Development (Associate or Manager) – Communications and Events Focus

Breakthrough Greater Boston; Town Of Cambridge; On-site; AUD 84,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Breakthrough Greater Boston is seeking a Development Associate/Manager with a focus on Events and Communications. This role reports to the Managing Director of Development and works alongside the other Development team members, collaborating with the Co-Executive Directors, Operations, and Program teams to grow BTGB’s reach, impact, and funding base.

You will manage communications across print and digital platforms, oversee events from planning to execution, maintain donor records, write

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Up to two years of relevant work experience with communications and events preferred.
• Experience with donor databases (Salesforce preferred).
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a calendar of communications across social media, email, print, and website.
• Oversee design and updating of BTGB's branded collateral.
• Produce email and print content including newsletters and e-communications.
• Maintain Breakthrough Greater Boston website updates.
• Plan and manage Breakthrough events, including annual galas and family events.
• Coordinate vendor relationships and production of event materials.
• Support sponsorship solicitation and manage volunteer calendars.
• Recruit and engage young professionals for the Associate Board.
• Coordinate outreach with Program Team and organize site visits for donors and partners.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

InDesign

Mailchimp

WordPress

Job description

Development (Associate or Manager) – Communications and Events Focus

Posted on August 22, 2024

BTGB is currently seeking a motivated and talented individual to join the Development team with a focus on Events and Communications. This individual will play a critical role in the organization’s development function as we expand our reach, programmatic impact, and the funding base necessary to support such growth. The Development Associate/Manager should possess strong project management and communication skills, be highly detail-oriented, take pride in their work, and strive for excellence. They should be excited about making a real impact in people’s lives, enjoy new challenges, and be eager to help extend the impact of BTGB’s work to more students and teachers. The Development Associate/Manager will report to the Managing Director of Development and work alongside two other Development team members. Additionally, this role will work closely with the Co- Executive Directors, Operations Team, and Program Team.

POSITION OUTCOMES

A successful Development Associate/Manager will:

Become knowledgeable about Breakthrough Greater Boston’s programming and be able to tell a compelling story about the organization’s impact.

Build passion and excitement for BTGB’s mission among current and prospective donors and partners.

Manage the writing and design of marketing communications across multiple print and digital platforms for a variety of external audiences.

Manage Breakthrough’s events, including major annual events and smaller tailored event experiences.

Ensure regular volunteer engagement opportunities that align with Breakthrough’s student-centered philosophy and approach.

Maintain partner and volunteer data within the organization’s development database and provide analysis of marketing communications data.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION

In this exciting role, you will be responsible for a variety of critical development and communication tasks, including:

Communications and Marketing

Manage a calendar of communications that incorporates planned outreach and updates across social media, email, print mailings, and BTGB’s website, targeting donors, partners, volunteers, and other external constituents.

Oversee the design and updating of BTGB’s branded collateral.

Manage the design and creation of email and hard copy content, including the quarterly newsletter and periodic e-communications to donors, friends, and prospective donors.

Take primary responsibility for updating and maintaining the Breakthrough Greater Boston website.

Develop and manage the strategy for BTGB’s social media platforms, ensuring timely and interactive social media content.

Write and distribute media releases about important Breakthrough news and events as needed.

Assist with maintaining corporate partner and volunteer records, gift acknowledgments, and running reports in the organization’s development database (Salesforce).

Maintain lists of key media contacts and elected officials for outreach as needed.

Event Management and Production

Assist with the planning and management of all Breakthrough events, including BTGB’s three annual events: the Breakthrough Gala (a large fundraiser), Celebration (a student and family event), and Breakthroughs in Education (a content-driven cultivation event). Tasks include vendor management, communication with guests and hosts, and taking a lead role in creating printed materials.

Oversee all vendor relationships to ensure smooth event logistics.

Manage the production of event-related print and electronic materials (invitations, programs, signage, etc.).

Support the solicitation of corporate event sponsors and hosts and the delivery of sponsorship/host benefits.

In partnership with other members of the Development Team, create a pipeline of vetted corporate sponsor prospects, ensuring an annual increase of funding from corporate donors that is in line with the organization’s stated revenue goals.

Recruit and engage young professionals for the Associate Board, organize and execute fundraising events, and facilitate communication between board members and BTGB staff to achieve strategic goals.

Develop and manage Breakthrough’s annual volunteer calendar, which will include both regular and one-off volunteer events and all associated logistics.

Lead on outreach to key volunteer networks and corporate partners.

Work in close partnership with the members of the Program Team to coordinate and volunteer engagement requests and opportunities.

Support site visits to Breakthrough’s programs for all external visitors including donors, prospects, volunteers, and partners.

YOUR BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS

As the incoming Development Associate/Manager, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

Passion for the mission of BTGB, closing opportunity gaps, and training the next generation of urban teachers.

Up to two years of relevant work experience; direct experience with communications and events preferred.

Strong computer skills, including experience with donor databases (Salesforce preferred), Microsoft Office, social media platforms, design software (such as InDesign), and marketing platforms (such as Mailchimp and WordPress).

An unwavering commitment to equity, in deepening your personal understanding and in advancing our collective work.

Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with students, families, and educators.

Strong organizational and project management skills.

Ability to work on multiple projects, adjust quickly to shifting priorities, meet deadlines, exercise good judgment, and handle high-pressure situations.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with a variety of audiences.

Team player who demonstrates a positive attitude, sense of humor, energy, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to collaboration.

Prior experience with the Breakthrough model is highly desirable; familiarity with partner schools or districts is a plus.

Flexibility that allows for periodic work on Saturdays and evenings.

Candidates of color and those from low-income backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply, as are those with fluency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Amharic, Somali, Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Tigrinya, or Urdu.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.