Communications and Development Lead

About the Philadelphia Bar Foundation

For more than 60 years, the Philadelphia Bar Foundation has been dedicated to strengthening the city’s legal aid ecosystem and advancing access to justice for all. Through grants, partnerships, and special initiatives, we support organizations and advocates working to ensure that every Philadelphian—regardless of income or background—can access fair and equal justice.

Summary

The Communications and Development Lead works in partnership with the Executive Director and the Director of Development and Communications to advance the mission and strategic goals of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.

This position works independently and takes a lead role in all aspects of communications and development for the Foundation, including donor relations, fundraising activities, marketing, advertising, public relations, media relations, print collateral, e-mail marketing, solicitation materials, promotions, event planning, web content, social media, digital assets, data stewardship, and brand reputation. This position reports to the Director of Development and Communications and is required to work independently and regularly exercise discretion and judgment on mission-critical communications and fundraising efforts.

The role also provides proactive support for the Director of Development and Communications, consultants, Board members, and volunteer interns; manages organizational data in Salesforce; updates website content; maintains editorial calendars; and manages multiple social media platforms.

Essential Functions:

Communications and Marketing

• • Develop and implement strategic communication plans that highlight programs, partnerships, and impact while engaging diverse audiences.
  • Maintain the Foundation’s digital presence, ensuring timely updates, cohesive messaging, and consistent branding.
  • Independently craft and share compelling content across platforms, including press releases, newsletters, website updates, and social media.
  • Manage email marketing campaigns, digital promotions, and media outreach to strengthen visibility and engagement.
  • Monitor and analyze communications performance metrics to inform and refine strategies and make communications and marketing strategy recommendations to the Director of Development and Communications.

Development and Donor Engagement

• • Advance and execute donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts through independent targeted outreach, acknowledgments, and data tracking.
  • Take a lead role in creating and producing development materials, including solicitation letters, proposals, and event sponsorship packets, including creative design.
  • Independently manage donor and prospect data in Salesforce CRM to ensure accuracy and integrity.
  • Provide logistical and communications support for fundraising campaigns and donor events.

Program and Event Coordination

• • