POSITION TITLE: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR
MISSION:To disrupt the cycle of homelessness and nurture healing and belongingfor current and future generations.
VISION:A compassionate community where everyone has a home and the opportunity to thrive.
PROGRAM: Community Engagement
SUPPORTED BY: Executive Director
SALARY RANGE: Level 11 - $77,581-$93,472/annually, exempt
Candidate offers consider experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Entry salary typically in the first third of the range.
BENEFITS PACKAGE: Paid time off for this position includes up to 4 weekly wellness hours, 19 days of PTO in the first year of employment (PTO includes sick time), and 13 paid holidays per year. Other benefits include agency-sponsored medical/dental insurance (current premium covered at rate of 100% for the employee), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), premium Calm meditation app subscription, and employer retirement plan contribution (current rate of matching contribution up to 3%) after first year of employment. Lydia Place also provides a supportive, family-friendly work culture with flexible scheduling.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Community Engagement Director is responsible for developing, managing, and executing the budget, financial policy compliance, and goals of the Community Engagement Program, centering Lydia Place’s values and community centric philosophy. The Director is responsible for a multi-million dollar fundraising budget annually, overseeing agency fundraising events, grants and impacts, and meeting annual donor cultivation goals; coordinating community outreach, advocacy and education; assisting in grant writing for special projects and funding opportunities; supervising the Community Engagement Program team; being a spokesperson in the community; participating on community commissions, councils, boards, and networking organizations; and collaborating with community members, donors, volunteers, staff, Lydia Place’s leadership team, and the Board of Directors. This role is highly collaborative both internally and externally and requires a high level of flexibility.
LYDIA PLACE VALUES:
COMMUNITY
We believe strong healthy communities are the foundation to a better world.
EQUITY
We believe it is our responsibility to actively challenge systems of oppression. We recognize a majority of those experiencing homelessness have been marginalized.
UPSTREAM IMPACT
We believe that the best way to eliminate homelessness is to look beyond short-term solutions and focus on breaking the generational cycle of poverty.
EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
We value each other as humans first. We know that the best outcomes for our clients and our community are achieved when our team is healthy and thriving.
TO APPLY: Email resume and detailed cover letter outlining your interest, qualifications, experience, or information that may not be encompassed in your resume such as lived experience that as it relates to this position, in attached .doc or .pdf format to HR & Operations Manager, Haley Sullivan at [email protected]. You may also submit hard copy materials via PO BOX 28487 Bellingham, WA 98228. Position open until filled.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: Lydia Place is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on the basis of race, sex/gender, religion/creed, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, national origin, genetic markers, military or veteran's status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Real-world experience has value in the workplace. Individuals who identify with non-dominant groups, who have experienced poverty and had first-hand knowledge working with system resources, and who have relevant, lived experience equivalent to minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrated experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Fundraising, Communications, Social Sciences, Business, Public Administration, or related field AND Two years of leadership and supervisory experience
Minimum of four years of cultivation of major donors and financial gifts or sales experience
Minimum of four years of event planning and coordination or related experience
Proven track record of community-based partnership building and participation
Demonstrated effectiveness in public speaking and a proven track record of successful fundraising
Experience in managing dynamic program budgets
Experience with grant writing and reporting
Skilled in use of relevant computer, software, and web programs/social media including but not limited to: Microsoft Suite, Adobe Suite, Facebook, X, Instagram, WordPress, and cloud-based internet software
Experience working with and leading diverse groups of people
Completion of background investigation that includes social security verification, professional reference checks, and a federal criminal background investigation
Valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle and proof of insurance required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Proficiency in Spanish, Russian, or Sign Language
Experience in Community Centric Fundraising Principles and their application
Proficient in CRM donor software, event planning software, and electronic communication platforms (eTapestry/Blackbaud, Greater Giving, Constant Contact, MailChimp, or similar software/programs)
Experience in graphic design
REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES:
Anti-Oppressive Lens
Must be able to adopt anti-oppression, anti-racist, and trauma-informed framework to navigate complex systems of racism, poverty, homelessness, violence against women and children and other systems of oppression.
Effective Communication
Must be able to read and interpret documents, write reports, correspond verbally and in writing with clarity, and must embody active listening skills. Must be able to ask for help when needed and offer help to others when appropriate as well as give and receive feedback. Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.
Initiative
Ability to assess and identify actions to address issues independently while knowing when to ask for appropriate support.
Organization
Effectively able to manage time and develop and carry out complex timelines and action plans. Able to follow policies and procedures.
Integrity
Responsible, reliable, and accountable for actions in all settings. Open and honest about own strengths, limitations, and boundaries. Able to maintain confidentiality and commitments.
