Senior Fund Development & Communications Officer

Senior Fund Development & Communications Officer

The Hill Community Development Corporation (Hill CDC) is seeking an experienced Senior Fund Development & Communications Officer to lead fundraising, grant writing, and strategic communications for one of Pittsburgh’s most impactful community development organizations. This role blends nonprofit development, strategic communications, and hands-on execution, ideal for a candidate with deep experience in grant writing, donor relations, and revenue generation.

The Senior Fund Development & Communications Officer will drive fundraising strategy, foundation and corporate partnerships, and capital campaigns, while also independently producing high-quality grant proposals, reports, and donor communications. This role plays a central part in shaping the organization’s narrative, visibility, and positioning, translating complex real estate, cultural, and community development work into compelling cases for investment.

This is an opportunity for a results-oriented professional skilled in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, and communications strategy, who can operate at both a strategic and execution level in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Candidates with experience in community development, economic development, urban planning, or real estate development are strongly encouraged to apply.

Operations and Financial

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive revenue strategy that integrates fundraising, partnerships, sponsorships, and earned income opportunities

• Lead in executing long-term fundraising strategy including all potential revenue streams (grant writing, campaigns, corporate and individual donations, events), ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and brand positioning

• This includes direct responsibility for drafting, editing, and submitting grant proposals, reports, and donor communications

• Communicate and coordinate with key contacts at existing and potential funding sources to supply needed documentation according to established parameters for reporting and deadlines for grants

• Coordinate internal resources to obtain information and synthesize it quickly into clear, compelling cases for support, grant reports, and proposals under tight deadlines

• Lead efforts to maintain current and develop new foundation, corporate, government, and organizational donor relationships locally and nationally

• Perform research and audience analysis, preparing and sending asks and thank you letters, handling follow-up communication, preparing reports, etc.

• Implement necessary technical solutions to promote, manage, and maximize fund development potential for the organization locally and nationally

• Independently research, write, and submit high-quality grant proposals, reports, and close-out documentation in a timely and consistent manner

• Administer existing grants including those from public, private, and corporate sources, maintaining full ownership of compliance, reporting timelines, and documentation accuracy

• Lead in creating an entrepreneurial and philanthropic culture with the staff and Board of Directors

• Develop and lead fundraising efforts on key organizational projects which are diverse in nature ranging from art, culture (ie New Granada Theater), entrepreneurship, and community development

• Translate complex real estate and land use development projects into compelling investment narratives that resonate with philanthropic, corporate, and public-sector audiences

• Ability to facilitate and support capital campaigns and the various related relational and administrative duties, including campaign messaging and donor experience strategy

• Must possess solid analytical and financial skills to facilitate the completion of complex budgets and strategies including reading and understanding local, state, and federal government grants and contracts

• Utilize data-driven insights to inform targeting, segmentation, and performance optimization across fundraising efforts

• Support the development and maintenance of an effective donor management system

• Maintain various databases to assure high-level accuracy and expeditious access to data

• Ability to connect the dots on funding-related duties and efforts with internal team members, operating as a coach in some cases

• Promptly escalate urgent matters to the President & CEO for action and resolution

• Perform other duties as assigned

Marketing & Brand Strategy

• Lead the development and stewardship of the Hill CDC brand across all external platforms, ensuring consistency, clarity, and impact

• Develop and execute integrated marketing and communications campaigns that support fundraising initiatives, program visibility, and organizational growth

• Identify and position the Hill CDC’s work within local, regional, and national narratives to attract investment and partnership opportunities

• Oversee content strategy including storytelling, digital presence, thought leadership, and public-facing materials

• Collaborate with leadership to elevate the organization’s voice and thought leadership in equitable development

• Ensure alignment between communications, development, and programmatic priorities to maximize visibility and engagement

• Ensure that all branding and marketing efforts directly support fund development outcomes, including proposal development, donor engagement, and campaign performance

Strategic Communications and Events

• Lead strategic partnerships, campaigns, and initiatives that elevate the Hill CDC’s profile and position the organization as a national model for equitable development

• Lead in the creation and management of fundraising events, including capital campaign-related events

• Lead in the creation of strategic communication materials that aid in fund development efforts

• Produce and oversee high-quality written content, ensuring clarity, precision, and alignment with funding requirements and organizational voice

• Ensure all materials reflect a cohesive brand voice and are designed to convert awareness into investment and long-term engagement

• Work with internal and external team members to position the Hill CDC and its work for maximum investment and engagement

• Develop positioning strategies that differentiate the Hill CDC in competitive funding and partnership environments

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in applicable field. Masters degree a plus. Candidates with commensurate experience and proven results will be considered

• Demonstrated ability to integrate fundraising, marketing, and communications into a unified strategy

• Exceptional writing ability with a proven track record of independently producing successful grant proposals and donor-facing materials

• Superior written and verbal communication skills are essential

• Proven discernment in knowing who to include in critical asks with key foundation, corporate, and political audiences

• Experience engaging high-level stakeholders across philanthropic, corporate, civic, and political sectors

• Results-oriented, highly organized, efficient, and self-reliant

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines and produce high-volume, high-quality work in a fast-paced environment

• 3–5 years experience with fundraising software and database management

• Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Salesforce for donor management

• Experience leveraging digital platforms and marketing tools to drive engagement and donor conversion preferred

• Excellent attention to detail

• Coachable; demonstrates use of lessons learned

• Ability to multi-task and work in fast-paced environments

• Highly responsive

• Positive, professional, and amicable demeanor

• Strong problem-solving skills and good judgment

• Ability to work well independently and with other team members

• Ability to interact with diverse groups of people such as community residents, elected officials, business executives, foundation representatives, etc.

• Willingness to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution; no task is too small when advancing the mission

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable campaigns and measurable outcomes

Work Environment

• Non-Smoking Work Environment

• Business Casual / Professional Dress

• Valid PA Driver’s License and Personal Transportation Needed

Pay and Benefits

• Salary range $70K – $85K (Negotiable based on proven experience)

• Paid bi-weekly

• Insurance for Medical, Vision, Dental (80% Employer Funded)