Director of Development and Communications

DC History Center; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K with 4% match

Paid leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

DC History Center + HumanitiesDC seeks a strategic, energetic Director of Development and Communications to lead fundraising, communications, and marketing. You will partner with the Executive Director to grow philanthropic support and elevate the organization’s voice in the community.

You’ll supervise a Development and Communications Team, manage a budget, and oversee major gifts, grants, and donor relations, with a Monday–Friday schedule and occasional evening/weekend events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; 7+ years in fundraising, grant writing, communications, project management, media relations, or marketing.
• Experience creating and stewarding donor and partner relationships that lead to financial support.
• Proven track record of leading teams and driving organizational growth and change.

Responsibilities

• Shape organizational strategy and annual fundraising and communications plans.
• Manage major gifts portfolio and oversee donor engagement workflows.
• Guide grant writing, prospecting, and stewardship across donor levels.
• Develop a planned giving program and a donor stewardship strategy.
• Lead institutional messaging, media relations, and marketing strategies.
• Supervise a Development and Communications team and manage budget.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Grant writing

Communications strategy

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Teams

CRMs

Adobe Creative Suite

WordPress

Job description

About Us:

The DC History Center and HumanitiesDC recently announced that they intend to merge. This fall, we will become a single nonprofit dedicated to preserving the District’s history, celebrating its culture, and supporting the humanities. From our base at the Carnegie Library, DC History Center + HumanitiesDC will offer research, education, grants, and programming opportunities to match any level of knowledge or interest in the District. Our new organization will be a place for DC’s curious minds to build community, find common ground, and help shape the future of our nation’s capital.

Position Summary:

DC History Center + HumanitiesDC is seeking a strategic, energetic, and mission-driven Director of Development and Communications to lead our fundraising, communications, and marketing efforts. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will partner closely with the Executive Director to shape organizational strategy, grow philanthropic support, and elevate our voice in the community.

You’ll lead a talented Development and Communications Team, supervising three direct-reports while managing a departmental budget, a major gifts portfolio, and the organization’s brand and media presence. This role requires a Monday–Friday schedule with regular evening and weekend commitments for organizational events.

Responsibilities:

Strategy, Vision & Leadership

• Help shape organizational strategy and annual fundraising and communications plans
• Advise the Executive Director on fundraising and communications
• Manage the department's annual budget and long-term goals

Fundraising

• Manage a major gifts portfolio while supporting the organization’s institutional relationships
• Set annual fundraising goals and oversee workflows to achieve them
• Support board fundraising, staff the Development Committee, and help recruit new board members
• Supervise grant writing and guide prospecting for new grant funders and individual donors
• Develop a planned giving program and a stewardship strategy across donor levels
• Supervise annual fund, membership, and events

Communications & Marketing

• Set strategy for institutional messaging, media relations, and marketing
• Serve as primary media contact and lead the organization’s visibility efforts
• Oversee production of the annual report, from content to design and distribution

Community Relations & Advocacy

• Lead advocacy strategy for the DC humanities sector, particularly with DC government
• Represent the organization externally and with key partners such as DowntownDC BID, Events DC, and DC Public Library

Team Development

• Coach and grow a high-performing Development and Communications team
• Set staff goals, provide ongoing feedback, and support professional growth

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, plus 7+ years of experience in fundraising, grant writing, communications, project management, media relations, or marketing – ideally in Washington, DC;
• Experience creating and stewarding donor and partner relationships that lead to financial support;
• A track record of leading teams and driving organizational growth and change;
• Experience working across diverse communities;
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills, with sharp attention to detail;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Teams, and CRMs; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and WordPress is a plus;
• Fluency in Spanish, French, Amharic, or Chinese is a plus.

Compensation:

This role will be paid an annual salary based on our Compensation Framework and Strategy, plus a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401K with 4% match, holidays and paid closures, paid leave, short‑and long‑term disability coverage, paid parental leave, pre‑tax SmarTrip contributions, and more. DC History Center + HumanitiesDC does not negotiate salaries or benefits at the time of hire or any other time.

DC History Center + HumanitiesDC is an equal opportunity employer.