New job Posted 3/19/2021 in Michigan | 2021

Job Description | Posted March 16, 2021

Opportunity
Community Action House (CAH) is looking for a Director of Advancement & Strategic Partnerships. This is a
unique, newly created opportunity to build and deliver a cohesive development, community engagement, and
communications strategy at one of the West Michigan Lakeshore’s premier nonprofit organizations. We are
growing rapidly and need a senior team member with a solid foundation of success as an accomplished and
creative advancement professional. CAH has a well-earned reputation from 51 years of community service,
and a broad network of partners and supporters. We seek your help to best leverage this network in service of
our mission. This is a great opportunity if you are ready to:

• Build and scale innovative partnerships and fundraising programs; and

• Serve on our Leadership Team as a guiding force for the organization, as a thought-partner to the

Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.

About Community Action House
Since our founding in 1969, Community Action House (CAH) has been the focal point of local efforts to provide
critical support and pathways out of poverty for our neighbors in need. Our community-powered work takes a
client-centric approach that meets people wherever they are at and offers services that enhance ownership
and agency. Our work is organized in three interconnected areas: Food Access, Resource Navigation, and
Financial Wellness. Compassion, excellence, and collaboration are core values.

In 2021, we’re completing our largest ever capital campaign (currently we’re 89% complete on this $4.25M
campaign) and will conclude renovations on a new building to house our core operations and conversion to a
‘Food Club’ method of service (learn more at www.hzfoodclub.org). Our leadership team will relocate to this
new facility in fall 2021 along with our Food Club, Guest Services, and Financial Wellness teams. This is an
exciting time in the history of our organization

Budget: $2.5M-$3.5M

Team: 42 staff and 468+ annual volunteers

Position Details

Position: Director, Strategic Partnerships & Advancement | Full time, exempt
[Note: we are open to considering a PT leadership position for the right candidate]

Reporting to: Executive Director
Location: Holland, MI

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345 W 14th St | Holland, MI | 49423

Compensation: We provide a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including
medical, retirement match, and generous PTO

Key Responsibilities
As a key part of our Strategic Leadership Team, this role is responsible for partnerships and relationships to
support our impact, visibility, and financial resources. This includes leadership on all efforts as they relate to
our broader community of support, including development, public relations, and government relations. We are
already on a significant growth trajectory with broad community interest and backing, and it is expected that the
amount raised by Community Action House will continue its path of growth in future years as the Director of
Advancement & Strategic Partnerships systematically strengthens our organization's relationships and overall
fundraising capacity. Responsibilities include:

• Actively work with the Executive Director and senior staff to develop and implement an innovative and

comprehensive partnership strategy to include corporations, churches, individuals, foundations, local
governments, and other community partners

• Develop and execute annual fundraising and communication plans

• Take initiative and actively seek to deepen current donor relationships and to forge new ones

• Lead, develop, and mentor your team (currently a Database & Marketing Manager and Community

Engagement & Events Specialist)

• Conceive of and actively manage core organizational partnership and fundraising campaigns, including

events

• Oversee branding, marketing, and communications efforts

• Actively use research and data to create and execute advancement strategies that position CAH ahead

of major funding changes or trends

• Regularly represent CAH and opportunities to connect with CAH to the broader community

• Monitor and report regularly on the progress of the development program

• Work closely with the board of directors and other development and events committee members,

providing mentorship and guidance to support their active role in advancement

• Lead in cultivating and expanding a culture of philanthropy and community engagement throughout the

organization

• Dynamically participate on the organization’s Leadership Team

Qualifications At least 5-10 years experience in development or business development with demonstrated success in

donor/partner management and strategy and innovative partner/donor engagement efforts. [We are
open to considering candidates from the private or government sectors transitioning to the nonprofit
sector.]

o Excellent presentation and case-making skills – both written and in-person

o Proven ability to build and cultivate strong and long-term relationships with a wide range of
donors and supporters

o Capable of leading with composure, flexibility, and efficiency during crunch times

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345 W 14th St | Holland, MI | 49423

o Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical
fundraising initiatives

o Strong ability to think and work politically, and take a systems-level approach

• High energy and passion for CAH’s mission and programs is essential

• Ability to ‘manage up’ to partner and guide Executive Director’s time and effort in alignment with

fundraising plans and priorities

• Strong organizational and time management skills with an exceptional attention to detail

• Solid understanding of philanthropy best practices and professional grant making
• Passion for nonprofit innovation, specifically as it relates to advancement and development

• Knowledge of and willingness to have a very active presence and engagement in the lakeshore region

and Holland specifically

• Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively

engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside CAH

• Able to handle a variety of constituencies, to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative,

and to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time

• Solid team manager, with track record of building thriving, disciplined, and cohesive teams

• A consummate team player and ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people

• Impeccable integrity, exceptional work ethic, commitment to learning and continuous improvement,

strong self-awareness, and sense of humor

• Experience with CRMs and strong technical acumen with fundraising and grant management systems,

as well as proficiency in MS Office and Google Apps [We currently deploy Neon CRM as our
fundraising database]

Other Factors This position requires reliable transportation to/from various lakeshore meetings and events

• Non-standard hours will occasionally be required for events or meetings
  

Note: This Job Description is a description of the typical duties of this position, and is not intended to be a
comprehensive list of all duties. Job incumbents may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Application
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To apply, submit your resume and a
cover letter at our application portal h ere. Contact [email protected] with questions.

Equal Opportunity Employer
CAH is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual
orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.
We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply.

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345 W 14th St | Holland, MI | 49423