Director of Communications and Development

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.