Director of Development & Communications

Position Summary: The Director of Development and Communications provides strategic leadership, vision, and management for all development and communications functions of the organization. This role is responsible for securing philanthropic revenue from non-governmental sources; strengthening brand awareness; guiding agency-wide communication strategies; cultivating meaningful donor and community relationships; and ensuring that the department operates in full alignment with the agency’s mission, goals, and regulatory requirements. The Director works closely with internal and external stakeholders to advance fundraising initiatives, steward donor engagement, and elevate the organization’s public presence. Universal Competencies: Universal competencies are competency requirements that apply to all Sparc positions (Exempt & Non-Exempt, Part-time, Full-time, PRN, Supervisory and Non-Supervisory). Universal Competencies support our mission and are consistent with Sparc’s core values; they are: Collaboration/Positive Impact: Ability to work with a variety of individuals and teams in a constructive and civil manner, utilizing existing resources, training, and learning to achieve or exceed desired outcomes while integrating Sparc’s core values to “TEACH, COACH, and MENTOR.” Proficiency Levels & Typical Behaviors: Extensive

• Ensures time, resources, energy, learning opportunities, and actions are focused on priorities important to the changing workplace.
• Identifies and resolves disagreements/conflicts in early stages.
• Promotes a safe, fair, respectful environment in which concerns can be addressed effectively.
• Recommends changes to work practices and policies to achieve desired outcomes
  
  

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and respectful manner while appreciating the unique contribution of an inclusive workforce that brings together the talents of people across multiple identities. Proficiency Levels & Typical Behaviors: Extensive

• Promotes a respectful, diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment in which concerns are addressed effectively.
• Can identify policies and practices that have a disparate impact on specific populations.
• Recommends policies and practices to advance an equitable, inclusive work environment and counter racism, sexism, and other forms of systemic bias.
• Forms respectful relationships with individuals and organizations representing diverse constituencies and seeks regular input to better understand diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and enhance recruitment efforts.
• Engages in ongoing self-reflection and continues to advance one’s own personal knowledge and skills related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  
  

Service Excellence/Customer Focus: Ability to meet or exceed service needs and expectations of persons served and provide excellent service in a direct or indirect manner. Ability to effectively transmit and interpret information through appropriate communication with internal and external constituents, stakeholders, and the community. Proficiency Levels & Typical Behaviors: Extensive

• Participates in developing a variety of effective ways to deal with service challenges.
• Models service delivery and will coach others to deliver excellent service in a variety of settings.
• Communicates well with direct reports, peers, leadership, and external constituents.
• Utilizes various methods for information sharing and information gathering. Modifies process(es) to enhance service and outcomes.
  
  

