Director of Development & Communications

Director of Development and Communications Role Description

L’Arche Greater Washington, DC (GWDC) provides housing and support services to adults with intellectual disabilities in a community life of mutual transformation and joy! L’Arche GWDC serves hundreds of people in the wider community, of many different backgrounds, by offering a place of belonging and growth. The Director of Development and Communications will lead the community’s efforts to elevate support for the mission of L’Arche. Through relational fundraising, innovative thinking, and strategic direction, this leader is a key steward of the relationships and resources that enable L’Arche GWDC to thrive.

Supervised by: Executive Director | Community Leader

Qualifications:

• Experience and a genuine desire to work with people with disabilities, and with the people and systems that support them
• Ability to communicate the mission of L’Arche with passion, integrity, and clarity
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a donor-centered, relationship-driven fundraising environment
• Optimistic, proactive, and attentive to detail
• Management of staff and activities engaged with big-picture strategy and day-to-day execution
• Motivated by building new relationships and meeting strategic fundraising goals
• Strong time management and prioritization skills, with the ability to work independently as a self-starter and idea generator
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with Customer Relationship Management systems, or the ability and willingness to lear L’Arche’s use of eTapestry quickly
• Bachelor’s degree required, further education preferred.
• 5–7 years of progressive responsibilities in fundraising experience, including experience across multiple facets of development
• Competence to supervise the Development Team

Responsibilities:

Development Strategy and Planning

• Lead and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies, including major gifts, planned giving, grants, events, and donor pipeline development
• Set annual development and communications priorities and goals in partnership with the Executive Director
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director on all fundraising activities

Donor Relations

• Cultivate, steward, and solicit mid- and major-level donor relationships with a focus on long-term engagement
• Lead prospecting and relationship-building efforts to grow and sustain the donor pipeline

Communications and Outreach

• Provide strategic oversight of communications to ensure alignment with L’Arche’s mission, values, and fundraising goals
• Ensure donor-facing communications are inclusive and mission-driven and support engagement, stewardship, and giving
• Supervise outreach activities to support annual goals and needs of the community

Leadership and Management

• Provide leadership and supervision for the Development Team, fostering a collaborative, mission-centered culture
• Oversee grants management, including supervision of the grants consultant and grants volunteer

Events, Reporting, and Board Partnership

• Oversee planning and execution of special events, including the annual Heart of L’Arche Fundraiser
• Prepare and present fundraising reports to the Executive Director, Board Development Impact Committee, and Board of Directors
• Partner with board leadership to strengthen board engagement in fundraising

Other duties as assigned, based on needs, skillset, and interests.

Salary & Benefits:

• Meaningful, mission-based, and community-focused work
• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, 5% matching 401k contributions after 1 year
• Professional Development Opportunities, including retreats
• Flexible schedule: 50% virtual, 50% in person, with some evenings and weekends
• Salary based on experience and internal equity; range of $70,000-$90,000 annually