Senior Manager Community Relations

Are you ready to make a real impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities? Do you have a passion for helping others reach their fullest potential? If so, New Avenues to Independence is looking for someone just like you to join our team as a Senior Manager Community Relations.

Position Overview:

To provide ongoing community relations and communications efforts to increase and diversify the financial resources of the organization in accordance with the mission and strategic plan. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in community engagement, fundraising and grant management.

What you’ll do:

• Implement community engagement strategies to foster positive relationships with stakeholders, local organizations, and community members.
• Execute marketing strategies to enhance brand awareness and promote a positive image in the community.
• Develops communications operating plan consistent with NATI’s strategic plan and works with the agency to ensure consistent overall messaging and to deliver broad impact.
• Builds relations with agency’s constituencies including media, clients, government officials, community professionals, families, and funders; increases the reach and consideration of NATI’s work and enhances its reputation as a prominent and respected disability services agency.
• Uses content management systems and social media channels proficiently; maintains database of public relations and donor contacts.
• Develops ideas and opportunities for feature articles, interviews, presentations, and other public relations activities that promote awareness of the company and its products or services.
• To serve as liaison to local, state, and federal government agencies on community relations issues.
• Create content for newsletters, press releases, and social media to engage donors and the community.
• Establishes and maintains a comprehensive public awareness program for New Avenues. Duties include establishing news media, civic organization and other organization contacts for presentation New Avenues and citizens with disabilities in a favorable manner to the public.
• Disseminates information about New Avenues, its programs, services and residents/consumers by speaking to groups and leading tours.
• Develops fund development operating plan and implements all fundraising strategies, goals and programs including institutional/grant writing, individual giving, major donor programs, corporate sponsorships, and events.
• Participates in all aspects of the gift cycle including initiating contacts with potential donors, developing appropriate cultivation strategies for them, moving potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure, making solicitations when appropriate, and maintaining stewardship contacts with donors.
• Manages, organizes, directs and coordinates fundraising activities.
• Perform the grant writing function of the development office, to include foundation, government and corporate fundraising, and grant proposals.
• Provide regular reports on key performance indicators and make data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Work closely with the executive team to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities and goals.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Fundraising or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in community relations, marketing, or a related role.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in event planning and execution.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and digital marketing strategies.
• Familiarity with fundraising software and donor management systems.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.