Managing Director, Development and Communications

Job Title: Managing Director, Development and Communications

Reports to: President & Executive Director

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Hybrid, MA

Salary Range: $85,000–$110,000, inclusive of base salary and potential performance-based bonus

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About Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is a nonprofit advancing equal rights and systemic change for all Massachusetts residents. For more than 30 years, Appleseed has expanded opportunity and access to justice, helping children and families overcome poverty and crisis through vital services, legal protections, and quality education. We mobilize the state’s legal community and a network of pro bono attorneys, advocates, and expert staff to develop bold, community-rooted solutions that create lasting change across the Commonwealth.

Position Summary

The Managing Director of Development and Communications is a senior leader who expands Massachusetts Appleseed’s philanthropic relationships, strengthens external communications, builds strategic partnerships, and advances initiatives supporting its mission and long-term sustainability.

Working with the Executive Director, Director of Advancement and Partnerships, Director of Legal Education and Policy, and Board of Directors, the Managing Director will expand Appleseed’s supporter network, increase philanthropic investment, and strengthen its visibility and impact statewide.

The Managing Director will lead donor and sponsor engagement, cultivate individual and institutional support, oversee the annual Good Apple Awards Reception, and direct external communications to donors, partners, policymakers, and the public.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished nonprofit leader who builds strong relationships, brings fundraising insight, communicates exceptionally well, and demonstrates sound judgment and creativity. They will confidently represent Appleseed with senior leaders and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Development, Fundraising, and Donor Engagement (30%)

Work with the Executive Director and team to meet fundraising goals and broaden philanthropic support.

Build and steward relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, law firms, and other institutional partners, and solicit their support.

Deepen relationships through strategic outreach, meetings, events, personalized engagement, and continued stewardship.

Find opportunities to grow individual giving, corporate contributions, sponsorships, and other philanthropic revenue.

Represent Appleseed in relationships with philanthropic leaders, corporate executives, legal professionals, and community stakeholders.

Assist Board members and the Development Committee with donor cultivation, introductions, solicitations, and follow-up.

Support annual and year-end giving campaigns through donor outreach, engagement, and communications.

Strategic Communications and External Relations (30%)

Direct a communications strategy that strengthens Appleseed’s visibility, reputation, and stakeholder engagement.

Oversee newsletters, annual reports, press releases, website content, social media, fundraising appeals, and organizational publications, including writing and posting content.

Craft compelling messages and stories of impact for donors, partners, policymakers, and the public.

Work with the Executive Director to advance thought leadership, media engagement, speaking opportunities, and strategic visibility.

Align donor communications, sponsorship materials, fundraising campaigns, and stewardship messages with development priorities in collaboration with the team.

Partner with the Director of Legal Education and Policy to explain complex legal and policy issues clearly, highlighting research, legal rights education, advocacy, and impact.

Work with program staff to oversee distribution of research reports, policy briefs, and legal rights education materials.

Maintain consistent, inclusive, accessible communications that reflect racial and social justice values.

Build brand identity, media relationships, and digital engagement, and manage communications consultants and vendors as needed.

Assess communications effectiveness and propose improvements.

Strategic Partnerships and Network Engagement (20%)

Build relationships with community organizations, legal advocates, public interest stakeholders, academic institutions, policymakers, corporate leaders, and other partners.

Strengthen the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Legal Network (MHYLN) by building relationships with legal advocates, service providers, and community partners; coordinating engagement, meetings, and events; and expanding collaboration, participation, and impact for youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

Lead and strengthen the Justice in Action Volunteer Corps (JVAC), managing volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training, engagement, and stewardship. Build relationships with legal professionals and community partners, and expand volunteer participation and impact in support of Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission and programs.

Work with the team to deepen relationships with law firms, corporations, foundations, and philanthropic supporters.

Build partnerships that advance collaboration, visibility, philanthropic investment, and organizational growth.

Represent Appleseed at community gatherings, meetings, conferences, and networking events.

Coordinate with the team on external engagement and communications for coalitions, working groups, legislative hearings, public forums, and policy initiatives.

