Manager of Development and Communications

Georgia River Network (GRN) seeks a full-time Manager of Development and Communications as part of a team working to protect and restore Georgia’s rivers and streams. The ideal candidate will bring to the position enthusiasm, knowledge and experience in a number of the following areas: major donor fundraising, corporate sponsorship, fundraising appeals, grant prospecting and writing, recruiting and maintaining members, and effective and innovative marketing and communications strategies. The position is located in Athens, Georgia.

About Georgia River Network

Georgia River Network works to ensure a clean water legacy by engaging and empowering Georgians to protect and restore our rivers from the mountains to the coast. Georgia River Network does this by connecting people to rivers and organizations working to protect rivers, helping citizens start new river groups, strengthening and supporting Georgia’s network of 30+ river organizations, and advocating and involving citizens in calling for strong protections for Georgia’s rivers.

GRN’s culture is that of a progressive, small non-profit, currently employing 4 full-time, 1 part-time, and 1 contract staff member, who work hard, maintain a supportive team approach and work closely together to support each other in reaching the organization’s goals. The team also includes the Board of Directors, who work closely with each other and the staff to set and reach the organization’s goals.

GRN is located in Athens, GA, a college town, with a relatively low cost of living, and great quality of life.

For more information about GRN and our programs, visit our website www.garivers.org.

Position Description

The Manager of Development and Communications plays an essential role in building and maintaining relationships that are essential to carrying out our work. This includes bringing new donors, contributors, and members into the GRN family, communications activities that keep our current members and donors up to date and engaged in our work, and the innovative implementation of the GRN Fundraising and Communications Plans.

The principal responsibilities include:

• Major donors: Meet our major donor fundraising goals by developing the strategy and plans for identifying, developing, and coordinating the building of relationships and effective communication to expand the number of, and giving from, major donors and monthly donors.

• Corporate Relations: Meet our corporate fundraising goals by building relationships and effective communication to build corporate support for GRN programs and events.

• Fundraising Appeals: Coordinate four quarterly fundraising appeals as a strategy to meet goals for individual giving.

• Membership: Meet our membership goals by coordinating communications with our current members and attracting new members, and coordinating new member appeals and membership renewals.

• Foundations and Grant Makers: Maintain and enhance GRN’s grants through communication with current grant makers, research for new grant prospects, drafting of grant proposals and letters of intent, and meeting grant and report deadlines.

• Fundraising Culture: Train, coordinate, and mentor our staff, board, and volunteers to inspire our fundraising culture.

• Marketing, Communications and Public Relations: Inspire involvement and long term commitment in Georgia River Network by creating the strategy and implementation plans for communications, marketing and public relations activities that will attract new people and keep those currently involved engaged in efforts to protect GA’s rivers. This will involve implementation of GRN’s communication plan which includes website, social media, newsletters, e-communications, annual reports, etc.

• Project Management: Sets and meets goals, deadlines and budgets across a portfolio of projects.

• Assist with other GRN programs, projects, and events as needed, including Paddle Georgia and Annual Conference.

Qualifications

• Enthusiasm and passion for protecting and restoring Georgia’s rivers

• Expertise, experience, and skills matching many of the job responsibilities and proficiencies listed above

• Ability to work independently and cooperatively with others

• Strong relationship building capability

• Ability to create new programs and projects and review the impact of existing ones

• Results and impact-oriented

• Excellent organization and time management skills

• Superior verbal and written communication skills

• Orientation towards service

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, Outlook, and Power Point

• Valid driver’s license, and ability and willingness to travel extensively around Georgia, providing for your own transportation. Travel expenses are reimbursed

• Ability and willingness to regularly work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends when necessary. Job Type: Full time (40 hours/week).

• A bachelor or graduate degree

• Two or more years of on-the-job experience preferred

Compensation

Georgia River Network offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, in the range of $40,000-$50,000 per year, a generous vacation policy and medical insurance. We are also a flex-time and casual attire environment and support a sustainable work environment, meaning that attention is paid to balancing work with other aspects of life.