Development and Communications Associate

Development and Communications Associate

Location: Jersey City, NJ (Hybrid)

About NJCIC

The New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children (NJCIC) is a state-wide legal services and policy advocacy organization dedicated to empowering young immigrants, many of whom are unaccompanied children. Across NJCIC’s programs, spanning lawyering, advocacy, capacity-building, and two-way community engagement, we meet young immigrants where they are, in their mother tongue, and with deep regard for their lived experience in its totality. We address the highly intersectional challenges they face in pursuit of a just and equitable New Jersey, where young immigrants can flourish and lead full, fearless lives.

Position Overview

NJCIC is seeking a detail-oriented, creative, and highly organized Development and Communications Associate. Reporting to the Development Director, this individual will collaborate with the development, finance, and program teams to research and manage grants, support proposal development and reporting, strengthen donor relationships, and coordinate communications, social media, and marketing initiatives that elevate NJCIC’s mission, highlight its impact, engage diverse audiences, and build awareness and support for the organization.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer and communicator who can balance multiple projects, manage deadlines, and translate complex information into clear, compelling messages that inspire engagement and support.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Development Director, you will support and own the responsibilities below. Please note this job description is not exhaustive, and responsibilities may evolve as NJCIC grows; the Associate will take on additional duties and projects as assigned by the Executive Director and Development Director to meet the organization’s changing needs and priorities.

Grant Research, Writing, and Management

• Research foundation, corporate, government, and other funding opportunities aligned with NJCIC’s mission and strategic priorities, including funding trends and opportunities to diversify revenue.
• Assist with writing, editing, and submitting grant proposals, letters of inquiry, applications, and funder reports in collaboration with program and finance teams to gather program information, budgets, and financial data.
• Track deadlines, submission requirements, reporting schedules, deliverables, and compliance obligations to ensure timely, accurate submissions.

Donor Stewardship and Fundraising Communications

• Develop personalized donor stewardship communications, including thank-you messages, acknowledgments, impact updates, appeals, and other correspondence that strengthen relationships and encourage continued engagement.
• Assist with fundraising appeals, campaign materials, and donor-facing communications that highlight NJCIC’s programs, accomplishments, and impact and maintain consistent supporter engagement throughout the year.

Communications, Marketing, and Social Media

• Develop and manage an annual social media calendar aligned with programs, campaigns, events, and fundraising priorities; create, edit, and schedule engaging content across relevant platforms.
• Coordinate email communications, website content, promotional materials, and other marketing materials, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with NJCIC’s mission, voice, and values.
• Monitor social media engagement and communications metrics to inform outreach strategies, increase organizational visibility, and strengthen audience engagement.
• Assist with writing and designing NJCIC’s annual report in collaboration with internal teams; provide communications and marketing support for organizational initiatives and projects as needed.

Events and Fundraising Initiatives

• Assist with planning, coordinating, promoting, and executing fundraising events, including the annual Immigrant Children & Youth Walk and End-of-Year Digital Campaign.
• Coordinate event communications, marketing materials, registration outreach, sponsor recognition, donor engagement, and follow-up in collaboration with staff, sponsors, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Develop event-related fundraising materials that encourage participation, increase visibility, and support fundraising goals; coordinate post-event stewardship, including thank-you messages, impact updates, and recognition of donors, sponsors, participants, and volunteers.

Administrative and Organizational Support

• Maintain organized files, calendars, contact lists, and project trackers for grants, fundraising, communications, and events.
• Collaborate across departments to gather information, coordinate deliverables, and ensure consistent organizational messaging.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail, providing additional development, communications, marketing, and fundraising support as organizational needs arise.

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills

We know great candidates come from many paths. Below are the strengths this work draws on, and we are happy to support a successful candidate in growing into the rest. If you are drawn to our mission, please apply. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, LGBTQIA+ people, and those with experience in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, nonprofit management, English, public relations, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to develop clear, compelling content for a variety of audiences and purposes.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, and consistently meet deadlines under pressure.
• Experience developing social media content and familiarity with social media platforms and digital communications tools, including Canva, Squarespace, and Content Studio.
• Experience with and/or eagerness to learn nonprofit fundraising, grant research and writing, donor relations and stewardship, and supporting fundraising events, campaigns, and annual reports.
• Ability to communicate professionally with donors, funders, community partners, volunteers, and other stakeholders in written and oral communications.
• A proactive, flexible, and solutions-oriented approach to work.
• A deep, genuine commitment to NJCIC's mission to advance immigrant children’s rights in New Jersey.

Compensation, Benefits, & NJCIC’s Commitment to Staff

We believe sustainable work means room for a full life. Our offerings are built to give you that: competitive pay, excellent benefits and flexibility. We can only achieve our mission if our team is thriving.

