The Director of Marketing, Development & Communications is a key leadership role responsible for executing WRTP | BIG STEP’s strategic communication priorities and fund development efforts in support of the organization’s mission and vision. This position provides strategic oversight of fund development, grants, marketing and communications, public relations, and public policy engagement by ensuring advocacy messaging aligns with the organization’s brand and tone, public statements do not conflict with policy strategy, and fundraising appeals support. As a member of the leadership team, the Director ensures the organization is positioned to respond to funding, workforce, and policy trends while strengthening brand credibility, stakeholder relationships, and long-term financial health.
Scope and Impact
Advises on public and private fundraising strategy.
- Executes public and private fundraising strategy in alignment with CEO, COO, and Board of Directors’ vision.
- Oversees organizational marketing, communications, and brand management, including direct management of the marketing department team.
- Drives policy and partnership strategies that expand funding access and program opportunities.
- Informs organizational strategy through funding intelligence, research, and performance data.
- Serves as a primary external liaison with funders, policymakers, media, and partners.
Key Responsibilities
Fund Development and Financial Sustainability
- Assist executive management in developing, implementing, and continuously refining a diversified fund development strategy aligned with organizational priorities and growth objectives.
- Consult with executive management and proper team members on grant strategy, proposal development, submission, contract negotiation, compliance, and reporting across public and private funding streams.
- Identify emerging funding opportunities and present to CEO and COO to assess strategic fit, risk, and return on investment.
- Lead and as needed, directly write or cowrite grant proposals, narratives, and supporting materials across public and private funding sources.
- Cultivate, steward, and retain relationships with foundations, corporate partners, government agencies, and individual donors.
- Ensure clear and effective communication with finance, program, and data teams to promote accurate budgeting, performance monitoring, and outcome reporting tied to funding.
- Collaborate with executive management to establish fundraising benchmarks, monitor performance, and implement corrective strategies as needed.
- Support the CEO and COO in major gift cultivation, strategic partnerships, and high‑value funding opportunities.
Marketing, Communications, and Brand Leadership
- Set and oversee the organization’s marketing, communications, and public relations strategy to support fundraising, partnerships, and public engagement.
- Lead, supervise, and develop the marketing department team, establishing clear goals, priorities, and performance expectations.
- Provide executive oversight and direction for marketing deliverables; the marketing team or external partners primarily perform tactical execution.
- Oversee content strategy, messaging, and storytelling across print, digital, media, and stakeholder communications.
- Ensure consistent, professional brand identity and voice across all platforms and audiences.
- Guide media relations, thought leadership, and external communications during both planned initiatives and emerging issues.
- Align marketing and communications strategies with program outcomes, research findings, and organizational priorities.
Leadership Collaboration
- Advise executive leadership on funding trends, external risks, reputational considerations, and strategic positioning.
- Collaborate across departments to align development, marketing, policy, and program strategies.
- Support organizational planning efforts by providing external intelligence, stakeholder feedback, and performance insights.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of systems, processes, and tools related to development, communications, and external affairs.
- Ensure ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in all external‑facing activities.