JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Current open position
Deadline for applications: September 17, 2009
Director Of External Affairs
For The California Council For The Humanities
CALIFORNIA COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES
The California Council for the Humanities (CCH) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect Californians to ideas and one another in order to understand our shared heritage and diverse cultures, inspire civic participation, and shape our future. Throughout its history CCH has supported and created award-winning programs, including community-based history programs, youth programs, statewide reading and discussion programs, and Academy Award-winning documentary films. CCH is an independent state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which provides a stable base of core funding. Created in 1975 as a grant making organization, CCH also creates and manages programs of its own.
CCH supplements its annual grant from NEH by raising additional funds from foundations, government sources and individual donors. CCH has just completed a strategic planning process and the director of external affairs will join the staff and board in shaping a new direction for expanded development and communication efforts.
POSITION SUMMARY
The director of external affairs is responsible for developing, implementing and managing the day-to-day execution of CCH’s fundraising and communication plans. This position reports to the executive director, supervises the development officer and the public information manager, identifies and oversees the work of regular and occasional freelancers and consultants, and serves on the management team to formulate and implement policies and plans to meet the CCH's short- and long-term objectives.
FUND DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- In concert with the executive director and other appropriate staff
- develop and implement the fundraising strategies of the new strategic plan, including increasing foundation support, developing new sources of government funding, expanding individual donor giving and establishing a Leadership Council;
- manage a comprehensive fundraising program, which includes public and private funder solicitation, annual giving, and individual donor development
- Collaborate with the board, collectively and individually, and work in partnership with the board development committee to increase the board’s fundraising capacity and effectiveness
- Develop an events program for individual giving and donor cultivation
- Oversee CCH fundraising mailings, including mailing list and electronic listserv maintenance
- Oversee grant writing and coordination of proposal submissions and funder reports, communication, and compliance
- Develop and manage annual budgets and quarterly budget reports
- Report regularly to the executive director, development committee and CCH board on the progress of fundraising efforts.
COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES
- In concert with the executive director, public information officer and other appropriate staff create, manage and implement annual communication plans to raise the visibility of CCH, its programs and its interests
- Represent the Council to a variety of constituents, including philanthropic decision makers, the press, advisors, partners and the public
- Lead CCH rebranding efforts and implement strategies and tactics to enhance the Council's identity and visibility
- Ensure that the organization's main messages are consistently and effectively conveyed and that its credibility as a trustworthy source of information is maintained
- Direct Web development activities, providing leadership and creativity in improving the functional aspects of the CCH's Web site, and other internet-based communications, including use of social networking tools
- Oversee all aspects of media relations. Use existing relationships and develop new ones, with journalists, editorial boards and other information sources of importance to consistently disseminate the work of CCH
- Oversee communication, including written communication, design, images, interactive and traditional media
- Ensure print, Web site and other communication meet brand image standards and accurately reflect and communicate key strategies
- Ensure that program-specific mailing lists and other communication vehicles are regularly updated
- Monitor news coverage and external events, with an eye toward taking advantage of opportunities for promoting CCH's work
- Develop and manage annual budgets and quarterly budget reports
- Report regularly to the executive director, development committee and CCH board on the progress of communication efforts.
SUPERVISION OF STAFF
Supervise the work and ongoing professional development of the public information manager and the development officer.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS
- Represent CCH to a variety of constituents, including philanthropic decision makers, the press, advisors, partners, consultants and the public
- Collaborate with CCH staff as needed on projects
- Attend board meetings; serve as staff liaison to the board’s development committee
- Attend staff meetings; provide regular development reporting tailored for staff
- Work with staff and board to advance fundraising, public relations and organizational performance
- Create and oversee processes to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of internal and external communication
- Other duties as assigned by the executive director that support the overall objective of the position and the mission of CCH.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven success developing, implementing and managing a fundraising strategy that includes individual, foundation and government giving
- Proven success developing, implementing and managing a communication strategy that includes traditional and electronic media.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and managing events
- Ability to formulate and execute plans efficiently and effectively
- Fluency with budgeting and financial reporting
- Experience managing and inspiring staff to achieve organizational goals and objectives
- Experience working in a team environment
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines effectively and with grace
- Demonstrated capacity as a problem solver with strong strategic, organizational and management abilities
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Background in and passion for the humanities.
This position is located in San Francisco. Candidates must be willing to travel as part of their work. CCH is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse staff.
Salary range: $75,000-$85,000.
How to Apply: Please email a letter of interest and resume to:
jobs@calhum.org
Subject line: Director of External Affairs
Applications will be accepted through Thursday, September 17, 2009.
No phone calls, please.
