feedback to internal and external persons.
• Ability to be highly entrepreneurial; resourceful, and flexible; able to anticipate and act on events and opportunities which advance DNWest’s mission.
• Effectively tells “our story”: serve as a catalyst with vision who can create excitement and energy around DNWest’s programs and encourage others to support the organization; persuasive, persistent, and determined in the pursuit of the organization's fundraising goals.
• Strong project management skills; maintains a strategic focus while simultaneously managing multiple projects, deadlines, goals, and program needs.
• Demonstrated ability to create and sustain coalitions of diverse individuals or groups.
• A flexible team player who works collaboratively and shares responsibility and credit.
• Ability to work flexible hours, which may include some evenings and/or weekends.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree with concentrated study in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, Event Planning, and/or related field. Work experience may take the place of educational requirement.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in non-profits, community engagement, political, or grassroots organizing, or policy advocacy.
• 5+ years supervisory experience.
• Experience with virtual organizing.
• Experience managing and organizing programs for issue-based campaigns.
• Experience managing multiple campaigns simultaneously.
• Experience with recruitment and supervision of volunteers.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Suite products including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Customer/Volunteer Management software.
• Must have ability to travel within the DNWest’s service area by car. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and current vehicle insurance based on applicable state minimum insurance coverage standards.