Skip to main content

This job has expired

Development Communications Manager

Employer
Resources for the Future
Location
Arlington, VA
Closing date
Sep 17, 2019
Resources for the Future (RFF) is an independent, nonprofit research institution in Washington, DC. Our mission is to improve environmental, energy, and natural resource decisions through impartial economic research and policy engagement. We are seeking a Development Communications Manager to create a wide range of communications materials that will help to build, shape, grow and meet year over year giving goals for Resources for the Future. The Development Communications Manager works under the general supervision of the Director of Development Operations and as an organizational resource, collaborating frequently with staff and researchers throughout RFF, including frequent work with the VP of Development. The Development Communications Manager is principally responsible for producing a wide array of exceptionally and efficiently written development and fundraising materials, including but not limited to funding proposals, grant applications, and reports for a diverse group of individual, corporate, foundation, and public sector prospective funders, current donors, and potential collaborators or partners, including formal and informal development-related communications on behalf of RFF staff and volunteer leadership. Secondarily, the role is responsible for the creation of innovative, timely, informative, engaging, persuasive, effective and strategic development content intended for both and internal and external audiences, across a variety of communications platforms. RESPONSIBILITIESProposal and Report Writing - 60%Assists researchers and related staff with writing, submitting and managing grant proposals, concepts notes and letters of intent, and reports and other donor communications while adhering to all internal and external deadlines;Learns and maintains essential knowledge of the grant application process for a diverse array of donors and prospects;Ensures all work is conducted with integrity and in full compliance with RFF policies, procedures, and guideline; and internal policies and procedures;Assists with writing major gift proposals and reports for portfolio managers, as appropriate; and,Collaborates with research/finance teams to produce high quality, comprehensive, accurate, timely interim and final narrative/financial reports; submit grant extension requests as necessary. Donor Engagement and other Fundraising Materials - 25%Collaborates frequently with communications staff to write content and provide strategy support for development materials including web content, solicitations, eblasts/social media accounts, brochures, pitch decks, year-end institutional impact reports, giving stories, annual report copy and compelling donor cultivation marketing pieces;Develops, writes and edits compelling fundraising collateral, including annual fund solicitations, stewardship copy for gift acknowledgement letters and other materials, campaign messaging and support materials, and library of materials to support fundraising projects;Assists the VP for Development by providing support for their communications needs, including drafting select emails and other correspondence; while also assists the fundraising team with writing, editing and proofreading meeting briefs, CEO talking points, strategic fundraising summaries, and other meeting and event materials; and,Assists with additional writing projects as assigned by the supervisor and/or the VP in response to the needs of the organization. Administration - 5%Maintains grant and report due dates in Raiser's Edge NXT, reporting monthly on deadlines;Tracks/records grant/proposals using designated systems (NXT and Dynamics); produces regular reports;Collaborates with the Development Coordinator to ensure timely and accurate input of all donor communications and information into database;Achieves and sustains fluency on RFF research and priorities by meeting with researchers to discuss current work and project concepts and attending academic seminars and events;Seeks training to gain necessary development knowledge and to remain current on development trends and practices; and,Performs other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONSBachelor's degree, and 3-5 years of related professional experience required; experience writing grants, reports, and other fundraising and development-related materials strongly preferred.Extensive experience with writing and editing a variety of complex communications materials for print and digital platforms for targeted internal and external audiences.Must have demonstrate experience working a fast paced work environment, and must thrive in managing a portfolio consisting of multiple concurrent projects and many individual collaborators.Exceptional communication skills with solid foundation in grammar, spelling and composition.Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to effectively multi-task and meet deadlines.Excellent interpersonal skills including strong listening and interpretive skills with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships and develop an understanding of diverse subject matters and areas across the RFF research areas.Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, including the ability to manage up with executive leadership.Ability to produce compelling narratives, as well as materials that align with RFFs mission in a timely manner.Ability to translate RFF research topics into compelling fundraising messages.Knowledge of AP style.Positive, helpful, and proactive demeanor with positive "customer service" can-do attitudeability to build bridges within a complex organization with multiple, sometimes competing, interests and to represent the Development Department in a professional manner in meetings and conversations with colleagues from across the organization.Exceptional attention to detail required. All interested applicants for this role should submit a thoughtful cover letter and current resume via www.rff.org/about/careers. Please include your salary requirements in your cover letter. We look for candidates who are already authorized to work in the US and are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position. RFF benefits include a collegial environment, 20 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 3 days family medical leave, 10 paid holidays, medical insurance, educational assistance, and commuter benefits. Due to the anticipated volume of interest, we are unable to respond to telephone or email inquiries regarding this position.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert