Chief Development and Communications Officer

Position Description:

The San Antonio Education Partnership, a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization, seeks a motivated professional to serve as Chief Development and Communications Officer.

The Chief Development and Communications Officer (CDCO) leads San Antonio Education Partnerships (SAEP) business development efforts including fundraising, donor engagement, alumni relations, marketing, communications, and events to support SAEPs mission. Consistently demonstrates SAEP core values of communication, integrity, excellence, respect, innovation, and teamwork.

The San Antonio Education Partnership - Since 1989, the San Antonio Education Partnership has been on a mission to create college opportunities, access, and success for our community. The goal of SAEP is to close the college attainment gap for San Antonio by supporting youth and adults to enroll in college and earn a college degree and/or certificate.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Develops and implements a comprehensive Development and Communications plan, providing strategic advice on external and internal communications, branding, and messaging.

Serves on the Senior Leadership Team which provides strategic guidance on organizational vision and mission execution while cultivating a healthy work culture.

Fundraising

In partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors, develops and implements a strategic and diversified outreach and fundraising plan that meets annual goals and anticipates future needs and growth objectives.

Creates and implements strategies to identify and secure partnerships with corporations and foundations that reflect their marketing and business needs as well as their philanthropic and community engagement goals.

Creates and implements strategies to identify and secure new individual supporters, fully leverage existing relationships, increase multi-year commitments, and maintain or elevate current commitments.

As appropriate, outreaches current and prospective stakeholders with the CEO and/or Board Members to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships.

Engages agency leadership, management, and board in development and fundraising activities.

Serves as professional lead for SAEP fundraising events.

Plans, develops, and implements a calendar of fundraising campaigns.

Stays abreast of outreach, development, and fundraising best practices and philanthropic trends.

Donor Management

Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of current and future major individual donors with the potential to contribute ongoing major gifts.

Identifies major donor philanthropic interests and provides an opportunity to realize an outstanding philanthropic experience through the charitable investment of time, advocacy, and financial support to SAEP.

Responsible for maintaining, retaining, and increasing major gift donors.

Manages identification and cultivation of new corporate and foundation partnerships as well as the grant proposal, compliance, and reporting processes for these supporters and manages ongoing relationships with these entities.

Ensures diversity and sustainability of the SAEP donor base.

Ensures accuracy of donor database information while continually growing the donor database.

Provides oversight of the development business process from donor identification through collections to stewardship.

Marketing and Communications

Develops and implements a strategic communications plan for external and internal communications. Serves as lead storyteller.

Leads agency branding, marketing, public relations, internal communications, and community outreach initiatives, ensuring consistent messaging and a positive reputation.

Develops marketing and communications strategy and materials that reflect SAEP goals, local impact, and community need.

Attends and represents SAEP at community outreach and other special events.

Serves as agency spokesperson.

Stays abreast of social media trends and creates initiatives that engage and motivate community involvement with SAEP.

Manages ongoing engagement with SAEP alumni.

Directs strategies to increase client participation.

Supervises and manages Marketing and Communications Coordinator.

Organizational Management

Manages the Development and Communications budget, including detailed revenue and expenses, and reports as required to CEO and CFO.

Manages data dashboards for all funder deliverables and agency metrics.

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the CEO.

Qualifications

Masters degree from an accredited college in the field of marketing, communications, business, English, creative writing, or other related discipline or a bachelor's degree in relevant fields plus 8 years+ of equivalent relevant professional experience.

Experience in community cultivation, nonprofit management, sales, and communications.

Fundraising experience with progressive responsibilities and demonstrated success in building and managing a strategic development program in a nonprofit environment.

Demonstrated experience directly securing individual, corporate, and foundation support through cultivation, retention, and solicitation activities.

Strong base of knowledge of all aspects of fundraising including foundation and corporate relations, grant writing and management, special events, and individual giving programs.

Proven ability to meet or exceed ambitious fundraising goals.

Commitment to helping the organization implement systems and structures to support significant growth.

Works with a mindset of continuous improvement.

Strategic, analytical approach combined with a strong work ethic, interpersonal professionalism, and ability to create and foster relationships.

Strong supervisory and managerial skills.

Exceptional oral and written communication skills with an ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences. Confident in public speaking and speaking with the media.

Strong and efficient use of Microsoft Office Suite and donor software. Experience in Salesforce preferred.

Excellent organizational skills, ability to handle multiple tasks, and think critically.

Deep understanding of San Antonio Education Partnership mission.

Bilingual ability in English and Spanish preferred.

Valid drivers license and an insured personal vehicle.

Working conditions

This position may require some evening and weekend hours.

This position is located within an office at 131 El Paso St., San Antonio, TX 78204.

Physical requirements

Subject to sitting, standing, and walking to perform the essential job functions.

Direct reports

One (1) direct report to this position.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, rsum, and 23 work samples that demonstrate relevant experience in fundraising, donor communications, marketing, or public relations. Examples may include grant proposals, donor appeals, campaign materials, press releases, strategic communication plans, or published articles. If proprietary or confidential information prevents sharing full documents, please provide excerpts or anonymized samples.

Salary: $90,000 and up commensurate with experience + full-time benefits to include health, dental, life, Paid Time Off, and 401(K) plan with match

The San Antonio Education Partnership is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer