Outreach and Engagement Specialist - Friends of the Children

This role is a perfect opportunity for an individual who would like to gain experience in development with a growing and dynamic nonprofit. 

Friends of the Children – Lane County is hiring an Outreach and Engagement Specialist to join our growing family. Reporting to the Executive Director, the individual will oversee external communications and stakeholder cultivation strategies to build engagement with and inspire financial support of the organization.

The successful candidate will thrive on building long-term relationships and partnerships and will be a stellar communicator with a sharp head for business, a splash of creative style, and spark thrown in. They will also be self-motivated, proactive, results driven, and deeply passionate about the mission of Friends – Lane County.

The Outreach and Engagement Specialist will work closely with the Executive Director, Operations Manager, and Development Committee of the Board of Directors to connect the Lane County Community to Friends of the Children.

If you are seeking an opportunity to join a lean team with an energetic, whatever-it-takes, start-up approach, here’s what we have to offer you: 

• Experienced and committed leadership who will mentor and partner with you in your role.
• An engaged, motivated Board that works hard, gives generously, and raises funds.
• Strong, cohesive local and national team support committed to innovation and high standards.
• Respect for work-life balance. You’ll work hard, and we expect you to recharge your batteries.
• Salary: $50,000-65,000/yr
• Comprehensive benefits package.

Intrigued? Want to know more? To learn more about the position’s responsibilities and qualifications see below:

Basic Function / Position Objective:  

The Outreach and Engagement Specialist is responsible for partnering with the Executive Director to champion external communications, cultivate stakeholders and meet annual revenue goals. They are also responsible for ensuring that marketing products and stakeholders events are successful in supporting and sustaining the mission of Friends – Lane County.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

In partnership with the Executive Director (ED) and the Board of Directors (BOD), The Outreach and Engagement Specialist ensures that:

• All external communications, including, but not limited to, newsletters, social media and direct communications are consistent with the Organizational values and standard of excellence, and effectively build awareness of the organization and promote financial support of the organization.
• Sufficient stakeholder engagement strategies, including events and individual donor strategies are being deployed to sustain financial support of the organization.
• Visual, written and audio assets are created that enable compelling storytelling without putting on undue burden on Friends core activities and staff.

The Outreach and Engagement Specialist is a member of the Friends -Lane County leadership team. They will demonstrate a range of skills and abilities that strengthen the organization’s collective wisdom and experience, and will contribute to strategic and operational planning, continued growth, and sustainability of the organization.

General

• Exude a passion for serving youth facing the most challenging situations
• Actively participate in aspects of planning, budgeting, and managing the growth and development of the organization through philanthropy

• Develop and maintain knowledge of local and national issues related to the organization’s mission in order to serve as an effective, compelling spokesperson for the organization.

• Make, and in some cases attend, appointments with/for ED with foundation officers and other donor prospects, arrange for onsite tours for supporters (foundation officers, foundation trustees)
• Prepare timely, specific, and relevant materials for development meetings and conversations, including providing strategic input and knowledge about potential return on investment for different outreach strategies
• Identify and utilize creative methods for gathering stories from Friends and the Family Engagement Specialist and design materials to be shared as appropriate
• Strive to ensure that organization’s commitment to equity is reflected in all decisions, communications, and processes. 

Communications and Relationship Building

• Collaborate in creating a comprehensive Communications Strategy that provides guides annual engagement with donors/stakeholders including strategies and timelines associated with newsletters, emails, social media posts, event communications, direct outreach (phone/text/mail) and potentially advertising.
• Coordinate implementation of the Communications strategy with other members of the organization as necessary.
• Oversee strategy, production and implementation of newsletters and reports to generate brand awareness and inspire financial support.
• Oversee all direct mail campaigns and development of mailing lists. Provide leadership for key messaging in alignment with other organizational messaging. 

Development

• Participate as a key member of the BOD’s Development Committee, including helping support the BOD’s Committee Champion
• Identify, evaluate, and provide research on individuals to use in advancing prospective major gift donor relationships. Work with Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop strategy for engaging identified prospective donors
• Update and maintain the Organization’s Donor Development Tool and Donor Database
• In collaboration with other members of the team:
  • plan and implement at least 5 successful donor engagement events each year, including at least one larger scale event aimed at cultivating new donors
  • implement an Annual Giving Campaign in conjunction with the end of the calendar year
  • develop, implement, and sustain the organization’s major gifts programs, including the development and execution of strategies to ensure the effective and timely cultivation and solicitation of major donors and prospects
  • create and implement board stewardship program; create systems to ensure board members follow up with prospects and engage new supporters for Friends – Lane County.
• Coordinate with ED and board on revenue targets and achievements.
• Help contribute to grant development and track and contribute to reports on grant progress. 

Essential Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Excellent organization, time management, delegation, and follow-up skills 
• Be willing and able to attend and actively participate in team meetings, staff functions, and development events
• Possess commitment to extreme attention to detail, including but not limited to ability to implement self-checking procedures for data entry, produce accurate correspondence and reports, and produce and edit written materials accurately and consistently
• Have excellent project management and organizational skills to routinely manage and prioritize daily work and meet multiple deadlines simultaneously, especially during high-volume times of the year
• Demonstrate ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
• Be a self-starter with high level of initiative and willingness to learn
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to design and create stunning graphic communications

Required Education, Experience, and Abilities:

• Passion for Friends – Lane County’s mission and a deep commitment to equity.
• Associate degree required, bachelor’s degree preferred. 3+ years of fundraising experience in a non-profit setting or 2-3 years professional experience in sales, marketing and/or comparable experience.
• Professionals with 5+ years of professional communications and/or development experience may be considered for a higher salary range of $50-$65k,