Director – Community Relations & Resource Development

The Director - Community Relations & Resource Development provides strategic leadership in developing partnerships, cultivating community investment, and advancing initiatives that strengthen the Community Action Committee of Pike County's ability to fulfill its mission. This position identifies emerging community needs and regional economic opportunities and translates them into sustainable partnerships, financial resources, and expanded services. Working closely with executive leadership, program directors, community stakeholders, and public and private partners, the Director advances strategic relationships, major regional initiatives, philanthropic and corporate investment, and complex projects that support long-term organizational sustainability and meaningful community impact. Director - Community Relations & Resource Development Essential Functions Functional Area: Strategic Planning & Community Relations Estimated Effort: 25% Develop, recommend, and implement annual and multi-year community relations and resource development strategies aligned with the agency strategic plan and President/CEO-approved priorities Serve as a primary agency liaison for assigned corporate, foundation, employer, economic development, civic, and community partners Represent the agency at approved meetings, events, and community activities Monitor relevant local, state, and federal policy developments, legislative initiatives, public funding mechanisms, and governmental decisions that may affect the agency's strategic interests, community investment opportunities, or populations served Monitor regional economic development initiatives and emerging community needs that may create opportunities to expand or improve agency services Identify opportunities associated with major regional investments, including PORTS development, and help translate those opportunities into sustainable community benefits Coordinate with program directors and executive leadership to identify organizational capabilities, service gaps, and potential partnerships Facilitate collaboration among public agencies, nonprofit organizations, private employers, and community stakeholders to address identified needs Support community engagement activities that incorporate the perspectives of low-income residents and other populations served by the agency Develop an annual strategic work plan identifying priorities, target relationships, timelines, resource requirements, and measurable outcomes Functional Area: Corporate Partnerships & Community Investment Estimated Effort: 20% Identify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and steward corporate partnerships, sponsorships, employee engagement opportunities, in-kind contributions, and community investment commitments within delegated authority Build relationships with major employers, corporate foundations, regional economic development entities, utilities, contractors, and other organizations investing in or serving Southern Ohio Develop partnership concepts and investment packages that connect partner priorities with documented community needs and agency programs Coordinate cross-program proposals and partnership activities with program directors, Fiscal, Compliance, communications, and other appropriate staff Ensure partnership commitments are properly documented, approved, tracked, and fulfilled Elevate proposed agreements, restricted gifts, and resource commitments for required review and authorization Protect agency independence, client interests, confidentiality, and mission alignment in all corporate and community relationships Support the development and implementation of community benefit agreements and related investment arrangements Collaborate with Workforce & Business Development leadership to ensure corporate engagement activities complement existing employer services and workforce partnerships Functional Area: Strategic Initiatives & Major Project Development Estimated Effort: 20% Support the President/CEO in advancing major organizational development initiatives requiring external partnerships, community investment, or coordination among multiple stakeholders Coordinate resource development and external partnership activities associated with strategic capital projects, including the proposed Bailey Square Wellness Campus Identify potential public, private, corporate, and philanthropic funding partners for major organizational initiatives Support development of financing concepts, partnership proposals, and investment strategies in collaboration with executive leadership and Fiscal Facilitate relationships among project stakeholders, including public agencies, private developers, community organizations, and potential funding partners Track and report strategic development milestones, external funding opportunities, partnership commitments, and outstanding decisions associated with assigned initiatives Support initiatives that connect regional economic growth with expanded access to healthcare, childcare, housing, transportation, workforce services, and other essential community resources Identify opportunities for collaborative projects that strengthen community infrastructure and create lasting benefits for residents Coordinate with program leadership to ensure major initiatives are operationally feasible and consistent with organizational capacity Provide timely updates to the President/CEO regarding significant developments, barriers, emerging opportunities, and decisions requiring executive attention Functional Area: Fundraising & Private Resource Development Estimated Effort: 20% Develop, implement, and manage an annual fundraising and private resource development plan, including corporate giving, foundation support, major gifts, sponsorships, special campaigns, and in-kind resources Research and qualify prospective donors and funding partners Maintain a prioritized prospect pipeline with documented next steps, estimated opportunity value, probability, and anticipated decision timelines Prepare or coordinate letters of inquiry, funding proposals, sponsorship requests, presentations, cases for support, and donor investment materials in collaboration with program and Fiscal staff Lead donor cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgement, stewardship, renewal, and recognition activities, ensuring timely and accurate follow-up Coordinate with Program Directors, Fiscal, and current grant development staff to identify private and corporate grant opportunities Avoid duplication of assigned government grant administration or existing grant-management responsibilities Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer and program leadership to assess funding restrictions, indirect and administrative costs, sustainability, match requirements, reporting obligations, and the full cost of proposed commitments Maintain accurate records that distinguish secured funding, executed commitments, pending requests, and prospective opportunities Ensure unapproved or speculative opportunities are not represented as secured revenue Identify opportunities to secure unrestricted or flexible resources that strengthen the agency's long-term organizational capacity Functional Area: Communications, Stewardship & Impact Reporting Estimated Effort: 10% Develop clear corporate-facing and donor-facing materials that communicate the agency's mission, services, community needs, outcomes, and opportunities for investment Coordinate partner recognition, approved announcements, site visits, presentations, and other stewardship activities with the President/CEO and appropriate agency staff Collaborate with program and data staff to collect and communicate measurable outcomes associated with funded initiatives and partnership commitments Prepare quarterly reports for the President/CEO summarizing relationship activity, proposals, funding pipeline, commitments received, stewardship status, risks, and recommended actions Prepare an annual community investment