Senior Director of Development and Communications

Job Description

Job Description

At Catapult, we are supporting our member, NC Child, in their search for a Senior Director of Development and Communications. NC Child is based in Raleigh, NC, and this is a full time hybrid role with occasional travel requirements.

The Opportunity

NC Child seeks an experienced, strategic, and passionate Senior Director of Development and Communications to advance its mission of improving the lives of North Carolina's children and families. This newly created leadership role will lead the organization's fundraising and communications strategies while serving as a key ambassador for NC Child across the state.

About NC Child

NC Child is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advocates for public policies that improve the lives of all North Carolina children. As the state's only multi-issue child advocacy organization, NC Child's work addresses policies that affect the whole child, including health and well-being, early childhood education, and family economic security. NC Child is also a leading source of state-level research and data on the issues affecting children and families, and the organization serves as a trusted and reliable source for policymakers and other child advocates across the state. For more information, visit ncchild.org.

Position Overview

Working closely with the Executive Director, COO, and Board of Directors, the Senior Director of Development and Communications will expand NC Child's network of supporters, strengthen its reputation as a trusted voice on child policy and advocacy, and increase the organization's visibility and philanthropic support. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of North Carolina's philanthropic community, exceptional relationship-building skills, and a proven ability to engage donors, foundations, corporations, and community leaders.

Above all, we seek a collaborative leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and families and inspired to use their leadership, relationships, and expertise to create lasting change across North Carolina.

Responsibilities

Fundraising Development:

• Develops and executes a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports organizational growth, long-term sustainability, and annual revenue goals.
• Oversees organization-wide portfolio management, performance and key metrics, and uses data to drive continuous improvement and donor engagement.
• Manages a portfolio of major gift donors and corporate prospects by developing and implementing strategic cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and moves management plans that strengthen donor relationships and increase philanthropic support.
• Leads annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, sponsorships, and other fundraising initiatives.
• Partners with the Executive Director, COO, and Board of Directors to develop fundraising priorities, engage major gift prospects, and strategically involve leadership in cultivating and closing transformational gifts.
• Represents the organization with donors, community leaders, foundations, corporations, and strategic partners to advance the mission, strengthen visibility, and expand community support.
• Develops and implements donor stewardship strategies that foster meaningful engagement, recognition, and long-term philanthropic investment.
• Leads development staff in identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities through prospect research, relationship development, and strategic partnerships.

Leadership & Management:

• Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for development and communications functions.
• Partners with executive leadership and board of directors to establish organizational priorities, strategic initiatives, and fundraising objectives.
• Supervises, mentors, and evaluates high-performing teams while fostering a collaborative and mission-driven culture.
• Develops and manages annual work plans, and performance metrics to ensure accountability and results.
• Leads cross-functional initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness and stakeholder engagement.
• Directs organizational communications, public relations, and marketing initiatives to strengthen brand awareness and community engagement.
• Implements systems, policies, and best practices that enhance organizational capacity, donor management, and operational performance.
• Manages complex projects from planning through implementation while balancing competing priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Represents the organization externally through media interviews, public speaking engagements, and other opportunities that elevate the visibility and impact of NC Child.
• Demonstrates ability to lead the planning and execution of large-scale signature events like the NC Child Summit, overseeing sponsorships, logistics, strategy, vendor management, stakeholder engagement, and attendees.

Communications:

• Leads NC Child's media relations strategy by cultivating relationships with print, broadcast, digital, and social media; overseeing press releases and media advisories; managing media inquiries; and promoting organizational research and data products to North Carolina media.
• Partners with senior leadership to develop strategic messaging and other communications materials, while preparing staff and key stakeholders for media interviews and public appearances.
• Leads the organization's strategic messaging by developing audience-specific communications, ensuring staff have consistent, accessible talking points and resources to effectively engage donors, policymakers, partners, media, and community stakeholders.
• Collaborates with marketing staff to develop and distribute digital, video, audio, email, website, and social media content that advances organizational priorities, policy initiatives, fundraising efforts, and public engagement.
• Oversees internal and constituent communications, including Board communications, email marketing, engagement analytics, and communications support for organizational initiatives, coalitions, and leadership groups.
• Provides strategic oversight for communications initiatives, including supervision of the EarlyWell Communications Action Team and guidance for ExCEL NC's communications strategy, messaging, and constituent engagement.
• Develops and maintains the organization's brand standards and style guide to ensure consistent messaging, visual identity, and communications across all platforms.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Communications, Nonprofit Management, or similar discipline.
• At least ten years' responsibility in development and communications leadership.
• At least three years of supervisory and team leadership experience.
• Proven success in securing major gifts, including cultivation through solicitation and stewardship, and experience in annual giving strategies.
• A thoughtful and innovative leader skilled in integrating modern advancement-related functions such as relationship-driven fundraising strategies.
• Demonstrated proficiency with communication tools including email, content management systems, and digital and social media platforms.
• Experience working with the press, copywriting and publishing; proficiency writing and editing in AP Style.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and social media marketing.
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• A strong commitment to NC Child's mission and core values.
• Ability to pivot quickly and adjust to an ever-changing political and nonprofit environment.
• Strategic thinker who is able to navigate multiple possibilities to achieve the best possible outcomes for North Carolina's children.
• Collaborative team player who appreciates and contributes to a diverse work environment.

Bonus Qualifications

• Existing relationships with North Carolina media and donors.
• Experience with search engine marketing, Google Analytics, and Google AdWords.
• Familiarity with Raiser's Edge, Meltwater, AirTable, SharePoint, WordPress, and the Adobe Creative Suites.
• More than five years' experience working in communications for a government, business, or nonprofit organization, preferably with experience in a director role.
• Experience managing digital content on a variety of platforms.
• Bilingual.

Position Requirements

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week
• NC Child uses a hybrid work model. This position will be required to spend three to four days each week, with a preference of four days, in person or at external events and must have the capability to travel mostly in North Carolina when needed.
• NC Child is committed to the health and well-being of our staff. The successful candidate must uphold organizational health, safety and workplace policies and procedures.

Compensation & Benefits

NC Child offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid sick days, vacation, paid family leave, a sabbatical program, and a commitment to professional development. The hiring range for this position is $105,000-$115,000 , depending on training and experience.

To Apply

NC Child is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity, talent, and experiences of the communities we serve. We encourage candidates from a wide range of backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet every qualification listed. This is an exciting opportunity to help strengthen the internal systems and leadership that support NC Child's mission to improve the lives of all North Carolina children. If you are a strategic and collaborative development and communications leader who is passionate about supporting teams and advancing meaningful change for children and families, we invite you to apply.

Submit an application along with:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

NC Child is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.