Director of Development and Communications

Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida (CLSMF) is seeking a motivated, mission driven individual for the position of Director of Development and Communications. As the primary provider of legal services to citizens in Central Florida, regardless of their ability to pay, CLSMF must grow its funding to support current service levels, but with the ambition of also expanding its services.

The position provides the Director with a unique opportunity to build a development program and drive the mass communications strategy forward. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who has the ambition, creativity, and drive to shape an effective program that will grow the revenue necessary to support the important work of CLSMF.

Specific job requirements include:
·       Leading the strategy with the development team in securing and renewing institutional and foundation funding;

·       Working with the current pool of donors, board members, and others to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors in a manner that builds long-term relationships and grows support from individuals and organizations such as law firms;

·       Implementing a comprehensive development plan that includes an aggressive Annual Fund, along with developing major and planned gifts;

·       Setting appointments for board members and the Executive Director with foundation officers, individual donors and prospects and preparing materials for these meetings;

·       Working with the development staff and Board to manage the law firm giving campaign;

·       Researching  individual donor prospects and their capability to give; providing the Director and Board members with necessary background and materials for personal solicitations to prospective supporters;

·       Serving as the Board liaison and managing Board members’ fundraising commitments;

·       Strengthening and maintaining existing databases related to development;

·       Managing postal and electronic appeals to donors and prospects;

·       Managing external communications with the communications team, including website, social media, newsletters, press releases and media advisories, and media relations;

·       Leveraging strategic use of traditional press vehicles and online tools, developing press opportunities and speaking engagements, developing and leading a proactive media plan designed to heighten the organization's visibility

·       Managing a media relations and media contacts database, serving as press contact for organization;

·       Implementing special events and events to raise awareness;

·       Performing other related duties as assigned.