and resource development report documenting contributions, partnerships, use of funds as appropriate, and community impact Maintain accurate donor, prospect, agreement, correspondence, and reporting records in agency-approved systems Functional Area: Administration, Collaboration & Accountability Estimated Effort: 5% Collaborate across agency departments and programs to coordinate community engagement and resource development activities without assuming operational authority over those departments Develop annual work plans, budgets, performance measures, and a calendar of fundraising and partner-engagement activities for President/CEO review and approval Monitor performance against approved goals and recommend adjustments based on results, funding trends, partner feedback, and changing community needs Follow agency policies and applicable requirements concerning gift acceptance, conflicts of interest, privacy, records retention, financial controls, procurement, lobbying, and use of restricted funds Provide timely information and recommendations to the President/CEO Obtain required approval before executing binding agreements, accepting restricted contributions when approval is required, or committing agency resources Perform other related duties as assigned by the President/CEO that are consistent with the scope and level of the position Initial Deliverables & Performance Expectations First 90 Days Develop and present a President/CEO-approved 12-month strategic work plan Complete an organizational assessment of priority resource-development needs and opportunities Develop a stakeholder map and prioritized list of prospective funding and community-investment partners Establish a system for tracking relationships, proposals, funding opportunities, and strategic initiatives Conduct approximately 10-15 substantive stakeholder meetings Identify priority opportunities associated with PORTS, Bailey Square, and other emerging community-development initiatives Establish coordination protocols with Workforce & Business Development and other program leadership By Six Months Maintain a qualified pipeline of approximately 15-20 prospective funding and partnership opportunities Submit or coordinate approximately 5-8 substantive partnership or investment proposals Develop 3-5 program-aligned community-investment concepts Demonstrate measurable progress on designated strategic initiatives Demonstrate consistent and timely completion of monthly development-pipeline updates and quarterly performance reports Identify opportunities for recurring revenue, unrestricted resources, or sustainable program expansion By Twelve Months Establish approximately 5-8 active new corporate, philanthropic, or community-investment partnerships Submit or coordinate approximately 10-15 substantive funding or partnership proposals Develop a qualified resource-development pipeline with a preliminary planning target of $1 million-$2 million, subject to market conditions and organizational priorities Develop and actively pursue an initial planning target of $250,000-$500,000 in new philanthropic or corporate commitments, recognizing that actual results depend on available opportunities, funding cycles, organizational priorities, and timing of major strategic investments Demonstrate substantive progress toward securing investment in one or more major organizational initiatives Document the financial and nonfinancial value generated through partnership development and strategic coordination Present a comprehensive first-year performance assessment and recommendations for the position's continued development and financial sustainability Minimum Requirements Education Bachelor's degree in Business, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Communications, Marketing, Social Sciences, or a related field Equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement Job-Related Experience Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in corporate relations, fundraising, philanthropy, business development, community engagement, nonprofit development, or a related field Demonstrated experience developing partnerships and securing financial or in-kind commitments Demonstrated working knowledge of governmental, political, economic development, and institutional structures in Southern Ohio, particularly Pike County and the surrounding region Knowledge of local, state, and federal governmental decision-making processes, public funding mechanisms, and relationships among elected officials, public agencies, economic development organizations, and private-sector stakeholders that influence community investment and resource allocation Demonstrated ability to establish, maintain, and draw upon productive professional relationships with elected officials, government administrators, business leaders, community organizations, and other institutional stakeholders Strong interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and relationship-management skills Ability to engage effectively across political, organizational, and community boundaries Licenses & Requirements No specific licenses, certifications, or accreditations are required People Management Experience Direct supervisory experience is preferred but not required Must demonstrate the ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence others without direct supervisory authority Preferred Qualifications Established productive professional relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials, government administrators, business leaders, economic development organizations, and other institutional stakeholders in Southern Ohio, particularly Pike County Substantial familiarity with the political landscape, governmental decision-making processes, public funding mechanisms, and institutional relationships affecting Southern Ohio and Appalachian communities Demonstrated ability to navigate governmental and institutional structures effectively while maintaining productive relationships across political and organizational boundaries Experience working with county commissioners, municipal governments, state agencies, legislative offices, congressional offices, private businesses, and community organizations to advance shared initiatives, secure resources, and develop sustainable partnerships Familiarity with major regional economic development initiatives, infrastructure investment, workforce development, and the relationship between economic growth and community well-being Experience translating economic-development opportunities into meaningful benefits for local residents Demonstrated success identifying, cultivating, negotiating, and securing corporate, philanthropic, governmental, or other financial commitments supporting organizational priorities, capital investments, or community-development initiatives Experience coordinating complex, multi-year projects involving multiple organizations, governmental entities, funding sources, and community stakeholders Demonstrated ability to move strategic initiatives from conceptual development toward implementation Established professional reputation for integrity, sound judgment, discretion, collaboration, and effectiveness Demonstrated understanding of the economic and social challenges facing Southern Ohio communities Demonstrated commitment to nonpartisan engagement, ethical public service, community empowerment, and collaborative leadership consistent with the agency's mission, vision, and organizational values Working Conditions Position is based in a well-lighted office environment Requires occasional local and regional travel of up to approximately 30% Travel may include engagement with agency programs, departments, community partners, and regulatory agencies Occasional evening and weekend work or travel may be required Work is fast-paced and self-directed Position involves multiple, sometimes competing priorities Requires management of complex projects, details, relationships, and timelines Work may involve moderate-to-high levels of stress