Director of Development Communications

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has a new position for a Director of Development Communications to join its fundraising leadership team. Reporting to and collaborating with the Chief Development Officer, this person will help to create the fundraising plans, goals, messaging, and budget that align with SELC’s strategic vision and annual program implementation—and ensures coordination and top performance in and among all areas. 

It is an exciting time to join SELC’s development team, which is currently going through a strategic refresh and expansion to support the organization’s long-term goals. This newly created Director of Development Communications role will advance the organization’s multi-faceted fundraising with the goal of engaging and informing both new and existing donors and prospects. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation. 

This is a full-time, exempt position that can be based in any of SELC ‘s offices. SELC currently has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work at home up to two days a week. This is a position with region-wide focus and responsibility that requires occasional, well-planned travel. All employees must reside in our region. SELC will provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position.  

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Lead and execute communications strategy for the development team; develop and advance a broad vision for utilizing communications to build and strengthen relationships with existing and prospective donors; create plans to implement that vision and measure progress. 
• Develop and supervise the development communications team. This growing team currently consists of two development writers. In addition, this team works closely with the SELC Communications team which includes additional writers, graphic designers and marketing professionals. 
• Maintain and enhance inter-departmental relationships, particularly with the Communications team, to ensure that development communications are well coordinated with other communications and strategies across the organization. 
• Serve as lead writer and editor for all communications produced by the department including foundation reports and proposals, printed and digital appeals, handouts and development collateral, event materials, email and website copy, and other fundraising content. 
• Coordinate with development colleagues in foundation relations, individual giving, annual giving, and donor relations to meet communications needs and to align messaging across development functions. 
• In partnership with the CDO and leadership team, set goals, metrics, and strategies for team members. Provide regular feedback and coaching to direct reports and others. 

Required Qualifications:  

• A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Minimum seven years of professional fundraising and/or communications experience. 
• Demonstrated success as a manager preferred. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience creating marketing collateral, writing institutional emails, and developing proposals and reports. 
• Expertise in best practices related to email copy, letters of appeal, proposals, and other development collateral and ability to disseminate that knowledge to colleagues and collaborators. 
• Ability to write persuasively in a variety of different business styles, including a natural ability to craft narratives and to adapt writing style to a variety of voices when writing for others. 
• Demonstrated success in setting priorities, coordinating multiple projects, handling details, and working effectively under pressure. 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. You have a genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. You engage in ongoing personal learning and are eager to contribute to our organizational efforts in this area. 
• Commitment to environmental, climate, and environmental justice issues. Familiarity and experience engaging donors about climate change and energy issues is a plus, or a willingness to quickly learn and develop knowledge on these issues. 

About SELC:  

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC. 

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.  

Compensation & Benefits:  

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. The starting salary range for this position is $110,000- $125,000, commensurate with experience. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page. 

SELC is a PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) eligible employer. 

SELC will also provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address. 

To Apply:  

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and one writing sample. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is 9/6/2024. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  

APPLY NOW

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.