Sr. Director of Development and Communications

Native American Connections (NAC) is seeking a dynamic and ambitious Sr. Director of Development and Communications (DODC) to lead the organization’s fundraising, managing the organization's public image through communication strategies (public relations). This position is responsible for crafting and executing a comprehensive development strategy, leading the development and communications team, managing donor relations, overseeing grant applications, and expanding revenue sources including growing NAC’s community engagement efforts. This individual plays a critical role in shaping the organization’s public image, managing media relations, and enhancing brand reputation.

The DODC will lead NAC’s communications strategy, enhancing donor communications, case visibility through the media, digital platforms, and public relations to amplify NAC’s impact.

The DODC will collaborate closely with the President/CEO and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to align messaging with mission objectives, oversee content creation, and ensure consistent voice for organizational communications.

The ideal DODC will bring significant experience in foundation relations, government and public-sector funding, corporate partnerships, and individual giving, along with a strong command of development communications strategies and practices necessary for success in the role. As a member of the SLT, this position requires strong leadership, organizational, strategic thinking, and relationship-building skills. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of managing a development team and have a strong passion for NAC’s mission.

Development Leadership -

• Responsible for leadership of the organization’s overall fundraising strategy, and for establishing and achieving annual development goals and objectives in accordance with the organization’s mission and development operations plan.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with key donors, prospects, and constituents, including individuals as well as foundations, and the government public and corporate sectors.
• Oversee the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts, ensuring personalized engagement and communication. Develop and execute strategies for growing the major gifts portfolio, including setting goals and tracking progress.
• Develop and implement comprehensive development strategies, including major gifts, annual giving, and individual giving.
• Research, identify, and help realize new funding opportunities.
• Assess and analyze the effectiveness of fundraising efforts and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Directs the writing of funding proposals, grants, letters, the annual report, special event materials, and other fundraising support documentation.
• Oversee the stewardship, gift accounting, and reporting functions, ensuring that all donors receive acknowledgement of their gifts.
• Oversee the management of the donor and volunteer database. Implement and maintain a robust database to track interactions, giving history, and engagement levels.

Communications Leadership -

• Working closely with the President/CEO, develop and work with the team to implement a comprehensive communications strategy to build brand awareness, engage the community, and position NAC as a leader in its field.
• Handle internal and external organization communications.
• Oversee all PR activities, including media relations, organization communications, and crisis management.
• Manage media inquiries and coordinate interviews with NAC spokespeople.
• Ensure consistent messaging and communication across all NAC channels.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of press releases, articles, and other PR materials.
• Collaborate with the SLT to develop engaging and informative PR content.
• Oversee content creation for various channels (website, social media, newsletters, press releases, and donor communications) to ensure consistency and alignment with the organization’s mission and messaging.
• Collaborate closely with the President/CEO to set and execute development objectives aligned with NAC’s mission and strategic plan.
• Establish measurable goals and track performance indicators to evaluate and optimize the success of fundraising efforts.
• Develop and implement social media strategies to enhance the NAC’s online presence and engagement.
• Monitor and manage the organization’s online reputation through digital channels.
• Plan and execute PR events such as press conferences, product launches, and media briefings.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to ensure successful event execution.
• Work with the development team to plan and execute successful special events as needed.
• Actively seeks and maintains positive relationships with business partners, governmental entities, donors, volunteers, the community at large, and other public agencies to increase knowledge and enhance partnerships.

Senior Leadership Team Responsibilities -

• Work closely with the President/CEO and SLT to lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of current and prospective donors, both individual and institutional, such as foundations, government public and corporate sectors.
• Serve as a member of the SLT and participate in organization-wide initiatives such as strategic planning, and process improvements overall.
• Manage the Development and Communications team and serve as an internal advocate for the team’s goals and needs.
• Collaborate with the SLT to establish annual goals and long-term strategic plans that align with NAC’s mission.
• Lead and mentor the team, fostering a culture of high performance and innovation.
• Ensure the team has the skills and resources necessary to support the NAC’s objectives
• Manage the development and communications budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and alignment with organizational goals. Monitor spending and ROI to ensure cost-effective use of funds.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated nonprofit development and leadership experience, with 8+ years of successfully soliciting individual gifts and foundation gifts, government, public and corporate sector funding.
• Proven skill in writing and managing federal, private and foundation grants.
• Consistent, demonstrated success in managing large-scale fundraising initiatives and strategies to drive substantial revenue growth for the organization.
• Possess an entrepreneurial mindset to the identification of emerging trends and innovative fundraising models, moving beyond traditional nonprofit fundraising to drive sustainable growth and will advocate for the NAC's mission, fostering a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
• Communications and PR expertise is strongly preferred.
• Proven management experience, especially in nonprofit work environments.
• Experience with juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced nonprofit environment with strong organizational, project management, leadership skills, and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Powerful skills of persuasion and influence reflected in all aspects of communication; with the ability to tell a compelling story that educates and persuades.
• Deep understanding of public relations principles, strategies, and best practices.
• Knowledge of media relations, corporate communications, and crisis management.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans aligned with business objectives.
• Experience in providing strategic communications recommendations to SLT.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire a team.
• Experience in working collaboratively with other senior executives.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges.
• Versatile communication skills with the ability to connect meaningfully with all stakeholders and to present impactful presentations that inspire action.
• Mastered the art of persuasion and negotiation, excelled in tailoring compelling pitches to diverse audiences, driving successful partnerships, and expanding the client/patient base.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to think creatively and develop innovative strategies and materials.
• Experience in leading creative teams and projects.
• Experience working with Native American organizations or tribal governments is preferred.
• Awareness and keen appreciation of Indian traditions, customs and socioeconomic needs, or willingness to learn; an ability at times to meet and deal effectively with tribal governments and Indian health organizations consisting of numerous tribes with varied cultures. Tact, courtesy, discretion, resourcefulness, and good judgment in handling functions of a sensitive nature.
• Previous experience as a Sr. Director or C-Suite level experience in a nonprofit healthcare and housing setting is preferred.

Education -

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree or higher preferred in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, development, marketing, or a related field. MBA is highly desired.

Salary Range: $110,000 - $130,000

INDIAN PREFERENCE: Preference may be given to qualified Native American Indians according to the Indian Preference Hiring Act, CFR 25 USC 472. Other than Indian Preference, Native American Connections, Inc. adheres to all provisions of the Equal Employment Opportunities Act.