Director of Resource Mobilization & Communications

Mar 27

Rock Steady Farm
Millerton, NY (remote ok, local prefer)

Anticipated Start Date: May 15, 2026

Description

The Director of Resource Mobilization and Communications will oversee all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and donor data management as well as public and online communications. In this way, the Director of RMC will provide vision and leadership regarding overall narrative development and representing the organization in the public sphere.

The Director RMC will translate the big picture purpose, vision, values, theory of change, goals and strategies of Rock Steady Farm into all public and funder communications. They will guide the direction and pace of the growth of our fiscally sponsored nonprofit programming. Additionally, the Director of RMC will supervise all fundraising and financial team members and consultants. This person will be part of a team, with the two other Co-Founders, the Director of Farm Operations and the Director of Finance & Programs. All three Directors are supervised by the cooperative’s worker owner team.

The ideal candidate will be fluent in the operations and management of small to medium-sized community-accountable nonprofit or fiscally sponsored organizations and have the proven ability to steward a positive, honest, and caring staff culture. As a senior leader, the Director of RMC will play a key role in fostering values-aligned internal and external-facing cultures, while representing the organization in visionary movement collaborations. A strong, adaptable, and emotionally intelligent interpersonal communicator, they will have the demonstrated ability to manage remote team members while engaging with the unique needs of a site and land-based organization.

Responsibilities

Strategic Organizational Leadership - Mission/Purpose, Governance, Legal, Financial (15%)

Collaborate with the other two Directors to: develop and track organizational strategic goals uphold the legal, fiscal, and ethical integrity of the organization co-develop annual operating budgets (currently $1.2M) with input from the staff and consultants co-create inspiring and supportive work culture

Uphold the purpose, vision, values, strategic 5 year goals, theory of change and points of unity of the organization in all decisions and action. Sign off on contracts, and endorsements (i.e., grants, grant contracts). Give input on legal documents, that the worker owners would be signatories on.

Assume shared responsibility for the functioning of the organization, including when necessary crisis management, complex problem solving, filling in gaps, and covering for needed functions. Provide narrative leadership and participate in media interviews, public speaking, workshops, on-farm hosting of guests, and other educational programming.

Resource Mobilization - Fundraising & Development (50%)

Lead organization in carrying out a strong fundraising strategy and plan, making refinements to meet emergent demands and attune to the shifting resource landscape.

Lead weekly fundraising team meetings. Work with RSF’s Grant Writer and the consultant agency for government grants to identify and pursue grant opportunities, including writing applications, letters of intent, and reports, and tracking all funder communications and deadlines.

Build and maintain strong relationships with donors and funders, coordinating with other Co-Directors and program staff on donor relations, grant partner meetings and cohort participation requirements. Ensure donors are thanked appropriately on a timely basis.

Attend networking and donor events on RSF’s behalf. Coordinate FEAST, an annual on-farm donor dinner event, as well as farm tours, donor meetings, funder briefings, and other events, as needed. Work with Grant Writer to create and distribute the annual impact report to funders and key partners. Work with Programs Team members to track grant and annual reporting outcomes throughout the year.

Oversee annual end of year fundraising drive, including the impact report, ask letter, and online fundraising strategies. In addition, oversee occasional recurring donor or rapid response fundraising campaigns as needed. Work with the Finance Team to ensure accurate recording of contributions and grants, and that expenditures are consistent with donor restrictions and submitted budgets.

Maintain our current donor-database. Help us select and migrate to a new donor database separate from fiscal sponsor, then update and maintain it to track donations and donor contact points. Ensure compliance and maintain communications and development records with fiscal sponsor, Good Work Institute. Establish and lead a strategy to grow business sponsorship revenue.

Narrative Direction - Communications, Storytelling & Press (20%)

Lead organization in carrying out a strong communications strategy and plan, making refinements to meet emergent demands and attune to the shifting movement landscape. Lead monthly Marketing and Communications Team meetings.

Represent the organization through public speaking, facilitation, media interviews, and conversations with key partners and funders. Work with the Marketing and Communications team to plan, draft, finalize, and send our monthly email newsletter.

Work with the Marketing and Communications Team to maintain our online presence (18,000+ cumulative followers), including updating our website and managing our social media platforms (currently: Instagram, Facebook, Linktree). Ensure our online presence reflects our purpose, vision, values, and current programming.

Work with a consultant (to be hired) to refresh Rock Steady Farm branding assets. Support the promotion and marketing of our CSA program and wholesale options, as it relates to other communications.

Oversee merch options and updates of our online merch platform. Serve as point of contact for all press inquiries; develop a media list for significant announcements Work with other team members to plan and carry out storytelling strategies, visual media opportunities, and other narrative change efforts.

Team participation & management (15%)

Attend weekly Directors Meeting Oversee and support two collaborative teams, which include staff in both consulting and managerial roles. Management of these two teams will include setting up weekly and monthly meetings and support and oversight of the tasks that come out of these meetings.

1) Fundraising Team (includes Director of Finance & Programs, and a team of consultants - one retainer consultant who supports weekly the strategy, grant writing, and the annual appeal; 1 project-based consulting support - often just for state and government funds, and our Programs Manager as needed)

2) Marketing & Communications Team (includes CSA Manager, Farm Manager, Programs Manager, and one Director) Liaise with the Webatuck Valley Farm Collaborative (WVFC) fundraiser and Resource Mobilization Team made up of staff from the WVFC partner organizations during scheduled co-working sessions. Attend monthly or bi-weekly Resource Mobilization meetings for WVFC to stay up to date on the large capital campaign happening concurrently for the new joint food hub on the property. Although this position does not currently directly supervise any RSF staff, only consultants and the two teams as described above, there may be future supervisory responsibilities.

In this case the Director of RMC would recruit, hire, supervise and support additional staff that fall within the realm of this position's responsibilities, scope and the RSF growth trajectory. Stay committed to modeling empowering feedback, healthy conflict navigation and ongoing peer-to-peer feedback year round. Support fundraising link to educational programing staff so that they are able to meet reporting needs while thriving in their programmatic roles and connection to our community.

Monday mornings all RSF staff are required to farm together, to build team cohesion and understanding of our core work and offering to the community we serve. Due to the remote work option this is not required for this position, but highly encouraged.

Requirements

At least 2 years experience as a Development Director, Communications Director, Nonprofit Managing Director/Co-ED, Executive Director, or comparable Senior Management position, managing a budget of at least $500,000 and at least 3 staff members
At least 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising; particularly working with government and philanthropic grants, grassroots fundraising, and major donor stewardship
Experience with communications strategies, including social media management, email marketing, website maintenance, press outreach, and visual media
Managerial experience with a developed ability to be clear, direct, and kind while implementing accountability and evaluation processes. Experience with team members working remotely.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. High attention to detail.
Proven track record in human resources, financial and legal management, and budget development and adherence.
Experience in group facilitation, event support, administrative management, and program development.
Experience living and/or working with people from diverse backgrounds in terms of race, ethnicity, gender (including trans* and nonbinary individuals and communities), sexual orientation, class, and religion.
Exhibits emotional maturity, treats others with kindness, respect, and compassion.
Excellent self-management and project-management skills, managing your tasks while checking in as needed with the team to define highest priorities.
Excellent initiative and follow-through. Efficient work practices and pride in a job well done.
Technology fluency with Google Suite, Canva and Zoom, proficiency with Wordpress and Bloomerang CRM. Willing to seek out and attend tech workshops to augment skills as needed.
Familiarity with food systems history, regional agricultural context, queer and trans liberation, and the farming & food justice landscape overall.