Chief Development and Communications Officer

Job Description

Position Summary: The Chief Development and Communications Officer (CDCO) is responsible for implementing all aspects of operations, project, and capital fundraising for Santa Maria - Houston and Santa Maria – Austin. This includes donor relations, special events, volunteer management, and PR/communications. This includes short- and long-term planning, marketing and financial management, and cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors. The CDCO also develops and maintains systems to support fundraising, including donor, prospect and volunteer management, research, gift processing and recognition. Other duties may be assigned. No smoking workplace

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Fundraising

In partnership with the CEO, establish measurable annual goals to to resource the organization’s budgeted needs and other projects, including capital – with an expectation to increase fundraising annually to meet growing needs.

Secure funding from individuals, foundations and corporations. This includes grants and proposals, major gifts, event sponsorships and annual giving campaigns.

Recruit, hire, mentor, train, supervise and evaluate development team staff.

Develop internal processes and systems to cultivate, solicit and steward donors.

Plan and execute special events.

Supervise data entry and maintenance to ensure accurate donor and prospect data, timely donor acknowledgement and accurate reporting.

Produce timely and accurate reports on charitable contributions and income and expense budgets, and ensure sound fiscal operations of development department.

Oversee volunteer management.

Develop and manage community partnerships.

Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, maintain accountability standards to donors and ensure compliance with code of ethical principles and standards of professional conduct for fundraising executives.

Stay informed about best practices in the development profession, continually evaluating new and emerging ideas for potential implementation at Santa Maria.

Communications

Develop a communications strategy, including thought leadership and methods of communication, such as website, blogs, podcasts, workshops, newsletters, annual reports, social media, PR and public speaking.

Foster a culture of communication and ensure all external and internal messaging and branding are executed in support of the organization's mission, vision and strategic priorities.

Train and coach staff across the agency to ensure consistent messaging.

Oversee the development of collateral materials for fundraising, communications, programs, and other departments.

Manage communications team, including support with PR, social media, email and website development.

Establish performance measures, monitor results, and evaluate the efficacy of communications work.

Executive Leadership and Administration

Collaborate with the CEO, executive team and the Board of Directors to advance Santa Maria’s mission and strategic objectives.

Cultivate and sustain a strong partnership with the Board of Directors and Advisory Council to leverage stakeholder expertise and connections to achieve Santa Maria’s fundraising goals.

Represent Santa Maria in advocacy activities and public events as needed, ensuring a positive image of the organization to its various constituents.

Attend all Board meetings and provide reports to the CEO in advance.

Promote organizational stability by creating a work environment that is rewarding to staff and volunteers.

Upon legal review and where authorized by the CEO, the CDCO may sign contracts or other instruments to be executed, except in those instances where approval of others or the signature of others is expressly required by the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any law of the State of Texas, or by funding agencies.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.

5-7 years of fundraising experience with a proven track record of meeting and exceeding fundraising goals.

Thorough understanding of fundraising, including best practices regarding donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

Experience managing and implementing a comprehensive development program.

Strong understanding of donor data management, gift processing, and fundraising reporting.

Able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Proven ability to successfully manage staff.

Exceptional verbal, written and presentation skills.

Ability to problem-solve and think ahead.

Excellent organizational skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Proficient in Microsoft Office products.

Certification in fundraising such as Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) preferred.

This position requires local travel, travel between Houston and Austin, and some weekend/evening hours.Company Description

Mission Driven

The mission of Santa Maria Hostel is to empower women and their families to lead healthy, successful, productive and self-fulfilling lives.

Building on our History

Santa Maria has been serving the women and children of Houston and surrounding areas since the mid 1950s. By offering vital services and life changing support, the organization offers a pathway to success through recovery. Santa Maria will continue to evolve to meet the needs of those we serve by expanding and refining our continuum of care, delivering services with the highest level of professionalism and compassion. Moving forward, Santa Maria will continue to expand services for the entire family unit, ensuring each family member and the family as a whole is supported and empowered with a strong foundation for success.

The Women and Children we Serve:

Santa Maria provides critical and life changing services for low-income, indigent women age 18 and above and their children from Harris and the surrounding 12 counties.

Our women face many challenges to their recovery, including histories or trauma, criminal justice and Children’s Protective Services involvement, and homelessness or housing instability. Many also have co-occurring mental and physical health issues. Their children and families struggle with these issues as well, and so together we support the entire family on their recovery journey.

Full-time