Strategic Development & Communications Director

Association of Fundraising Professionals; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Sabbatical program

Professional development opportunities

Paid sick days, vacation, paid family/

Job summary

NC Child seeks a Senior Director of Development and Communications to lead fundraising, communications, and external engagement efforts in North Carolina. The role will partner with the Executive Director and Board to secure transformational gifts and strengthen visibility for child policy work.

The position drives major gifts, annual giving, foundations, and corporate sponsorships while mentoring a growing team. Hybrid work with travel preferred across NC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in communications, nonprofit management, public policy, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in development, communications, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, or related work.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts and building donor relationships.
• Experience leading fundraising strategies and communications initiatives.
• Experience managing and developing teams.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing messaging and public-facing materials.
• Strong project management skills and ability to navigate changing priorities.
• Commitment to NC Child's mission and values.
• Bonus: existing relationships with NC donors, foundations, philanthropic leaders, and media.
• Bonus: experience with Raiser's Edge, WordPress, Meltwater, Airtable, SharePoint, or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Bonus: bilingual proficiency

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement fundraising strategies focused on major gifts, annual giving, foundations, corporate support, sponsorships, and long-term donor engagement.
• Manage and grow relationships with donors and prospects through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board members to engage key supporters and secure transformational gifts.
• Establish systems for prospect management, donor engagement, performance tracking, and fundraising growth.
• Represent NC Child with funders, donors, and community partners to expand support for the organization's mission.
• Lead communications strategies that increase awareness of NC Child's research, advocacy, and impact.
• Manage media relations, including press outreach, organizational messaging, media inquiries, and interview preparation.
• Develop compelling communications materials for donors, policymakers, advocates, partners, and the public.
• Oversee digital, website, email, social media, and other communications efforts.
• Maintain consistent organizational messaging and brand standards across platforms.
• Support communications strategy for key initiatives, coalitions, and signature events, including the NC Child Summit.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on fundraising, communications, and external engagement.
• Manage and develop a high-performing, collaborative team.
• Create annual goals, work plans, and performance measures to support accountability and impact.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and community engagement.

Skills

Major gifts & donor relations

Fundraising leadership

Team leadership

Writing & verbal communication

Public-facing messaging

Project management

Mission alignment & values

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Bilingual proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, nonprofit management, public policy, or a related field

Job description

NC Child seeks a Senior Director of Development and Communications to lead fundraising, communications, and external engagement efforts in North Carolina. The role will partner with the Executive Director and Board to secure transformational gifts and strengthen visibility for child policy work.

The position drives major gifts, annual giving, foundations, and corporate sponsorships while mentoring a growing team. Hybrid work with travel preferred across NC.