Director Of Community Engagement

YWCA Northeast Kansas is seeking a dedicated fundraising and communications professional to join their dynamic leadership team!

Along with your resume, please include a cover letter identifying your relevant skills, experience, and passion for YWCA's mission, along with two writing samples. Applications will not be considered until all additional materials are provided.

Job Classification: Full time, Exempt

Work Schedule: Mutually determined, some evenings and weekends required

Salary: $60,000 to $70,000

Reporting Relationship: YWCA CEO

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Community Engagement is responsible for providing leadership for all aspects of the comprehensive fundraising effort, and day-to-day management for all community engagement programs, including fund development, marketing and communications advocacy, and public education for YWCA Northeast Kansas. The Director of Community Engagement collaborates closely with the senior leadership team and Board of Directors to develop and implement strategies to secure philanthropic support, while advancing YWCA's mission throughout the community. The Director of Community Engagement is responsible for meeting or surpassing the agency's fundraising goal.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Leadership & Community Engagement

• Manages the Community Engagement team, providing guidance, support, and mentorship.
• Fosters a collaborative and cross-functional work environment through effective internal communication practices and cooperation.
• Collaborates with the CEO to develop and manage annual Fund Development budget and strategy to ensure the agency is adequately resourced.
• Facilitates or participates in public presentations about topics aligned with the agency's mission.
• Represents YWCA Northeast Kansas at public meetings and events as needed.
• Maintains an active role in the fundraising community, keeping up-to-date with the latest funding trends and priorities of funders/donors.

Fund Development

• Collaborate with CEO and Resource Development Committee to develop and implement short and long-term development plans, including goals, strategies, and tactics for sustainable growth.
• Work with program staff and the Resource Development Committee to align fundraising efforts with YWCA's mission and goals, ensuring donor relationships are effectively cultivated and nurtured.
• Identify donor prospects, develop cultivation strategies, and manage a portfolio of major gift and planned giving donors, including those at small gatherings and fundraising events.
• Provides direction, coordination, and support of assigned portfolio, including production of grant proposals and fund requests for private and public sector donors.
• Directs the delivery of the corporate sponsorship program, soliciting and securing donors, and implementing sponsorship benefits.
• Develop and execute fundraising events, including the Concealed Revealed Art Auction (April) and Women of Excellence Awards (September).
• Directs the annual Board Gift Campaign, reviewing solicitation letters, tracking donations, and ensuring board members receive consistent communication, as requested.
• Maintains a comprehensive record of all incoming funds (whether online, by check, or in cash) for the YWCA, through a structured tracking system to ensure accurate documentation and transparency regarding financial inflows.
• Track, report, and recognize donor contributions in an accurate and timely fashion.

Marketing and Communications

• Build cross-functional relationships with internal stakeholders to align marketing and communications goals and deliverables effectively.
• Assesses marketing and communication effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Serves as main media contact, drafting talking points, press releases, and on the record remarks as needed.
• Develops advocacy strategies to advance public policy priorities aligned with YWCA's mission.

Other Position Functions

• Refrains from assuming any duty that is unrelated to and/or interferes with the responsibilities of the position.
• Develops, promotes, practices teamwork and open communication in all activities.
• Assists in maintaining the operational functions of the YWCA Northeast Kansas headquarters, including serving as a substitute for the front desk as needed.
• Other duties as associated by the supervisor and CEO. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee holding this position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

At a minimum, the Director of Community Engagement must have a Bachelor's degree. In addition, the Director of Community Engagement shall have:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in resource development (5 years preferred), with at least 2 years of experience in a leadership role.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects, meeting strict deadlines, while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge and experience of computer applications such as word processing, Excel, Canva, and other graphic design applications.
• Dedication to relationship building and commitment to work as an integral part of a team while exercising significant initiative and autonomy.
• Commitment to the YWCA's mission and values, including a strong focus on racial equity and social justice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Work Environment: Office
• Lifting Requirement: 50 pounds
• Travel Requirements:

Occasional travel in local community

Valid driver’s license

Transportation.

Auto insurance.

• Pass various background checks

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to cheri@ywcaneks.org. Applicants will be required to pass background checks prior to hiring.

NON DISCRIMINATION:

YWCA Northeast Kansas is committed to enacting anti-racist policies, practices, and organizational structures aimed at dismantling white supremacy in all of its manifestations. YWCA understands that racial inequities sit at the foundation of all forms of oppression. The organization strives to build an intersectional, trauma-responsive organizational culture and apply these lenses in the ways they interact with one another. They recognize that anti-racism is not an endpoint, but, rather, a continuous and iterative practice that requires collective and organizational learning, accountability, and action.

YWCA is an equal opportunity employer that honors and values diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender identity or expression, religion, sexual orientation, or (dis)ability. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, refugees, people with (dis)abilities, gender queer, and members of LGBTQI+ communities, as well as survivors and individuals from other underrepresented and historically marginalized communities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evenings as needed
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person