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership and Departmental Oversight: (Essential and Non-Modifiable)
• Provide Directions, supervision, and mentorship to development and communications staff, including direct oversight of the Grants Coordinator.
• Develop and execute departmental improvement and expansion initiatives aligned with agency-wide priorities.
• Establish annual departmental goals, performance indicators, and evaluation benchmarks to measure effectiveness.
• Ensure productive cross-departmental collaboration to support organizational cohesion and shared mission outcomes.
• Fund Development and Donor Relations: (Essential and Non-Modifiable)
• Lead all fundraising activities, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, planned giving efforts, and foundation relations.
• Develop and implement strategies for donor acquisition, cultivation, stewardship, and long-term relationship building.
• Oversee all fundraising events, such as the Annual Breakfast and Annual Appeal, ensuring event objectives, revenue goals, and engagement outcomes are met.
• Manage donor recognition activities, ensuring thoughtful, timely, and accurate acknowledgment processes.
• Identify and pursue new revenue-generating opportunities, partnerships, and initiatives to diversify and expand funding streams.
• Grant Strategy and Management: (Essential and Non-Modifiable)
• Provide guidance and high-level oversight for the grants function, including research, proposal development, compliance, and reporting.
• Ensure grant strategies support organizational goals and align with funding priorities and opportunities.
• Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations: (Essential and Non-Modifiable)
• Hold primary responsibility for all agency publications, branding, and media relations.
• Develop and oversee comprehensive communication strategies that effectively articulate the agency’s mission, programs, and impact.
• Lead the creation of digital content, including website updates, social media strategy, e-newsletters, and marketing collateral.
• Serve as the organization’s media liaison, cultivating positive relationships with local and regional media outlets to enhance visibility.
• Support crisis communication planning and implementation as needed.
• Community Engagement and Representation: (Essential and Non-Modifiable)
• Serve as representative of the organization within the community, building and maintaining relationships with funders, partners, businesses, families, guardians, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in select board, staff, and community committees and attend meetings on behalf of or in place of the Executive Director when appropriate.
• Cultivate and manage a robust volunteer network to support agency initiatives.
• Governance, Policy, and Compliance: (Essential and Non-Modifiable)
• Develop and recommend development and communication policies for board approval—both for departmental operations and agency-wide application.
• Ensure full compliance with all relevant local, state, and national regulations and accreditation standards.
• Prepare monthly reports for the Outreach & Philanthropic Committee and additional reports as requested.
• Fiscal Management: (Essential and Non-Modifiable)
• Implement systems for financial accountability, efficiency, and transparency across development and communication functions, while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.
• Collaboration & Community Engagement: (Essential and Non-Modifiable)
• Build and maintain productive relationships with external stakeholders such as partner agencies, funding sources, businesses, families, and guardians.
• Serves on assigned community committees to represent the agency and advocate for individuals supported.
• Mission Driven: Perform day-to-day duties that reflect Sparc’s mission and core values by being actively involved in the programs and the people that Sparc programs support. (Essential and Non-Modifiable)
• Additional Duties: Perform other agency-related duties as assigned or required reasonably within the scope of the above-mentioned duties. “Related duties as assigned” are duties that may not be listed explicitly in the class specification or position description but are duties within the general, occupational series, and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s class of work. (Essential and Non-Modifiable)
  
  

Qualifications: Education & Experience

• A High School Diploma is required.
• A bachelor’s degree in advertising, journalism, marketing, or a related area is preferred, or a related combination of education and experience from an accredited university or college is preferred.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in the field of development and public relations is required.
• Knowledge of community resources and dynamics.
• Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills with the ability to establish rapport with diverse staff, the individuals supported, families, guardians, and members of the Sparc community.
  
  

Other Requirements

• Must be detail-oriented with excellent analytical and organizational skills, including the proven ability to meet competing deadlines in a dynamic work environment.
• Previous experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health challenges, elderly populations, or in a healthcare setting is preferred.
• Must have basic knowledge and experience utilizing computers, electronic timekeeping systems, and various software programs, including Microsoft Word, database applications, desktop publishing, and Outlook.
• Must have a valid Illinois Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance.
• Must possess reliable transportation.
• The ability to occasionally work a flexible schedule as needed/required.
• The ability to physically handle any special needs of individuals supported by Sparc, to assist program staff in emergencies, including the ability to lift and transfer individuals as needed.

Benefits:

• Annual Salary Range: $75,000 to $83,500. A competitive salary will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, skills, specialized training, and education.
• Comprehensive benefits package includes medical, prescription, group-paid life, dental, and vision insurance for full-time staff.
• Pay rate increases for every 5 years of Sparc service.
• Ten to twenty-five (10-25) paid vacation days annually based on years of service.
• Employees earn three (3) paid personal days pro-rated based on start date.
• A minimum of eleven (11) paid holidays with the ability to earn additional leave time for holidays worked.
• Employees earn eight to twelve (8-12) paid sick days annually based on years of service.
• Retirement savings plan options.
• Pre-tax Healthcare Flexible Spending Account option.
• Pre-tax Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account option.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Supportive, mission-driven work environment.
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Work primarily performed at SparCenter or in community settings.
• Safety and security procedures for each work site must be followed.
• Staff in this role may be exposed to moderate noise levels and potential contact with various illnesses and diseases, with occasional exposure to physically threatening clients, bodily fluids, bloodborne and airborne diseases, viruses, communicable diseases, etc.