Community and Donor Relations Manager (4905)

Schedule/Hours: Full-Time - 40 hours weekly - May include some weekend work

This position is responsible for:

Providing supportive services and will be expected to participate in the full range of development activities. The Community and Donor Relations Manager position ensures that community resources are solicited to assist social services and youth and adult programs using public relations, media, and written materials including but not limited to program information materials or brochures, newsletters, mail appeals, special events materials and other solicitations. Responsible for the volunteer program which utilizes selected volunteers to assist program staff in client services and special projects. Also responsible for the cultivation of donors to ensure continued growth in The Salvation Army support. The Community and Donor Relations Manager will be responsible for planning and implementation of an effective community/public/media relations program to enhance the image and understand of the programs of The Salvation Army, to organize, manage and direct special events to support Hagerstown Command programs, and serves as technical expert for the Command and officers to provide professional assistance in making volunteer program administration decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Relations

• Plan and implement an effective public relations and marketing program to educate the community and promote local Army programs and services.
• Serve as liaison to the public and the media to promote awareness of The Salvation Army. Coordinate media relations, including preparing press releases, establishing relationships with local media, handling all media calls and coordinating interviews with appropriate Army staff.
• Coordinates Special Projects, Volunteer Resources, and Donor Resources.

Donor Relations

• Develops custom letters for solicitation of funds from donors that will be used by True Sense for mass mailings as requested; attends meetings with True Sense to review recommendations on monetary solicitations.
• Sets-up Hagerstown’s “100” top donors and meets with them and calls them to develop a relationship on a regular basis. Works closely with Divisional Headquarters Resource Development and Planned Giving staff.
• Informs the Corps Officer of any large gifts so that he/she can contact them.
• Updates Donor Management System (Interchange).
• Serve as staff liaison to the Advisory Board including attending regular monthly meetings to give update on development work; work with the Corps Officer and the Nomination Committee on an ongoing basis to search for new members; coordinate tours for new members; develop an orientation guide and board member handbook for them to keep and use throughout the year; work with the Corps Officer and the entire board on a strategic plan and coordinate the implementation of the plan; plan and implement, along with board members, an Annual Civic Meeting to coincide with National Salvation Army Week; involve board members in all community activities and special events.
• Direct the cultivation and sustain an effective working relationship with area corporations, businesses, organizations and funders to ensure support for Corps programs. Include these target groups in a recognition program.
• Coordinate, develop, promote, and implement work with and by volunteers throughout the Command.
• Observe strict confidentiality in all personal and private matters concerning volunteers, refraining from premature or unauthorized release/disclosure of confidential information, except where duty requires communications with the officer in charge of the unit.
• Design and produce various brochures, articles, flyers, newsletters, annual reports and videos describing and promoting the programs and services of the Command. Produce and distribute a general information newsletter for donors, supporters, and corporations four times a year.

Special Events

• Staff the volunteer committee and manage all administrative tasks such as, mailings and thank you letters, keep track of money collected, track registration, maintain contracts for special events.
• Encourage and train all volunteers to perform more efficiently and effectively in their present assignments and try to develop their capabilities for larger responsibilities.
• Supervise the volunteer function throughout the command, requiring conformity to all official practices.
• Develop team spirit and encourage volunteers in their responsibilities; see that they know and understand what their duties and responsibilities are; that they have the knowledge of scheduled events, programs, and/or assignments.
• Develop a program for volunteers including all printed and related materials; continuing to review and upgrade the same.
• Develop goals and objectives for volunteer programming, assessing programs and designing systems to meet goals and needed changes.
• Develop and set up systems to successfully recruit volunteers, matching the right volunteer to the right job.
• National Salvation Army Week – continue to create new ways to celebrate the week by involving board members and community volunteers. Work on expanding the week to run from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day focusing on the three programs for children and families.
• Promote National Donut Day, reflecting the historical significance with The Salvation Army.
• Christmas program – coordinate with Social Services on the number of families registered for toys and the number of families to participate in the adopt-a-family program. Cultivate and sustain working relationships with area individuals, corporations and businesses to meet the needs of the children and families registered.

Website and Social Media

• Manages the website and social media platforms for the Hagerstown Command, which includes determining design and managing and monitoring content, with the oversight of Divisional Headquarters IT and Development Departments.
• Facilitates periodic design upgrades utilizing volunteers or paid vendors.

Grants and Contracts

• Seeks grant opportunities within the community.
• Secure funding for existing and future programs and services for the location.
• Maintains awareness of changing community and demographic needs: population, poverty, and consolidated plans for the community.
• Completes grant information so that they obtain proper approval.
• Tracks progress and ensure grant obligations are being successfully completed.

Disaster Services Responsibilities

• Develops media releases of current disaster services based on material provided by Divisional Headquarters.
• Attend Salvation Army training and seminars on disaster services as requested.
• Recruits volunteer teams for use during disaster.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Ability to meet attendance requirements.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate the English language.
• Ability to speak before large groups in person, by radio and television.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities and an administrative nature.
• Work is performed in a well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor setting with adequate ventilation. Some exposure to outdoor temperatures and physical discomforts with outdoor.

​​​​​​​Employee Benefits:

• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Savings Plan Available
• Supplemental Insurance Available
• Voluntary Life Insurance and more!

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or comparable experience in the field of business, public relations, or a related field AND 3-4 years development, public or community relations experience; OR
• any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid State Driver’s License required.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Veterans | Disabled

Salary : $55,000