Development & Communications Manager

The Rome Group; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Dance Moves STL seeks a Development & Communications Manager to lead day-to-day fundraising and communications in a hybrid role based in St. Louis, Missouri.

The position involves building donor relationships, coordinating campaigns, and telling stories that showcase impact for schools, families, donors, and community partners. The role blends strategy with hands-on execution in a small, collaborative nonprofit and requires a few years of fundraising/communications experience, strong writing,

Qualifications

• 2–4+ years of experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, sales, or a closely related field.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with individual giving, donor cultivation, grants, sponsorships, or fundraising campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills and the ability to work independently.
• Collaborative working style and enthusiasm for Dance Moves STL’s mission.
• Experience with email and social media platforms, Canva or similar design tools, and donor databases or fundraising platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an annual fundraising plan, goals, and calendar with the Executive Director.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of individual, corporate, and foundation supporters; coordinate cultivation, requests, acknowledgments, and stewardship.
• Plan and execute appeals, giving campaigns, sponsorship efforts, and donor communications, including materials for fundraising events.
• Identify grant and sponsorship opportunities; write proposals and reports, manage deadlines, and steward existing partners.
• Prepare the Executive Director and Board members for priority donor conversations and follow up on next steps.
• Maintain accurate donor records; track revenue, retention, pipeline activity, and campaign results; provide concise reports to the Executive Director and Board.
• Manage a coordinated content calendar across fundraising, school programs, events, and organizational news.
• Write and produce the monthly Creating Connections email newsletter; create social media content, graphics, photography, and short-form video.
• Gather student and teacher stories, testimonials, photos, and program outcomes and turn them into clear content for donors and the community.
• Keep website content current and create print and digital materials for school outreach, campaigns, sponsorships, and events.
• Promote student performances, fundraising events, and the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match Championship; prepare invitations, programs, signage, and presentations.
• Maintain a consistent organizational voice and visual identity; develop press materials and media pitches; monitor engagement and adjust content accordingly.

Skills

Relationship-building

Fundraising

Communications

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Donor databases

CRM systems

Fundraising platforms

Canva

Social media tools

Job description

Development & Communications Manager

Reports to: Executive Director
Position Type: Full-time, hybrid
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Salary: $60,000-$66,0000 annually

Dance Moves STL seeks a relationship-oriented, creative professional to lead day-to-day fundraising and communications. This person will build donor relationships, coordinate campaigns and grants, and tell the stories that help schools, families, donors, and community partners understand the impact of our work. The role combines strategy with hands-on execution in a small, collaborative organization.

About Dance Moves STL

Dance Moves STL is a nonprofit youth development and arts education organization. Our mission is to cultivate essential life skills in children through the joyful art and practice of social dance. Our school-based programs help young people develop confidence, cooperation, empathy, respect, cultural awareness, and meaningful connections with their peers.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and donor relationships

• Develop and manage an annual fundraising plan, goals, and calendar with the Executive Director.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of individual, corporate, and foundation supporters; coordinate cultivation, requests, acknowledgments, and stewardship.
• Plan and execute appeals, giving campaigns, sponsorship efforts, and donor communications, including materials for fundraising events.
• Identify grant and sponsorship opportunities; write proposals and reports, manage deadlines, and steward existing partners.
• Prepare the Executive Director and Board members for priority donor conversations and follow up on next steps.
• Maintain accurate donor records; track revenue, retention, pipeline activity, and campaign results; provide concise reports to the Executive Director and Board.

Communications and storytelling

• Manage a coordinated content calendar across fundraising, school programs, events, and organizational news.
• Write and produce the monthly Creating Connections email newsletter; create social media content, graphics, photography, and short-form video.
• Gather student and teacher stories, testimonials, photos, and program outcomes and turn them into clear, engaging content for donors and the community.
• Keep website content current and create print and digital materials for school outreach, campaigns, sponsorships, and events.
• Promote student performances, fundraising events, and the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match Championship; prepare invitations, programs, signage, and presentations.
• Maintain a consistent organizational voice and visual identity; develop press materials and media pitches as opportunities arise; monitor engagement and adjust content accordingly.

Collaboration and execution

• Work closely with the Executive Director and program staff to connect program activity and outcomes with fundraising and communications.
• Attend select school programs and occasional evening or weekend events to gather content and support promotion and donor engagement.
• Build practical processes and templates that keep deadlines, contacts, content, and follow-up organized.

What success looks like in the first year:

• A focused fundraising and communications calendar is in use, with reliable donor data and timely follow-up.
• Donor cultivation, grants, sponsorships, and campaigns are moving forward consistently, with clear roles for the Executive Director and Board.
• The monthly newsletter and regular social, web, and event communications share compelling program stories and support fundraising priorities.
• A growing library of approved stories, images, outcomes, and materials makes it easier to communicate Dance Moves STL’s impact.

Qualifications:

• 2–4+ years of experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, sales, community engagement, or a related field; experience spanning both fundraising and communications is especially valuable.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with individual giving, donor cultivation, grants, sponsorships, or fundraising campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills and the ability to work independently.
• Confidence initiating conversations and developing relationships with donors, prospects, and community partners.
• Familiarity with donor databases, CRM systems, or fundraising platforms.
• A collaborative working style and enthusiasm for Dance Moves STL’s mission.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines independently while collaborating with a small team.
• Experience with email and social media platforms, Canva or similar design tools, and donor databases or fundraising platforms; basic photography or video skills are helpful.
• Interest in youth development, education, dance, the arts, and equitable access to community-based programming.

Candidates with different combinations of relevant experience are encouraged to apply. Occasional evening and weekend availability and local travel within the St. Louis region are part of the role.

Dance Moves STL is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, dedicated to ensuring diversity in our workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, citizenship, marital status, parental needs, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.