Director of Development & Communications

Featured III

Aug 6

Written By Yolanda F. Johnson

Plummer Youth Promise
Salem, MA

Anticipated Start Date: October 20

Description

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development and Communications (DDC) leads Plummer's efforts to obtain financial and in-kind support that will sustain the organization at an exciting time of capital expansion and increasing annual (operational) funds raised.

This position leads and is responsible for all fundraising projects and marketing communications, including supervising a talented, committed four-person Development team that raised $1.2M for annual fund during FY25. The DDC also works closely with the Executive Director to oversee and participate in major gift fundraising for Plummer’s ongoing capital campaign.

To date, we have raised $18M of the $25M campaign goal to support two buildings: a newly opened residential building for youth, and renovating the historic Caroline Plummer House. The DDC also serves as a member of Plummer‘s Senior Leadership Team (SLT), a highly collaborative group which helps determine and implement the organization’s strategic priorities together. Essential to the DDC’s success will be the ability to work alongside SLT colleagues to leverage multidisciplinary teams and work effectively with the Board of Trustees.

Responsibilities

Fundraising

Lead the creation of the annual Development and Communications Plan, which details the strategies, goals, metrics, and tactics to be utilized for that fiscal year. Gain input and participation from staff in the creation of this plan.
Annual Fund: Leads the development of and oversees a comprehensive annual Development program to increase philanthropy from the $1.2M raised in FY25 to more than $2M over the next three years.
Solicits support from individuals, family foundations, private foundations, and corporations, collaborating with the Board of Trustees, its Advancement Committee, and the Executive Director to leverage their skills and capacities as appropriate.
This critical funding will supplement Plummer’s government revenue and earned revenue.

Capital Campaign

Oversees the remainder of the $25M capital campaign, helping raise the balance of $7M to enable full renovation of the historic Caroline Plummer House.
This includes supporting the Executive Director with her donor portfolio; creating and working with donors in the DDC’s own portfolio; and providing ongoing facilitation and coordination with the Campaign Cabinet.
Annual fund and capital campaign activities include overseeing and directly participating in: Prospecting activities to expand Plummer’s individual, foundation, and corporate donor pipeline.
Cultivation strategies to engage prospective donors with PYP’s mission and be moved to make a gift of financial support, time, or in-kind support.
Solicitation strategies, including preparing and making asks of donors capable of giving 5-7 figures.
Stewardship approaches that meaningfully honor donors, including foundations, and inspire them to further giving
Supervises the Donor Engagement Manager by overseeing their work on annual appeals, the Promise Circle monthly donor recognition group, and individual major gift asks of 4-5 figures.
Supervises the Community Partnerships Manager by overseeing their work on special events, corporate partnerships, community networking, and sponsorships.
Supervises the Development Operations Manager by overseeing their work on gift processing, donor acknowledgements, the donor database, and other internal systems that support the fundraising program.
Serves as the staff liaison to the Campaign Cabinet and Advancement Committee, ensuring effective committee planning and meetings. Prepares and presents reports to the Cabinet and Committee throughout the year, reflecting both fundraising and communications objectives and activities.
Manages the Development budget, including the annual fund and campaign budgets, and works with the Executive Director, Director of Finance, and Senior Leadership Team to project the future annual fund and campaign resources necessary to achieve the organization’s strategic priorities.
Maintains accurate data and gift records, working with the Director of Finance to regularly reconcile gift information.

Communications

Directs strategic communications and marketing efforts to increase Plummer Youth Promise’s visibility with audiences that will help Plummer achieve its strategic priorities.
Leads the creation and implementation of the communications/development calendar, ensuring all deadlines are met for printed materials including the annual report, brochures for the organization and various programs.
Supervises the Digital Engagement Specialist by overseeing their work on email marketing, content marketing, website updates and maintenance, social media, and paid online ads.
Identifies public relations and advocacy opportunities for Plummer, collaborating with the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team to determine which opportunities to pursue and the best method and process for pursuit.
Drafts or supports the creation of content for marketing, public relations and/or advocacy.

Team Management

Provides exceptional leadership and management of 4 Development and Communications staff members and outside contractors related to PR, events, design, digital marketing, and more.
Staff members include the Donor Engagement Manager, Community Partnerships Manager, Development Operations Manager, and Digital Engagement Specialist.
Supports staff members’ professional development. Assists team members in their work as needed and asks for help when needed. Fosters strong collaboration, teamwork, and communication across the Development team.

Organizational Management

Actively participates with the SLT in the strategic planning and execution of key efforts across the organization. Regularly reviews, analyzes, and contributes diverse internal data sets to help ensure SLT’s alignment in the pursuit of Plummer’s strategic priorities.
General Represents the organization publicly at Plummer and non-Plummer events, including frequent public speaking. Prepares reports for, attends, and presents to the full Board as requested by the Executive Director. Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Collaboration: Works collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team, the Development and Communications team, the Board of Trustees, and the Campaign Cabinet; contributes to achieve a common objective; makes decisions that benefit the organization; assists others when needed; celebrates wins together.
Leadership: Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to participate in discussions and to perform well; inspires respect and trust; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others; displays passion and optimism.
Strategic Thinking: Able to hold a picture of the entire organization, exhibiting an understanding of the interdependence of all organizational functions that informs thoughtful participation in short- and long-term strategic discussions and decisions; understands the Development and Communications team's strength and weaknesses; adapts the team’s strategy to changing conditions.
Managerial Responsibility: Includes staff in planning and decision making; takes responsibility for subordinate activities; makes self available to staff; provides regular supervision and performance feedback; creates, delegates and implements program plans.
Communication: Shares appropriate information to keep people informed; understands the differences in individual communication styles; communicates clearly and effectively in writing and in person; adheres to both written and verbal reporting communication policies.
Conflict Management: Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; is willing to listen to other opinions or ways of doing things; embraces constructive change even if it is personally difficult.
Initiative: Exhibits strong effort and desire to accomplish what is undertaken; expresses opinions and initiates ideas; able to recognize when to execute something even in the absence of complete information, recognizing that if something does not work as hoped or expected it is a learning opportunity.
Quality Management: Is precise and accurate; pays attention to details.
Self-Awareness & Development: Is aware of own strengths and areas of development; values constructive feedback; works to overcome limitations; active in professional development.
Relationship with Plummer Youth and Families: Ability to have positive interactions while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Preparation, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong commitment to the Plummer Youth Promise vision and mission. Ten plus years of experience spanning the full range of Development techniques; 5+ years of supervisory experience a must.
Successful experience designing, implementing, and evaluating the success of a wide range of fundraising, community engagement, and communications activities. Solid understanding of nonprofit financial management and compliance. Understanding of legislative and regulatory processes a plus.
Detail oriented. Superb verbal and written skills. Confident and persuasive public speaker; comfortable with small and large audiences. Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
Respects confidentiality. Ability to handle quick-paced, stressful environment independently and support others to work effectively within that environment.
Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Teams, and use of donor databases, including data entry protocol and ability to produce accurate data reports.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands