Summary

Description

The Director of Development & Communications is a key member of the leadership team, responsible for driving philanthropic growth and elevating the Conservancy’s public profile. This role blends strategic fundraising leadership with communications oversight to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability and visibility. This role includes clear performance expectations, including securing $150,000 in new annual donor revenue over three years, while leading strategic fundraising and communications efforts that support the Conservancy’s long-term growth.

This position is based in our Denver office near Civic Center Park. A regular hybrid schedule may be established based on performance, job responsibilities, and organizational needs after successful completion of three to six months of onboarding.

• Establish and meet multi-year fundraising growth targets, including securing at least $150,000 in new annual donor revenue over the next three years through expanded individual and corporate giving.
• Lead the creation of an annual development plan. The plan includes the budget, benchmarks, retention, priority setting, growth strategies and tactics for annual, major and principal individual giving, corporate and foundation giving, and any related events.
• Lead execution of all aspects of the annual development plan, adjusting as necessary and generating regular progress reports. 
• Collaborate with staff leadership to develop and own the philanthropic components of the organization’s overall revenue strategy.

• Lead efforts to establish and grow programs targeted at growing the base of individual donors at various levels, prioritizing Major Gifts.
• Lead efforts to establish and grow programs targeted at increasing corporate philanthropy.
• Lead efforts to build and manage a robust pipeline of new donor prospects, with a focus on converting relationships into sustained financial support aligned with annual and multi-year revenue goals.
• Regularly engage with current and prospective individual and corporate donors via face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and other methods.
• Develop and provide staff leadership of protocols for donor stewardship and benefit fulfillment.
• Develop and lead stewardship and donor communication efforts. Support the execution as required.
• Develop, organize, prioritize and track prospect lists (individual, corporate, and foundation) and decide the appropriate vehicle and campaign for outreach.
• Support and partner with Executive Director and Board on all major fundraising initiatives.

• Support the strategy, planning, and execution of The Campaign for Civic Center, including donor cultivation, volunteer engagement, and principal gift solicitation in partnership with the Executive Director, Board and campaign counsel.
• Depending on background and experience, specific duties may include:
  • Recruitment and management of fundraising volunteers.
  • Research and cultivation of prospective donors.
  • Working alongside Executive Director and Campaign Counsel to prepare for donor meetings.
  • Soliciting, as a team member or leader, principal gift asks.
  • Alongside development team, track campaign data, facilitate donor follow-up and stewardship.

• Continually audit, analyze, adapt, and develop internal systems to support stewardship, tracking, and cultivation.
• Provide reports for the Executive Director, Board, and committees on the status of fundraising efforts.

• Execute and manage stewardship and fundraising-focused events as called for in the annual development plan with support from Development Committee and other Civic Center Conservancy staff or external contractors.

• Lead the development and execution of a strategic communications plan that supports fundraising, advocacy, and public engagement goals.
• Ensure consistent messaging across all platforms and audiences.
• Lead CCC communication efforts, including social media, newsletter, and website while providing management and oversight of staff and external contractors.
• Work with team to create communication strategies integrating information, event, and fundraising efforts into a cohesive strategy annually, seasonally, and by event.

• Support Executive Director in contributing to the Conservancy’s strategic planning process, identifying opportunities and challenges, and helping develop strategies to address them.
• Staff and lead board Development committee, including agenda setting in collaboration with Development Chair
• Work alongside Executive Director to facilitate board training and engagement strategies- especially concerning fundraising.
• Support other areas of the organization as requested, including various aspects of on-site support at Conservancy programs and external events where the Conservancy has a presence.

• The Director of Development & Communications has supervisory responsibility over the Development Coordinator and will work with this position on the following:
  • Maintaining the donor database for use by organization stakeholders.
  • Development-related administrative tasks, including thank-you notes, acknowledgment letters, and database entries.
  • Documenting and tracking benefit fulfillment for individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
  • Grant research, applications & tracking – as the annual development plan dictates.
  • The planning and execution of Civic Center Sparkles volunteer program, including both corporate and public engagement.
  • Supporting the Development Coordinator and their growth while providing oversight in executing specific development campaign components like sponsorship solicitations, donor stewardship, and the Cultivators Collective.

• A background that includes five or more years of successful experience with the duties and responsibilities outlined in this document.
• Proven success in major gifts, individual giving, and capital campaign strategy.
• Strong understanding of donor cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising communications.
• Experience managing staff, contractors, and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent speaking, writing, and listening communication skills.
• Proficiency with donor CRM systems (we currently use Little Green Light).
• Strong project management and time management skills, with the ability to work independently and meet overlapping deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small team environment.
• Passion for parks, public spaces, and civic engagement.
• The ability to act as a leader, a collaborator, and an individual contributor depending on the situation.
• Experience working with or on behalf of diverse communities and a commitment to equity and inclusion in fundraising and communications.
• Experience advocating and positioning with governmental entities and elected officials.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• A personal style that enhances team experience.

Civic Center Conservancy is at a pivotal moment of growth and impact. You’ll join a passionate, collaborative team working to revitalize one of Denver’s most iconic public spaces. This is a unique opportunity to shape a high-visibility development program and leave a legacy in the heart of the city. You’ll have the opportunity to shape a high-impact development strategy, elevate a beloved civic space, and work alongside a committed team and engaged board.

You are a strategic, relationship-driven fundraising professional with a passion for public spaces and community engagement. You thrive in small, entrepreneurial environments and bring a track record of success in individual giving, major gifts, and capital campaigns. You’re a compelling communicator, a collaborative leader, and a systems thinker who can balance vision with execution. You’re motivated by the opportunity to play an integral role in shaping the future of one of Denver’s most iconic public spaces.

Annual salary range of $90,000 to $110,000, based on knowledge, skill set and experience, paid twice per month. This position includes a performance-based bonus structure tied to organizational revenue growth, milestones and donor engagement metrics.

Eligible for all benefits available to full-time CCC employees, including medical, dental, vision, life, parking/transportation stipend, access to a 401k and Flexible PTO policy.

In addition to the above benefits, Civic Center Conservancy is a Qualified Employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.

The Conservancy believes in the professional development of each team member and has a budget for each to participate in professional development and community networking opportunities.