What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Development & Communications position at California Association of Food Banks?
Position Summary: Reporting to the Vice President of External Affairs, this role leads integrated fundraising and communications strategies that strengthen relationships, elevate our mission, and support the long-term growth needed to serve our member food banks.
This position is central to connecting our mission with donors, members, and the broader community—ensuring every external touchpoint reflects our values, demonstrates our impact, and advances our shared commitment to ending hunger in California.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Partnership
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including generous employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans; retirement program with employer contribution; life insurance; PTO, and more.
This position is central to connecting our mission with donors, members, and the broader community—ensuring every external touchpoint reflects our values, demonstrates our impact, and advances our shared commitment to ending hunger in California.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Partnership
- Partner with the Vice President of External Affairs to shape and implement a comprehensive development and communications strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
- Serve as a thought partner on donor engagement, storytelling, and external positioning.
- Establish and track performance metrics to strengthen impact, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Supervise and support one direct report and consultant, fostering professional growth, accountability, and a collaborative cross-functional team.
- Manage departmental budget and resources responsibly and transparently.
- Provide regular reports for the VP External Affairs, Leadership Team and Board.
- Lead and grow a diversified fundraising program, including individual giving, foundation, corporate partnerships, and special events.
- Build authentic, long-term relationships with donors and partners, centering stewardship, and shared commitment to mission.
- Oversee grant development, ensuring strong alignment with the organization goals, funding opportunities, and timely/accurate reporting requirements.
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit fundraising standards and ethical practices.
- Oversee development systems, including CRM, Salesforce and reporting tools, ensuring data integrity and donor stewardship.
- Manage and ensure accuracy of the donor database (Salesforce) and tracking of communications across the External Affairs Team.
- Provide strategic direction on external communications, including donor updates, newsletters, and digital content.
- Facilitate the creation of professional materials consistent with our branding, messaging, and voice across all platforms (e.g. website, Annual Report, promotional materials, social media).
- Ensure ethical and strength-based storytelling practices are upheld across communications.
- Create compelling written content including presentations, blogs, speeches, and other materials.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, Nonprofit Management, Marketing, or a related field
- 5-7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, communications, or external affairs.
- Strong experience with development operations, including donor pipelines, prospect research, moves management, CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), and data tracking.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and relationship-based philanthropy.
- Strong experience in strategic communications, storytelling, and brand management.
- Required experience with copywriting, including writing press releases, blogs, and donor and digital communications.
- Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proven ability to manage and develop staff.
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including generous employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans; retirement program with employer contribution; life insurance; PTO, and more.