The Inland Ocean Coalition (IOC) seeks an experienced, dynamic, and motivated professional with a passion for ocean protection to lead our development and communications activities during a period of exciting momentum and growth. This role will focus on telling the organization’s story through an engaging and robust digital marketing presence, including through social media, website, and email marketing. The role will also be responsible for raising funds and maintaining relationships with donors, including soliciting new sources of revenue, submitting grants, and putting our donor stewardship strategy into action.
The Development and Communications Manager will split time working remotely and at the IOC office in Boulder, Colorado for approximately 35 hours/week. For the right candidate, we will consider applications from outside the Boulder/Denver area.
Donor Development
- Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan to recruit, update, respond to, track, and follow-up on all prospective and lapsed donors by focusing on annual individual giving, in-kind, and corporate giving
- Manage and oversee the IOC database to track and report on all donor-related activity, including recording all organization income, event participation, in-kind contributions, sponsorships, and other giving in an overall effort to optimize fundraising and friend-raising opportunities
- Create a Corporate/Business Sponsorship Program and fundraising deck
- Create and design content for appeal letters, fundraiser invitations, donor thank-yous, and other donor development materials through IOC database to ensure that supporters are appropriately recognized and appreciated
- Provide analysis and recommendations to Executive Director on database information to ensure optimal fundraising efforts and report on the effectiveness of fundraising campaigns
- Partner with IOC Events Coordinator on special events and fundraisers, including invitations, promotion, and auction to ensure successful donor and philanthropic experiences
- Assist Executive Director with Letters of Inquiry and grant submissions and provide support in writing and organizing grant/funding asks
- Oversee grant deliverables, reports and deadlines
Communications
- Manage all IOC marketing and communications, including high-quality printed materials, website, annual report, newsletter, social media, and blog
- Co-design and implement annual communications plan with consultant and work closely with staff to ensure plan is on track
- Work collaboratively with staff to develop marketing plans for key programs and events
- Serve as IOC content editor (grants, policy comment letters, reports, handouts, outreach materials, etc.)
- Amplify key social media messages/action alerts from partners and collaborators
- Supervise select interns and/or job-specific volunteers
- Attend quarterly Board Meetings, provide reports, and attend relevant committee meetings
Required Skills and Qualifications
Qualified candidates will have a passion for the IOC’s mission and for ocean/water/environmental protection, along with:
- Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) and a minimum of five years of related experience
- Demonstrated ability to secure funding from institutional funders, individual donors, and corporate sponsors
- Excellent interpersonal skills and proven experience cultivating and stewarding donors
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including with developing consistent messaging, compelling campaigns, and a cohesive communications platform
- Strong proficiency in email marketing, web-based marketing tools, social media platforms, and running digital ads
- A strong background in environmental/watershed/ocean stewardship
- Event planning experience
- A positive attitude, strong teamwork ethic, and excellent leadership skills
- Ability to be strategic, creative, and flexible in the planning and execution of goals and strategies
- Works well with people at all levels to develop and maintain beneficial relationships with colleagues, donors, and community members
- Ability to perform well under pressure and time constraints and prioritize multiple tasks with limited instruction and supervision
- Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends
- Experience with WordPress and Salsa Engage (or other similar donor software) are a strong plus
