Position Summary:
The Director of Communications & Development is a senior leadership role responsible for
shaping the public voice of Close to Home and the broader homelessness response system,
while driving the fundraising strategies that sustain the organization's mission. Reporting to the
President & CEO, this role serves as the organization's lead communications strategist,
spokesperson, and development leader, with direct supervision of a Development Manager and
Communications Coordinator.
The Director leads the development and execution of a comprehensive communications
strategy encompassing media relations, messaging, reputation management, digital presence,
and internal communications, ensuring all efforts are aligned with organizational priorities,
grounded in data, and responsive to the evolving landscape of homelessness. Critically, this role
also leads messaging strategy for the Alliance to House Everyone, aligning diverse partners
around a shared narrative and translating complex system dynamics into clear, compelling
messages that build public understanding and support for housing solutions.
On the development side, the Director oversees strategic fundraising and marketing initiatives
that elevate organizational visibility, grow the donor base, and deepen community
engagement. This includes guiding the Development Manager in executing fundraising
campaigns, grant strategy, and donor stewardship, while ensuring development
communications reflect the same voice and values as broader organizational messaging.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a strong background in nonprofit
communications and fundraising and the ability to lead with both compassion and credibility
across a complex, multi-sector environment.
This job might be for you if you are:
- Passionate about ending homelessness and committed to the mission of Close to Home.
- Strong strategic judgment and systems thinking.
- Experience working in complex, multi‑stakeholder or public‑facing environments.
- Ability to navigate power dynamics with organizations that depend on a central authority
for funding or compliance.
- Comfortable working closely with government leaders and public systems.
- Exceptional communication, relationship‑building, and collaboration skills.
- High emotional maturity, discretion, and professionalism under pressure.
- Experience integrating data, policy, or performance information into communications.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Communications and Marketing
- Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, multi-channel communications
strategy that advances Close to Home's mission, elevates organizational visibility, and
supports the broader homelessness response system.
- Serve as the organization's primary spokesperson and lead media relations contact,
cultivating relationships with local, regional, and statewide press and responding to media
inquiries with accuracy and strategic intent.
- Oversee all organizational branding, messaging, and marketing materials, including digital
content, social media platforms, website, print collateral, e-newsletters, and annual
reports, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with organizational values.
- Lead messaging strategy for the Alliance to House Everyone, collaborating with system
partners to align narratives, strengthen public understanding, and advance coordinated
community solutions to homelessness.
- Develop and manage the communications and marketing budget, ensuring resources are
allocated effectively across campaigns, platforms, and materials.
- Guide the Communications Coordinator in content creation, editorial planning, community
engagement, and day-to-day communications operations.
- Oversee the planning and promotion of organizational events, public awareness
campaigns, and community engagement initiatives in alignment with Close to Home's
strategic priorities.
- Ensure all communications are grounded in data, reflective of lived experience
perspectives, and responsive to the evolving public narrative around housing instability,
poverty, and the social determinants of health.
Development
- Lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive annual development plan,
including individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and special events
fundraising.
- Identify, cultivate, and steward a portfolio of donors and prospects including, individual,
corporate, and foundation funders, building relationships that align philanthropic interests
with organizational priorities.
- Collaborate with the President & CEO to set annual fundraising goals, develop strategies to
meet them, and provide regular progress reports on revenue, pipeline, and campaign
performance.
- Oversee donor record-keeping, gift processing, and acknowledgment practices, ensuring
accuracy, timeliness, and a high-quality donor experience through the organization's CRM.
- Direct the planning and execution of fundraising events and donor engagement
opportunities that deepen community investment in Close to Home's mission.
- Conduct ongoing research on prospective private, corporate, foundation, and government
funders to expand the organization's funding base.
- Participate in grant writing and grant management in collaboration with internal staff,
ensuring funding proposals reflect strong organizational narratives and accurate program
data.
- Guide the Development Manager in executing day-to-day fundraising operations, donor
communications, and stewardship activities.
Leadership & Supervision
- Directly supervise the Development Manager and Communications Coordinator, providing
guidance, oversight, and professional development support.
- Foster a collaborative and accountable communications and development function that
supports organizational effectiveness, alignment, and donor engagement.
- Contribute as a member of the executive leadership team, supporting organizational
planning and cross-functional decision-making through a communications and fundraising
strategy lens.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management,
or a related field required.
- Master's degree or other relevant professional certification preferred.
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in nonprofit communications, development, or a
related field required; seven (7) or more years of combined experience in communications
strategy, fundraising, public affairs, or advocacy preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing media relations, donor communications, and/or
community engagement in a mission-driven environment.
- Experience working within a Continuum of Care, social services, or housing-focused
organization strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, donor management platforms, and digital
communications tools including social media, email marketing, and website content
management systems.
- Solid understanding of nonprofit fundraising principles, grant communications, and donor
stewardship best practices.
- Ability to translate complex systems-level information into clear, compelling narratives for
diverse audiences including donors, media, policymakers, and the general public.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Deadline-driven with the ability to manage multiple priorities and campaigns in a fastpaced,
mission-critical environment.
- Ability to think strategically while maintaining attention to detail across both
communications and development functions.
- Proven ability to lead, supervise, and develop staff with professionalism, clarity, and a
coaching mindset.
Current Full-Time Employee Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: CTH offers competitive health care coverage,
including a $650 monthly employer contribution toward medical, dental, or vision
premiums, and $300 monthly employer contribution toward dependent premiums.
- Disability and Life Insurance: CTH provides voluntary short-term disability insurance and
employer-sponsored life insurance of $20,000, with additional insurance coverage
available as employee-paid options.
- 403(b) Retirement Plan: CTH provides Team Members with a 403(b) Retirement Plan and
an employer contribution match.
- Paid Holidays: CTH currently provides Team Members with 15 paid holidays each year and a winter break,
including a floating holiday during your birthday month!
- Paid Time Off (PTO): Full-time employees immediately accrue PTO upon hire. Accrual rates
increase with years of service, and up to 160 hours can be rolled over yearly.
- Personal and Family Leave: CTH allows up to 12 weeks of personal or family leave in a
rolling 12-month period, including eight weeks of paid leave.
- Flexibility: CTH allows employees to work in-office or from home daily. However, in-person
meetings and on-site presentations are required. General CTH Office Hours of Operation
are Monday through Friday, starting from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., depending on employee
availability and preference.
Vehicle/Licenses:
Must have daily use of a vehicle without prior notice. Must maintain current registration and
automobile liability insurance in compliance with Texas Law that allows personal vehicle use for
work purposes. Mileage reimbursement is provided.
Physical Requirements:
Physical requirements include occasional lifting/carrying of 10 pounds, maneuvering in public
spaces, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination, and manual dexterity
necessary to operate a computer keyboard and essential office equipment. Subject to sitting,
standing, reaching, walking, twisting, and kneeling to perform the essential functions. Working
conditions are primarily inside an office environment or a field environment.
THE CEO/PRESIDENT MUST APPROVE EXCEPTIONS TO THESE CRITERIA
Our Values:
We are Empowering Partners. We meet people where they are, lead with trust, embrace
differences, and elevate strengths.
We are Relentless Learners. We embrace optimism and innovation and dig deep to understand
and solve problems.
We are Resourceful Problem Solvers. We strive to be subject matter experts and recognize
setbacks as opportunities for growth.
We are Systems Leaders. We cultivate collaboration and nurture the health of the whole.
We are All In. We go "all in" to end homelessness while supporting each other and our
community.
Disclaimer: Nothing in the job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign
duties and responsibilities to this job at any time, for any reason.
Close to Home is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all
applicants for all positions regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability
status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