Emotional Intelligence
Must have an awareness of own emotions and be able to manage them while also being able to understand and respond appropriately to the emotions of others. Effectively manage disagreements. Ability to manage frequent high stress situations.
Open-mindedness
Adept at holding space for opposing ideas and embrace diversity in all areas of the workplace.
Courage
Willingness to step outside of your comfort zone to address uncertainty, fear, discomfort, inequities.
Curiosity
Positive change and innovation requires that we ask questions. The why’s, why nots, and what-ifs are crucial to this work and we encourage and expect employees to ask questions. We look for curiosity about ourselves, our workplace, the people, and families we serve, and the larger community.
Flexibility
Able to adapt and pivot as situations arise that are unexpected and/or challenging. Embrace needed change and manage well when faced with ambiguity.
Creativity
Thinking outside the box, resourcefulness, trying new things, approaching things differently and moving beyond the status quo.
Collaboration
Embraces a team approach with colleagues, community partners, and can work both individually and part of a team when needed. Supports organizations goals and values.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
FUNDRAISING/DONOR CULTIVATION (.4 FTE):
Oversee the annual events calendar and program income and expense budgets in collaboration with the Executive Director and Community Engagement/Development Committee of the Board that includes, but is not limited to 8 established major events, as well as special and one-time benefiting events organized by outside entities on the agency’s behalf
Oversee and collaborate to develop and implement work plans for each event, including sourcing $200,000+ in direct event sponsorships annually, cultivate direct “ASK” donations and guest attendance, and procurement of silent and live auction items
Leverage partnerships to improve ROI, reduce expenses to meet agency budgets, and support cross program needs; oversee the management of direct client benefit programs such as donor drives, vouchers for clothing and furniture, food, local activities, holiday gifts, etc.
Attend and coordinate staff and volunteers for events and outreach opportunities and participate in the packing, moving, transporting, set-up and tear-down of equipment and inventory
Develop, implement, and oversee work plans for all financial and cultivation campaigns, including but not limited to: e-newsletters, annual End of Year publication, Quarterly Housing Heroes videos, client voice and impact videos
Maintain excellent donor and sponsor records using eTapestry CRM software, Greater Giving software, and electronic mailing platforms to ensure a careful, thoughtful, and balanced identification, cultivation, solicitation and retention effort; including but not limited to: phone calls, thank you notes, and emails
Work with staff and Board to cultivate private donors, major gifts, business partnerships, and legacy giving
Seek and create special events with community partners throughout the year for one-time and ongoing engagement opportunities
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION, AND DEVELOPMENT (.3 FTE):
Provide leadership, guidance, and inspire teamwork for the agency’s staff and volunteers to meet agency goals
Responsible for the management/coordination of Community Engagement Program team employees:
Hire, supervise, and retain qualified and diverse staff members and volunteers
Ensure that all program activities and staff conduct comply with the agency’s policies, procedures, rules and standards
Provide mentorship and coaching to staff; evaluate employee performance, providing corrective action as needed, including termination when required
Assist in the writing of grants and the development of internal and external reports; oversee and collaborate with the Manager of Grants, Contracts, and Impact (MGCI) to develop and implement strategies and timelines for grant and foundation funding opportunities and support them to cultivate over $600,000 in non-governmental grant and foundation gifts annually
Oversee the agency’s internal development, partnership, marketing, graphics, and communication, events and volunteer programs and corresponding data entry/reporting/compliance/licensure
Serve as staff representative on the Community Engagement Committee of the Board and other staff committees as requested
Participate in Board of Director meetings and activities as requested by the Executive Director
Work with the Executive Director in the planning, development, and implementation of organizational and programmatic goals, strategic plans, and objectives; develop operational documents, forms, policies and procedures, and budget recommendations accordingly
OUTREACH & COMMUNITY EDUCATION (.3 FTE):
Serve as a spokesperson for the agency at community meetings and presentations as requested
Maintain positive relationships with other non-profit organizations, government agencies, donors, and community supporters
Seek and facilitate positive public relations via written correspondence, phone conversations or public speaking.
Coordinate and oversee the publication and distribution of all printed material
Create and maintain opportunities for public awareness and outreach by serving on committees and community boards, attending government council meetings, commissions and work groups, and cross county networking groups and organizations
Manage the agency’s use of digital communication tools including social media and agency website to raise community awareness of Lydia Place and our work, and to maximize fundraising and community engagement
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. While performing these job duties, the employee is regularly required to listen to others and provide verbal feedback. The employee is required to sit for extended periods of time. Employee also is frequently required to stand, walk, climb, or balance, and must be willing and able to drive the agency box truck.