VP of Community Engagement

At the San Diego Rescue Mission, we are driven by a profound belief in compassion, service, and the transformative power of Jesus' love. Our mission goes beyond charity; it is a calling to love our neighbors and provide hope and healing to those experiencing homelessness. We are committed to creating a holistic approach to recovery and rehabilitation, ensuring that our programs serve as safe havens for men, women, and children in need.

Position Summary:

The Vice President of Community Engagement oversees how the Mission engages the broader community of businesses, churches, foundations and individuals in our work to heal our region from homelessness. The primary objective is to deepen relationships across all audiences to reach higher levels of awareness, serving, giving, participating and advocacy. The ultimate goal is to change the narrative and activate the community to play an active role in our regional approach to alleviate homelessness immediately through Outreach and our Lighthouses, and permanently through Mission Academy.

This position works closely with the VP of Development and the Director of Marketing to ensure alignment in how we 1) communicate our message and impact out to the community, 2) mobilize people around the most pressing and meaningful needs, 3) acquire, retain and grow our donor commitments most effectively, and 4) lead, guide and empower the Development and Community Engagement team.

This position also works closely with Programs and Operations to ensure our efforts align with the needs of Mission Academy, Lighthouses, Hope Supply Warehouse and Outreach.

The VP of Community Engagement leads with spiritual maturity and integrity, reflecting our values in every interaction with staff, students/guests, our partners and the general public.

This role is responsible for an annual revenue goal of $3.474MM (from corporate, churches, grants, and volunteers).

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team and assist in the evaluation, planning and execution of the strategic plan.

• Support Volunteer Program Manager, Director of Church Partnerships, Corporate Partnerships Manager and Grant Writers to strengthen existing partnerships and pursue new partners.

• Work alongside Development and Donor Services to create a system for tracking and reporting on the pathway from acquisition to full engagement (for churches, businesses, foundations and volunteers).

• Provide a clear and accessible process/pathway for DRO’s to engage their donors in service opportunities.

• Work with the Corporate Partnerships Manager and Director of Church Partnerships on an aligned strategy for acquiring, retaining and cultivating our community partners.

• Cultivate relationships with foundations to increase the breadth and depth of our grant requests/applications.

• Grow both Corporate and Grants revenue channels, including working with Programs on new government contracts.

• Work with Volunteer Program Manager on developing large scale event(s) that attract widespread attention/participation.

• Ensure simple and well-communicated ways for volunteers and community partners to start giving.

• Look for new ways to support the Golf Challenge and increase our net revenue.

Staff Expectations:

As a representative of San Diego Rescue Mission, all employees are expected to:

• Adhere to the Statement of Faith, upholding biblical principles in all aspects of work and life.

• Be prepared to share the hope you have in Christ. As a representative of Christ, be ready to gently and respectfully share the Good News of Jesus Christ at all times.

• Live out the Mission, Vision, and Values of the SDRM by safeguarding the Mission, pursuing the Vision, and reflecting our core values—Faith, Compassion, Excellence, and Integrity—in both your personal and public life. Remain focused on serving, demonstrating a deep desire to see God transform the lives of those experiencing homelessness.

• Intentionally spend time in God’s Word, prayer, staying rooted in a biblical community (local church, ministry, small group) to deepen your relationship with Christ.

• Model servant leadership in all interactions, encourage and support SDRM staff in their walk with Christ, putting the needs of others before yourself.

• Foster a coachable, approachable, and humble spirit, remaining open to feedback, growth, and guidance.

Education:

• Minimum: Bachelor’s Degree. Master's degree a plus

Experience:

• Minimum of 7-10 years working in a nonprofit or ministry environment in communications, community relations, and/or marketing.

• Minimum of 5-7 years managing 3+ direct reports.

• Experience working with individuals facing homelessness, trauma, or addiction preferred.

• Sales or Fundraising experience preferred.

• Proficiency in Excel, CRM’s, and Budget Management.

• Outgoing, organized, administrative, creative, detail-oriented, fast learner, confident presenter, creative problem solver, strong writing skills, internet-savvy.

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to function effectively in a dynamic, faith-based environment

• Strong communication and administrative skills

• Working knowledge of general business operations in a nonprofit, social services environment

• Working knowledge of the management process, especially as it applies to growth and long-term planning

• Analyze and evaluate budgets and other financial documents as it relates to area of assignment

• Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook)

• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills

• Strong relationship skills and ability to motivate others

• Coordinate and/or direct a variety of complex tasks and assignments simultaneously and successfully

• Exercise good judgment and make sensible decisions

• Attentive to detail

• Prioritize effectively

• Effective oral and written communication skills

• Eagerness to learn and be trained

• Work both independently and as part of a team

• Provide information to public by answering questions and requests

• Regular, timely attendance

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• This role may require walking, standing, lifting up to 25 lbs., and working irregular hours, including evenings or weekends.

• Environment includes residential program sites and client-facing spaces.

EEO Statement
The San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM) is both an equal opportunity employer and a Christian ministry. We conduct hiring without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, sex (which included breastfeeding, or a medical condition related to breastfeeding), marital status, parental status, military status, veteran's status, pregnancy, medication condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, disability or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. However, as a registered non-profit religious organization, SDRM does reserve the right to discriminate in hiring persons whose lifestyle is contradictory to Biblical principles. Pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 702 (42 U.S.C. 2000e (a)), SDRM has the right to, and does hire only candidates who agree with SDRM's Statement of Faith and conduct themselves in accordance with our religious beliefs.

Background Check Disclaimer
SDRM conducts background checks in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act, and the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act. If you accept a position with SDRM, as part of your conditional offer of employment, you will be asked to submit to a virtual background check AND a California Livescan Fingerprint.
You will be provided the following notifications as an example:
1. You will be provided with appropriate written notice of the company's intention to obtain information by way of a background check and will give applicants and employees the opportunity to obtain a free copy of any report obtained.
2. Applicants and employees will be asked to authorize a background check before such check is performed.

Drug Screen Disclaimer
SDRM is a Nonprofit Religious Organization and as such, we require all employees to submit to our drug screen as a condition of employment once they have accepted a position with SDRM. Because of our religious affiliation, we do not allow employees to use or consume recreational or medicinal marijuana, along with all other federally recognized substances. You will be notified prior to any employment decisions if your drug screen is returned with negative findings. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration.

E-VERIFY Statement
San Diego Rescue Mission participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.