Compensation and retirement

• Salary: $55,000 - $60,000 (based on experience)
• 401(k) match: up to 8% of your salary. We contribute 3% when you put in your first 1%, then match dollar for dollar up to your next 5%.

Health and wellness

-Covered by us

• 80% of premiums for medical, dental, and vision for you, your spouse or eligible partner, and eligible dependents with a broad range of top-tier medical plans (high to low deductible) so you can choose what works for you and your loved ones. Plans include coverage for mental health and behavioral health needs.

-Voluntary tax-advantage plans

• Commuter transit and parking, Health Care FSA, HSA, Dependent Care FSA, and Limited Purpose FSA
• Additional benefits offered at group rates
• Life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability, accident insurance, critical illness, legal coverage, pet wellness, and identity protection
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Secure, confidential access to a licensed and certified counselor 24/7 with up to 6 free counseling sessions per qualified issue each year
• Prescription discount program
• Free user-friendly platform designed to help you save on prescription medications.

Time off

• 20 paid vacation days annually, increasing by 1 day each year of service, up to 30 days
• 12 paid sick days annually
• Closure on all federal holidays, including Indigenous People’s Day and Veterans’ Day, as well as the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve
• Organization-wide closure between Christmas and New Years
• 12 weeks of supplemental payments for parental leave after one year and 1,000 hours of continuous employment

Flexibility

• Hybrid schedule – 2 days per week in the office (currently Tuesday and Thursday, subject to change based on organizational needs), with remaining days remote.
• Occasional additional in-person or office work, travel, and evening hours are sometimes required on non-office days, as job demands arise.
• Surprise early dismissals sprinkled throughout the year to prioritize wellness
• Work schedule flexibility based on job responsibilities and employee preference

Workplace

• Amenity-filled co-working space with complimentary goodies and Thursday breakfast

Inside access

• Visibility into a dedicated community of frontline leaders, legal experts, and advocates, alongside the latest insights on policy, practice, and developments impacting vulnerable youth.

Inclusive and supportive culture

• A collaborative, mission-driven team where team members show up for one another and our community

These benefits reflect NJCIC's current offerings and are subject to change. NJCIC reserves the right to modify, replace, or discontinue benefits, subject to applicable law.

Join us

Applications should be submitted via Idealist. Please attach a resume, cover letter, and three professional references. We deeply value lived experience alongside professional expertise and invite you to share in your cover letter how both shape your interest in this role. Every applicant will receive an email confirming receipt of their application. While we read every application with great care, depending on volume, we may only able to reach out to candidates advancing to the interview process. Thank you so much for your time and interest in supporting our mission.

Compensation and retirement

• Salary: $55,000 - $60,000 (based on experience)
• 401(k) match: up to 8% of your salary. We contribute 3% when you put in your first 1%, then match dollar for dollar up to your next 5%.

Health and wellness

-Covered by us

• 80% of premiums for medical, dental, and vision for you, your spouse or eligible partner, and eligible dependents with a broad range of top-tier medical plans (high to low deductible) so you can choose what works for you and your loved ones. Plans include coverage for mental health and behavioral health needs.

-Voluntary tax-advantage plans

• Commuter transit and parking, Health Care FSA, HSA, Dependent Care FSA, and Limited Purpose FSA

-Additional benefits offered at group rates

• Life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability, accident insurance, critical illness, legal coverage, pet wellness, and identity protection
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Secure, confidential access to a licensed and certified counselor 24/7 with up to 6 free counseling sessions per qualified issue each year

-Prescription discount program

• Free user-friendly platform designed to help you save on prescription medications.

Time off

• 20 paid vacation days annually, increasing by 1 day each year of service, up to 30 days
• 12 paid sick days annually
• Closure on all federal holidays, including Indigenous People’s Day and Veterans’ Day, as well as the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve
• Organization-wide closure between Christmas and New Years
• 12 weeks of supplemental payments for parental leave after one year and 1,000 hours of continuous employment

Flexibility

• Hybrid schedule – 2 days per week in the office (currently Tuesday and Thursday, subject to change based on organizational needs), with remaining days remote.
• Occasional additional in-person or office work, travel, and evening hours are sometimes required on non-office days, as job demands arise.
• Surprise early dismissals sprinkled throughout the year to prioritize wellness
• Work schedule flexibility based on job responsibilities and employee preference

Workplace

• Amenity-filled co-working space with complimentary goodies and Thursday breakfast

Inside access

• Visibility into a dedicated community of frontline leaders, legal experts, and advocates, alongside the latest insights on policy, practice, and developments impacting vulnerable youth.

Inclusive and supportive culture

• A collaborative, mission-driven team where team members show up for one another and our community

These benefits reflect NJCIC's current offerings and are subject to change. NJCIC reserves the right to modify, replace, or discontinue benefits, subject to applicable law.