We are looking for a Manager, Development and Communications (M, D&C) to lead Buffalo’s efforts to raise $2MM in annual operating revenue and invest our network (staff, Board, corps, alumni and community partners) in TFA’s mission and impact in Buffalo. The M, D&C will report directly to the Regional Executive Director and the primary responsibilities include: ensuring all data is accurate so that the team can use it to inform strategy and track progress to goal; conduct research and data analysis on donors and prospects to expand our base of support, upgrade gifts and identify motivations/ barriers to contributing to our cause; create and maintain efficient systems to manage all development processes enabling the team to effectively manage donor relationships, activities, and communications; create excellent written communications to keep our network of staff, Board members, corps members, alumni and community partners informed and inspired about our work.
The M, D&C will help lead our efforts to share the stories of our teachers, our alumni, and our regional efforts working for educational equity in Buffalo. A skilled and resourceful content creator with a love for crunching the data, you’ll ensure we are effectively utilizing and growing our digital and traditional media outreach efforts and help us maintain a consistent voice, look, and feel across critical collateral for a wide variety of audiences from our teachers to our donors. And you’ll work closely with our regional team and national partners as we continue to strengthen our communications and marketing strategy in pursuit of our mission.
Creating clarity and inspiration about TFA-BFLO’s work and impact, the M, D&C maximizes awareness, understanding and investment from our network and partners in TFA-BFLO: The M, D&C: is a stickler for data and tracks investment of our donors, network and community partners to fine-tune and target our message to steward and invest our network.
Coordinate External Stewardship Operations (15%)
- Maintain a comprehensive fundraising database and files that includes accurate donor information (background research, biography, etc.)
- Efficiently track all communications, actions, events, and fundraising commitments for each donor and provide team with progress to goal and benchmark information
- Process gifts; write, manage and track gift acknowledgements
- Work closely with the Executive Director to manage the calendar of all development activities and to maximize opportunities that span multiple funding streams
- Create meeting agendas for Development meetings
Provide Administrative Support (10%)
- Assume a proactive role in increasing the efficiency and organization of the Development Team
- Prepare meeting packets, toolkits, and mailings
- Schedule and manage project plan for brand-building and fundraising events
Communications Clearing House (25%)
- Create and manage communications system to share updates, events and stories that drive investment in our work and clarity about our progress to goal for: regional staff, corps members, alumni, donors and community partners.
- Communicate with corps members regarding events and distribution of tickets, events or opportunities offered by board members and donors
- Manage corps member responsibilities in the Sponsor A Teacher program through regular communication of expectations and deadlines, tracking corps member participation, and engaging corps members in conversations around the importance of the program
- Identify, recruit and train corps members to engage with external supporters and manage all corps member interactions with development efforts
Support Cultivation and Stewardship of Donors and Prospects (20%)
- Work closely with the Executive Director to plan and execute a sequence of communications, actions and events for each donor in the portfolio to increase their understanding of and commitment to Teach For America
- Support the Executive Director in producing high-quality written communications by:
- Drafting, proofreading and editing communications
- Compiling data and supplementary materials (financial reports, news articles, statistics on programmatic initiatives, corps member/alumni anecdotes, etc.)
- Partnering with the national marketing team to adapt templates and other materials as needed
- Collect and synthesize relevant statistics, stories, and anecdotes to be used by the team in tailoring donor pitches and meeting materials, and network communications
- Planning and running inspiring events and school visits including: managing all logistics and preparation; creating and compiling materials; coordinating hosts, corps members, alumni and speakers, and managing execution of follow-up
Manage Development Operations (15%)
- Maintaining a comprehensive fundraising database and files that includes accurate donor information (background research, biography, etc.)
- Efficiently tracking all communications, actions, events, and fundraising commitments for each donor in the portfolio
- Processing gifts as well as writing, managing and tracking gift acknowledgements
Conduct Prospect Research and Data Analysis (10%)
- Conduct research to identify potential donors to add to region’s prospect list specifically looking for evidence of whether a prospect is mission-aligned, has capacity to contribute and whether there are existing connections we can leverage to get in front of the prospect
- Conduct research on new and existing donors to identify motivations and barriers to contributing to our organization and potential levers to deepen their connection to and support of our work
- Prepare tailored meeting briefs and materials based on research and analysis
- At least 2 years of work experience
- Proficiency using CRM software
- Experience creating websites and interactive content
- Experience crafting communications used to invest and influence large groups of people across lines of difference.
- Strong writing skills
- Exceptional strategic and critical thinking skills, specifically ability to think big, generate ideas and implement solutions to complex problems
Skills
- Synthesizing & Integrating Skills - Ability to translate data into actionable solutions; Exceptional strategic and critical thinking skills
- Independent self-starter—enjoys starting projects and can successfully self-manage to see the project through to completion
- Constant learner—actively seeks, embraces, and incorporates regular feedback from manager, peers, and direct reports
- Generative and strategic thinker—can analyze past, current, and hypothetical future circumstances in order to generate creative solutions to capitalize on strengths and mitigate weaknesses
- Thrives in complex environments—is enthused about taking on complex projects where the exact answer is unclear or the problem isn’t easily solvable, yet still maintains a problem-solving orientation in the pursuit of creative solutions
- Communicating Effectively with Others—differentiates communication methods and styles to appeal and engage diverse constituents
- Strong attention to detail—adept at managing multiple moving parts, minimizing errors, and learning quickly from past mistakes.
- Exceeds expectations—exemplifies strong self-awareness and constantly aspires for excellence in all responsibilities of the role
Work Demands
- Some weekend and evening work expected.
- Some travel required