Support collaborative research, policy advocacy, legal rights education, and community engagement that advance strategic priorities.

Ensure community-informed priorities and lived experiences are reflected in communications and outreach.

Support recognition and engagement of pro bono partners, including law firms and corporate legal departments.

Good Apple Awards and Sponsorships (10%)

Lead and oversee the annual Good Apple Awards Reception, Appleseed’s signature fundraising and donor engagement event alongside Executive Director and event consultant.

Lead sponsorship cultivation and solicitation with event consultant, including identifying prospects, developing opportunities, building relationships, and securing commitments.

Oversee event budgets, timelines, vendors, invitations, registration, program development, communications, and logistics, coordinating staff and consultants as appropriate.

Build relationships with honorees, sponsors, host committee members, and influential supporters to broaden Appleseed’s philanthropic network.

Ensure sponsor recognition and stewardship before, during, and after the event; turn event participation into sustained support.

Evaluate event performance and identify opportunities for additional donor cultivation gatherings and fundraising initiatives.

Leadership and Organizational Development (10%)

Serve as a senior member of the leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, organizational growth, and long-term sustainability.

Collaborate with team to align fundraising, communications, partnerships, and program priorities.

Provide strategic guidance on external relations, donor engagement, communications, and fundraising initiatives.

Support the Board and Development Committee in advancing fundraising and engagement priorities.

Guide staff, consultants, interns, and volunteers supporting communications, events, and development activities.

Advance racial equity and equitable fundraising through inclusive engagement, asset-based messaging, and thoughtful donor education.

Exercise independent judgment, identify opportunities and risks, and lead cross-functional projects as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, communications, external relations, or related fields, including leadership of significant initiatives.

Demonstrated success in donor cultivation, fundraising, corporate sponsorships, institutional partnerships, and philanthropic engagement, including securing financial support and building lasting relationships.

Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with donors, corporate executives, foundation representatives, legal professionals, Board members, and community stakeholders.

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing persuasive fundraising materials, organizational messaging, strategic communications, and public engagement initiatives.

Experience leading major fundraising events, including sponsorship development, donor engagement, event planning, and execution.

Strong strategic thinking, sound judgment, creativity, and project management skills, with excellent attention to detail and follow-through.

Experience working with nonprofit Boards and fundraising committees to advance organizational priorities and philanthropic support.

Familiarity with grant development, foundation relations, and collaborative proposal writing, reporting, and funder stewardship.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively with senior leadership, colleagues, and external partners, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on implementation.

Familiarity with the Massachusetts philanthropic landscape, including foundations, corporate giving programs, and the legal community, or demonstrated ability to build relationships in these sectors.

Proficiency with digital communications, donor engagement, and nonprofit technology platforms, such as Canva, WordPress, Constant Contact, Little Green Light, Qgiv, or similar tools.

Experience in or understanding of social justice, legal advocacy, public policy, education, or other public interest fields.

Commitment to racial equity, economic justice, and the mission of Massachusetts Appleseed.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated annual compensation range is $85,000–$110,000, inclusive of base salary and potential performance-based bonus. Compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and scope of responsibilities. Bonus is subject to established organizational goals and manager discretion.

Health insurance with employer contribution

401(k) retirement plan with employer match

Generous, flexible paid time off policy, with employees encouraged and supported in taking at least four weeks of vacation and personal time annually, in addition to paid holidays

Flexible summer work schedule, including opportunities for shortened workweeks during June, July, and August

Hybrid work arrangement combining team time with flexibility to work remotely

This role may require rare evening and weekend work, particularly for fundraising events and external engagement activities.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and short writing sample (one page maximum), combined into a single PDF document, to jobs@massappleseed.org with the

subject line “Managing Director of Development and Communications Application –

[Your Name].” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the

position is filled.

Massachusetts Appleseed is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.

• Health insurance with employer contribution
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Generous, flexible paid time off policy, with employees encouraged and supported in taking at least four weeks of vacation and personal time annually, in addition to paid holidays
• Flexible summer work schedule, including opportunities for shortened workweeks during June, July, and August
• Hybrid work arrangement combining team time with flexibility to work remotely