What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Community Engagement position at Harvesters - The Community Food Network?
Are you a versatile community builder with a passion for creating equitable access to nutritious food? Do you want to use your skills to help address the root causes and impact of hunger in the Kansas City area? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!
About Us: Harvesters employees are passionate: we want to improve how our neighbors access nutritious food. We’re a friendly, dedicated, and passionate bunch of folks. We offer a robust benefits package, including employee-paid medical, dental, life and disability insurance and a 403b plan. Our paid time off is generous and includes paid holidays. We’re building a hardworking and diverse team that works hard toward shared goals. We also support our employees’ growth and desire to live well-rounded lives.
The Role: Organize, lead, put into action, and review community engagement initiatives. The goal is to attract contributions of time, money, food, and support that satisfy and exceed the organization's needs.
Primary responsibilities:
- Lead the annual Community Engagement strategy, aligning team efforts with organizational priorities, fundraising goals, and brand visibility. Coach and support team members, fostering a collaborative and mission-driven culture.
- Drive volunteer recruitment and retention to meet operational needs and maintain a strong volunteer experience. Identify new community support opportunities across individuals, corporate partners, and civic or faith-based groups.
- Oversee food and virtual food drives and retail campaigns, setting goals and evaluating results.
- Strengthen relationships with volunteers and community partners; collaborate with Fund Development to advance giving and engagement.
- Manage the Community Engagement team in planning and executing impactful community events.
- Work closely with Fund Development, Communications, and Advocacy to ensure cohesive campaigns and messaging.
- Maintain responsible oversight of departmental budgets.
- Use data to guide decisions, track engagement metrics, and ensure accurate reporting.
- Represent the organization at community events and forums.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Other aspects of the job:
- Must be able to effectively communicate with all staff levels, board of directors, all volunteer demographics, i.e., organization management/staff, corporate leaders, senior and student volunteers, court-ordered volunteers, and representatives of various community food/fund drive sponsors to provide outstanding internal and external customer service.
- Keen attention to detail and skilled in planning and organization.
- Ability to multi-task and collaborate as a team to achieve goals in a fast-paced work environment.
- Ongoing out-of-hours community engagement commitments required.
- Have a dedication to the mission of Harvesters.
- This position functions in an office environment and requires travel within the service area. Requires use of general office equipment, such as telephone, computers, machines, calculators, fax and copiers. Extensive use of E-mail, phone and in-person interaction with supporters and potential supporters; development and management of staff that will work to match supporter interest with Harvesters need; detailed follow up required on relationship management with supporters/staff.
- This position requires an understanding of all Harvesters food safety policies and compliance with all food safety related procedures.
Qualifications:
- Required Experience: Minimum five years’ experience in volunteer management, special event and/or other community engagement programs, minimum five years in supervisory role, with increasing levels of responsibility, ability to take initiative, coordinate with others and follow through in a fast-paced environment; excellent written and oral communications’ skills, including presentation skills, computer literacy, including MS Office, Word and Excel.
- Preferred Experience: 5-7 years’ experience with community engagement programs; 5-7 years supervisory experience; CERVIS or other volunteer management database and/or fund-raising database; knowledge of KC’s philanthropic community
- Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in business, communications, non-profit or related field.
- Preferred Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in non-profit management or related field.
Harvesters is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources.