This role is responsible for leading and executing the organization's comprehensive fundraising, external communications, and marketing initiatives to support its mission of serving 3 million youth. 

The Director of Development and Communications manages a team and plays a key role in raising the organization's visibility, impact, and financial resources, while maintaining brand recognition at the community and thought-leader levels. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director will collaborate with the Executive Director, other members of the leadership team, Board of Directors, and Development and Communications staff to achieve the organization's goals. 

Join the Circle

When you come to work at MIGIZI, you join a legacy that spans back to 1977. MIGIZI’s mission is to provide a strong circle of support that nurtures the educational, social, economic, and cultural development of American Indian youth. We are passionate about the success of our young leaders and make sure resources are available while using our voice to advocate for equitable education for our community. Our vision is for American Indian youth to be acknowledged and honored for their sacred gifts and boundless potential – which they share – as leaders – with their communities and nations. When you join the Circle, you join a tradition in investing in our future leaders for generations to come.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive Development and Communications plan, providing strategic advice on external and internal communications, branding, and messaging.
2. Fundraising: Lead the annual Development Plan to generate $2.5 million, overseeing programs like major gifts, corporate partnerships, and grants. Cultivate donor relationships, manage grant writing and reporting activities, direct capital campaigns, and expand the donor base.
3. Communications and Marketing: Lead strategic communications and marketing to raise awareness and manage media relations. Oversee material production, enhance the organization's brand through storytelling and media outreach, and ensure consistent messaging. Serve as a spokesperson.
4. Team and Organizational Management: Manage the Development and Communications team, participate in strategic planning, and represent the organization publicly. Collaborate with stakeholders and staff. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

● Provide strategic leadership for the organization’s comprehensive fundraising and development program, including achieving ambitious annual goals for financial contributions.

● Design and implement an integrated development strategy that includes major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, individual giving, events, and digital campaigns.

● Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, institutional funders, and strategic partners to grow a sustainable base of philanthropic support.

● Ensure effective development operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality reporting, acknowledgement, and communications to funders and donors.

● Conduct prospect research strategies to identify high-impact funding opportunities across individual, corporate, foundation, and government sectors.

● Lead cross-functional efforts to develop the agency’s Annual Report and other strategic communications tools that articulate impact and strengthen donor confidence.

● Partner with the ED to prepare strategic fundraising updates, forecasts, and analyses for the Board of Directors.

● Provide oversight and direction for the agency’s grants portfolio, including identifying prospects, reviewing proposals, and ensuring high-quality submissions and reporting.

● Develop and implement dynamic communications and marketing materials, primarily for use with fundraising efforts.

● Serve as lead architect and convener of engaging donor events and community engagement efforts aligned with development goals.

● Build the internal capacity related to fundraising and communications, aligned with the overall needs of the organization.

● Ensure effective use of donor management systems and internal tracking tools to ensure donor contacts and engagement records are accurate, timely, accessible, and can act as the basis for informed decision making.

● Monitor sector trends, funding landscapes, and policy shifts to position the agency for long-term sustainability and leadership within its field.

● Provide leadership to development and communications consultants and future team members.

● Develop marketing and promotions collateral related to fundraising or brand awareness campaigns in alignment with national standards, and reflective of the unique impact of the local organization.

● Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the ED.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Bachelor’s degree in resource development, marketing, communications, or related field (Master’s degree preferred)

• 5+ years of combined experience in fundraising, communications, and community building & networking

• Experience in branding, communication, and/or marketing campaigns

• Foundation relationship and grant writing experience

• Experience designing, coordinating, and implementing fundraising and brand awareness events

• Experience with Board of Directors relations and Board development

• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar fundraising software and tools

• Compelling capacity to mobilize teams in supporting fundraising activities, agency events, and annual branding campaigns

• Excellent written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills capable of engaging multiple audiences through presentations, website content, social media, and/or speaking engagements.

• Possess project management and leadership skills with specific examples of such in work-related experience, be a self-starter, well organized, detail-oriented, and able to effectively work independently

• Ability to deal effectively with pressure; remaining optimistic and persistent, even under adversity

OTHER 

1. This is a full-time, Exempt position 
2. Knowledge of American Indian communities and youth development 
3. Some weekends and evenings 
4. Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance 
5. Background check 

Benefits

1. Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000 – depending on experience 
2. Generous PTO and Holidays
3. Excellent benefits including; health and dental, LTD, STD and Life insurance, 401 k contribution

Apply

1. Email jenellec@migizi.org with the subject line: Director of Development and Communications*Your Name*
2. Include in the email your cover letter on why you would be a good fit at MIGIZI and your resume.
3. Include two professional references.

Important information for candidates:

You must clearly identify previous financial development experience to be considered for the position. Please include specific dollar amounts raised through individual giving, major gifts, and corporate partnerships in your application materials. The Development and Communications Director will have ambitious fundraising goals to meet organizational needs. Current annual revenue is approximately $2.5 million. Candidates must be prepared to clearly articulate how you would accomplish this goal.