Director of Community Engagement

salvarmycareers; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army in Springfield, IL seeks a Director of Community Engagement to lead donor relations, public relations, and fundraising for Sangamon County. You will supervise efforts, coordinate events, and work with partners to advance Salvation Army programs and services.

Reporting to Corps Officers, you will represent the organization in advisory groups and the local community, building strong donor cultivation and community partnerships to support mission-driven initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred; significant experience may count.
• Three to five years of fundraising/public relations experience.
• Experience leading and managing others is encouraged.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to work with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising (40%): support donations, cultivate donors, and maintain reports.
• Special Events (35%): plan and execute events and volunteer activities.
• Public Relations (20%): manage social media, media contacts, and press releases.
• Additional Responsibilities (5%): speak at events, liaison with advisory boards, and strategic planning.
• Administrative: supervise volunteers and ensure training and compliance.

Skills

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Multi-tasking

Diversity awareness

Budget awareness

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

THE SALVATION ARMY

North and Central Illinois Division

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Director of Community Engagement

LOCATION/DEPT: Springfield, IL Clear Lake Corps

REPORTS TO: Corps Officer(s)

PEOPLE MANAGER: No

FLSA CATEGORY: Exempt, Full Time

PAY GRADE: 408

PAY RATE: $60,817-$74,500 Annually

WHO WE ARE

At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to “Doing the Most Good”. We are made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners working together to holistically meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We do this through programs designed to combat homelessness and hunger, provide safe spaces for youth after school and on the weekends, achieve and maintain sobriety, and give hope to the hopeless. The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division provides these services to people in need.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Community Engagement has an overall responsibility for the development agenda of The Salvation Army of Sangamon County. They will provide supervision, direction, and direct involvement in donor relations, public relations, fundraising, volunteer efforts and special events in support of Salvation Army programs and services.

Additionally, the Director of Community Engagement will serve as a representative of The Salvation Army corps to advisory organizations and the greater Sangamon County community.

Responsibilities include various development activities crucial to the acquisition of resources needed to advance the mission and vision of The Salvation Army.

Key Areas of Responsibility

1. Fundraising


2. Special Events


3. Public Relations


4. Additional Responsibilities


5. Secondary Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising (40%)

• In conjunction with Corps Officers, assist in Christmas fundraising efforts. This includes volunteer bell ringers as well as seasonal fundraisers.


• Work closely with individuals, corporations, and foundations, conducting cultivation activities and practices to help maintain good relationships. Major individual donor correspondence may take place in conjunction with DHQ development department.


• Meet monthly with Corps Officers to set and assess annual fundraising targets and benchmarks.


• Provide monthly contact reports for accountability in working with donors, media, corporations, foundations, and businesses.


• Develop a strong donor cultivation plan by working with DHQ development staff and Salesforce database.


• Work with appropriate staff and Corps Officers to secure grant and foundation dollars for the advancement of The Salvation Army mission and vision.

Special Events (35%)

• Plan, organize, and execute fundraising events and initiatives.


• Plan, organize, and execute volunteer events, including, but not limited to, volunteer appreciation dinner.


• Attendance and participation in community events when appropriate or required.

Public Relations (20%)

• Update and maintain The Salvation Army Facebook and social media pages as well as official website, providing oversight to discussions and content development.


• In conjunction with appropriate staff, coordinate and regularly update media contacts and disperse news/press releases, working with corps officers and DHQ when necessary.


• In conjunction with appropriate staff, develop annual media calendar.


• Identify public relations opportunities.

Additional Responsibilities (5%)

• In conjunction with Corps Officers and Advisory Board, solicit and participate in speaking engagements to promote volunteer opportunities with local service clubs and organizations, agency partners, businesses, etc.


• Serve as staff liaison to appropriate Advisory Board or community events and committees.


• In conjunction with Corps Officers, Advisory Board, Staff and other necessary parties, develop a strategic plan for direction and implementation of local fundraising campaigns and community relations.


• Other duties assigned related to fundraising, special events, and public relations.

Administrative Expectations

• Work with necessary staff and Corps Officers, assess volunteer needs to help fulfill the mission of the local corps. This will be done in part by providing oversight to local efforts to recruit, screen, place, train, and evaluate volunteers.


• Successfully satisfy the training requirements associated to the position and as required by The Salvation Army.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Education:

• Bachelor’s level degree in a related field highly encouraged, significant experience may be considered in lieu of.

Experience:

This individual must be able to manage the varied demands of working independently within fundraising and public relation matters. Three to five years of experience required working with others in related functions. Special event planning and coordination essential. Previous experience leading and managing others is highly encouraged.

Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience or capacity to demonstrate positive interpersonal skills and work as a cooperative team member.


• Close attention to detail and a high level of confidentiality


• Ability to multi-task several projects concurrently


• Must have an interest and ability to work with people of diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner.


• Ability to establish and implement policies and procedures.


• Demonstrated awareness of budget resources and cost control, as well as planning and administering budgets.


• Proficiency in computer software applications, including demonstrated experience in using email, MS Office applications.

JOB LIMITATIONS

• This individual will only commit resources of The Salvation Army that have been allocated or approved.


• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position. The individual will keep the designated Supervisor informed of all critical issues relating to their area of responsibility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position may be required to do light to moderate physical work. Sometimes heavier.


• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use standard office equipment including a PC and potentially make public presentations/interactions.


• The work environment for this position includes an office environment with a low to moderate noise level.


• This individual must be able to travel to meet the needs of the position. A valid MVR is required.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• This position reports to the local Corps Officer(s).


• In context related to this position’s duties, this individual will interact with a wide range of contacts both internal and external. In these contacts he/she will act as a representative of The Salvation Army and its mission.

COMPETENCIES

• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors.


• Resolve conflicts in a positive manner.


• Treat staff, clients, and visitors with courtesy.


• Respect others’ property and person.


• Use professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors and subordinates.


• Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved. Timeliness and accuracy of accomplishing assigned goals will be reviewed. An evaluation of how effective service is provided. Performance will also be determined by outcome information provided during weekly staff meetings and monthly reports.

POSITION LIMITATIONS

• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

DOING THEMOST GOOD

Do you want to use your skills and talents to make a lasting difference in the world?The Salvation Army is the fourth largest charity in the United States and is an international organization based on Biblical principles created to help people in need.We are mission-driven, diverse, collaborative, and focused on positive results for people. Join us in making a difference.

The Salvation Army offers a competitive benefit package for eligible employees which may include the following medical, dental, vision, hearing, disability and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement accounts, a company-funded defined contribution (pension) plan and generous time off policies.

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact the Human Resources department.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minority/Female/Veterans/Disabled. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have beenimpactedby the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.