Director of Development and Communications

About this position

ABOUT MISSION POSSIBLE

Mission Possible is a non-profit organization and social enterprise located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. We support individuals challenged by homelessness, poverty, addiction, mental illness, and other barriers to employment to achieve a renewed sense of dignity and purpose through meaningful work. Through our Employment Readiness Program and our social enterprises, we equip our program participants with the skills, confidence, and support they need to rejoin the workforce and rebuild a self-sustaining livelihood for themselves.

ABOUT THE JOB

Position Type: Permanent full-time, 40hrs/wk

Key Benefits:

• Three week's vacation
• Organization-paid life and extended health benefits after 90 days
• RRSP matching after 90 days
• Professional development opportunities 

Job Summary

Working in concert with the Executive Director, the Director of Development and Communications (DDC) will be responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, implementation, and execution of fundraising and communications initiatives for Mission Possible, including donor engagement, stewardship, grants, events, marketing, and public relations. As a member of Mission Possible’s Leadership Team, the DDC will be involved in organizational decision-making and problem-solving, and will be a strong voice supporting our core values, core focus and culture of care.

Working Conditions

The DDC is an in-person role that will report to the Executive Director, and will work closely with other members of the Leadership Team, the Development Team, and other Mission Possible staff. They will interact with donors of all levels, community partners, volunteers, and program participants. Much work will take place in the Mission Possible office and require a great deal of multi-tasking, efficiency, and flexibility. Some off-site work may occur, including events, photo and video shoots, donor meetings, and donation pick-ups.

Key Areas of Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy

• Develop and execute a robust and strategic fundraising plan to ensure the targets are met and budgeted funds are raised to meet organizational priorities
• Identify areas for growth and among various private and public fundraising sectors to expand the funding opportunities and donor base
• Continue to improve and implement effective stewardship strategies to strengthen relationships with existing donors and supporters
• Lead the development of fundraising campaigns, including annual appeals and direct marketing campaigns, to maximize yearly revenue.

Donor Engagement and Cultivation

• Manage all aspects of donor acquisition and engagement, including monthly donors, individual giving, grants and foundations, legacy giving, major donors, and corporate and financial community partnerships 
• Coordinate and manage the Mission Possible Gala, any additional promotional and donor engagement events
• Support other businesses and organizations to successfully host third party fundraising events
• Oversee administration of the donor management system and ensure accurate receipting for all charitable gifts

Leadership and Collaboration

• Participate in the leadership and governance of the organization through weekly, quarterly and annual meetings that provide regular accountability through setting and monitoring of KPIs  
• Lead, mentor, elevate, and empower the members of the Development Team, which consists of 4-10 tenacious individuals, as well as contracted fundraising and communications consultants
• Work with all necessary teams within Mission Possible to identify community needs and align those with funding opportunities
• Demonstrate a positive professional presence, inspiring and building confidence both within MP and among a broad range of constituencies
• Demonstrate a commitment to the MP’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion priorities, ensuring that diverse audiences are represented, promoted, and engaged.

Communications

• Manage all aspects of communications and marketing for the organization
• Research and initiate new development, media, and other PR opportunities to expand Mission Possible’s public profile and donor base
• Build, protect and manage the organization's brand, including ensuring adherence to branding guidelines, graphic standards, and ensuring that messaging of the organization is consistent with Mission Possible’s, values, voice, and mission
• Work with the ERP Program teams to develop effective ways to share our work and
• implement storytelling strategies that raise the profile of the impact, reaching new supporters and engage existing supporters.

Financial Management

• Monitor revenue streams, expenses, and fundraising metrics to track progress and identify areas for enhancement
• Provide oversight and accurate tracking to all funds committed, received, receipted, and reported on as needed
• Report on a weekly and quarterly basis on grant applications, major gifts, and other funding streams to advise on challenges and shortfalls or surpluses expected in order to help with financial planning and foresight

ABOUT YOU

Our ideal candidate has:

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities 

• Knowledge of strategic and operational planning
• Knowledge of fundraising best practices, ethical standards, and legal requirements related to charitable giving
• Strong leadership qualities to quickly establish trust, respect and buy-in amongst supporters, donors, and staff
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with donors and supporters, and to connect with individuals of diverse abilities and backgrounds
• Demonstrated project and time management skills along with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Superior computer skills, including fundraising database and CRM experience, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and online auction software
• Ability to work independently and lead a team confidently under pressure
• Knowledge of, and compassion for, the complex challenges and demographic of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, fundraising, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of success in donor cultivation, grant writing, and fundraising strategy development
• CFRE designation considered an asset
• Experience working in the Downtown Eastside community is an asset
• Coaching experience is an asset
• Access to a vehicle is an asset

APPLICATIONS
While we appreciate all interested candidates, only those we wish to screen and interview will be contacted. We will be interviewing candidates on a rolling basis until we find the right fit, so we encourage you to get your application in as soon as possible. Thank you for your interest!

We value, support, and thrive in a diverse and inclusive workplace. Those with diverse abilities are encouraged to apply. If you require specific accommodations during the application process, please specify the specific accommodations in your cover letter.