Manager of Community Development

Department: The Foundation

Reports To: Executive Director

Location: Montreal, QC

Position Summary

Our client, a Jewish elementary and high school, is seeking an enthusiastic and results-driven Manager of Community Engagement to strengthen relationships within its vibrant school community and significantly enhance participation in annual giving. Working closely with the Manager of Fundraising, this role will focus on fostering meaningful connections with parents, alumni, grandparents, and other stakeholders while implementing strategies to increase community involvement and boost financial contributions. The successful candidate will lead community-building initiatives, design impactful events, and cultivate a strong culture of philanthropy to help achieve ambitious annual giving goals.

Key Responsibilities

Community Engagement & Relationship Building (60%)

• Develop and implement strategies to deepen relationships with parents, alumni, past parents, grandparents, and other key stakeholders, with a strong focus on increasing their participation in annual giving.
• Partner with the Manager of Fundraising to identify and engage prospective donors through community outreach and targeted engagement efforts.
• Build a culture of philanthropy by communicating the importance of supporting the school’s mission through annual giving.

Collaboration with the Manager of Fundraising

• Collaborate with the Manager of Fundraising to develop and execute campaigns that inspire increased participation in the Annual Giving Program.
• Engage directly with donors and potential donors to solicit contributions, promote recurring giving, and upgrade gift levels.
• Assist in designing donor stewardship activities that recognize contributions and maintain strong, ongoing relationships.

Event Planning & Coordination

• Plan, organize, and execute events that combine community engagement with fundraising goals, such as donor appreciation events, alumni reunions, and family-centered activities.
• Ensure all events are designed to strengthen relationships and inspire contributions to the school.
• Assess the effectiveness of events and make recommendations for improvement.

Volunteer Engagement

• Recruit, organize, and motivate volunteers to support annual giving campaigns and community programs.
• Create recognition programs to celebrate volunteer contributions and encourage continued involvement.

Communications & Outreach

• Work with the Communications team to craft compelling messaging for newsletters, social media, and promotional materials that emphasize the importance of annual giving.
• Use storytelling and data-driven insights to demonstrate the impact of donor contributions on the school’s mission.
• Serve as an ambassador actively engaging with stakeholders to strengthen ties to the school.

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of donor and community interactions in the stakeholder database to support cultivation and stewardship efforts.
• Track and analyze engagement metrics and annual giving results, providing regular reports to leadership on progress and areas for growth.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in community engagement, fundraising, or event planning, with a demonstrated ability to achieve financial targets.
• Knowledge of the Montreal Jewish community is a strong asset.
• Skills & Abilities
• Proven ability to inspire and engage diverse stakeholder groups to achieve fundraising goals.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, in English and French.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Proficiency in digital tools, including social media platforms, email marketing, and CRM software.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and foster a positive, results-oriented environment.
• Personal Attributes
• Passionate about education, community building, and philanthropy.
• Creative, energetic, and outgoing personality with a results-driven mindset.
• Flexible and willing to work evenings or weekends for events or campaigns as needed.

Impact of the Role

The Manager of Community Engagement will play a critical role in strengthening relationships within the school community while driving growth in annual giving. By cultivating a culture of philanthropy, inspiring stakeholders to support the school’s mission, and collaborating effectively with the Manager of Fundraising, this role will directly contribute to the school’s financial sustainability and vibrant community life.