As newly created leadership position, the Managing Director of Development Communications will join Audubon during this pivotal time and help reinvent Audubon’s approach to development communications. Audubon seeks a dynamic, strategic leader with a demonstrated ability to build out and run a top-notch development communications shop. In close partnership with the Vice President for Strategic Giving and working in collaboration with the Development leadership team and key executives across the organization. The Managing Director will serve as the chief architect of Audubon’s donor communication efforts.
S/he will assess and strengthen donor communications initiatives in addition to developing and overseeing new strategic donor communications efforts including but not limited to. The implementation of an organization-wide fundraising messaging framework, the creation of a dedicated donor stewardship function within Development Communications, and the establishment an annual leadership giving fund.
The successful candidate will be a strategic and creative communicator and team leader with a keen sense of the prospect lifecycle and how best to support development staff in engaging donors through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. S/he must have the ability to work effectively and quickly in an entrepreneurial environment as well as a demonstrated track record in building, managing, and mentoring highly effective, diverse teams.
One of the most critical qualifications for this position is the ability to build and maintain excellent working relationships across the organization, managing up, down, and sideways with ease and professionalism. Effective collaboration across the development team as well as relevant business units (e.g. Executive Office, Conservation, Network, Communications, Finance, etc.) is a pre-requisite for success.
- Developing and implement a comprehensive and integrated donor communications plan to support Audubon’s development efforts across the country.
- Oversee the Development Communications team of three (currently one writer/editor, one writer and one graphic designer), which is likely to expand in the coming year.
- Design and execute a comprehensive and scalable stewardship program including gift acknowledgements, fund reporting, principal gift stewardship, special acknowledgements, recognition societies, and high-level stewardship touches—with a primary focus on six, seven, and eight-figure donors and prospects, while also delivering a scalable stewardship program for annual giving and assisting in reporting to private foundations on institutional grants.
- Develop and implement a new leadership annual giving program to create a new, sustainable revenue stream.
- Develop and lead the implementation of an organization-wide training plan for the organization’s first ever messaging framework for fundraising.
- Design and implement a comprehensive development communications strategy (including the creation of necessary materials) specific to leadership donors in advance of a future campaign launch.
- Serve as the creative director and executive editor for a wide variety of donor materials including case materials, stewardship pieces, proposals, reports, backgrounders / brochures, presentations, letters, mailings, etc.
- Work with internal stakeholders to understand programmatic goals for new and existing funding programs, and write/update/edit/review proposals and other donor collateral as needed.
- Assess and build upon internal communications for Development with an eye towards strengthening development culture and fostering the integration of staff from across the country into one team.
- Manage relationships with relevant external consultants/vendors.
- Superior and distinctive writing ability demonstrated through 8-10 years of relevant, progressively responsible writing and strategic messaging experience in a fundraising setting (environmental experience is ideal but not required).
- Strong communication and editing skills, with experience giving constructive feedback to peers/staff.
- Excellent project management, including proactive and independent development of work plans, timelines, and budgets.
- A good eye for design; experience art-directing and conveying messaging goals to graphic designers; a thorough working knowledge of print production; ability to shepherd print publications from concept to delivery.
- Ability to initiate and manage relationships with internal and external partners.
- Strong analytical skills and well-developed business acumen; natural relationship management instincts; savvy for gaining buy-in from various stakeholders.
- Orientation as a team player and leader with strong management skills.
- A metrics-driven, entrepreneurial, strategic mindset.
- The ability to succeed in a distinct and dynamic culture.
- Strong knowledge of the principles of fundraising.
- Ability to easily network and establish rapport and connections with individuals and groups.
- Ability to maintain a high level of diplomacy, and to work independently as well as part of a team.
- An advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Flexibility and a sense of humor.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant software programs.