Director of Development Communications

Director of Development Communications

Organization: The HEADstrong Foundation

Location:

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer / Chief Development Officer

Department: Development & External Affairs

Position Summary

The Director of Development Communications is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the Foundation’s integrated fundraising communications strategy. This position sits at the intersection of development, storytelling, donor engagement, and brand, ensuring that every message—whether to major donors, corporate partners, fundraisers or event attendees—drives revenue, deepens relationships, and advances HEADstrong’s mission to support families impacted by cancer.

This leader will oversee donor-facing communications, campaign messaging, and development marketing efforts while working closely with executive leadership, staff, board members, and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

Development & Fundraising Communications

• Lead all donor-centric communications in support of annual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, events, peer-to-peer fundraising and capital campaigns

• Develop compelling fundraising narratives, case statements, and impact messaging tailored to different donor segments

• Partner with the team to support solicitation efforts through decks, proposals, stewardship materials, and follow-ups

• Ensure consistent messaging across all fundraising touchpoints (email, print, digital, events, proposals)

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Oversee donor stewardship communications including impact reports, thank-you campaigns, and recognition strategies

• Create personalized communication frameworks for major donors, foundations, and corporate partners

• Collaborate with leadership on donor journeys that increase retention, upgrades, and long-term loyalty

Brand, Storytelling & Content Strategy

• Serve as brand steward for all external communications related to development and fundraising

• Capture and elevate patient, family, and community stories in a respectful, mission-aligned way

• Guide content strategy across email, website, social media, event materials, and video as it relates to fundraising outcomes

Events & Campaign Support

• Lead communications strategy for major fundraising events, galas, and signature campaigns

• Develop messaging, timelines, and collateral that drive attendance, sponsorships, and donations

• Support on-site donor experience and post-event stewardship initiatives

Leadership & Collaboration

• Manage and mentor communications and/or development marketing staff and vendors

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Programs, Finance, and Executive Leadership

• Support board members and ambassadors with talking points, messaging, and outreach materials

Analytics & Optimization

• Track performance of fundraising communications and donor engagement metrics

• Use data and insights to refine messaging, segmentation, and campaign strategies

• Continuously improve ROI of communications efforts tied to revenue growth

Qualifications & Experience

• 7–10+ years of experience in nonprofit development communications, fundraising marketing, or related roles

• Proven success supporting or leading fundraising campaigns, major gift initiatives, and donor stewardship programs

• Strong storytelling skills with the ability to translate mission impact into compelling donor narratives

• Experience working closely with executive leadership, boards, and high-net-worth donors

• Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills

• Familiarity with CRM systems (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, or similar) and email marketing platforms

• Passion for mission-driven work and sensitivity when working with cancer-impacted families

Preferred Attributes

• Experience in healthcare, cancer-related, or family-support nonprofits
• Background in capital campaigns or multi-million-dollar fundraising environments
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on execution mindset

• High emotional intelligence and relationship-oriented leadership style

Why HEADstrong

The HEADstrong Foundation was established in 2006 by founder, Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori, who succumbed to non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, after a relentless 14-month battle with the disease. Inspired through his own experience and constructed on the simplicity of identifying everyday things taken for granted while discovering ways of improving the quality of life for patients and families, HEADstrong Foundation’s agenda was clearly defined. His final wishes were that others would benefit from the life that he lived.

HEADstrong is a volunteer organization and depends greatly on the generosity of contributions, corporate sponsorship, partners in the fight, private foundations, individual donors and the lacrosse community.

Health and dental insurance

PTO

STD, LTD, Life

493b plan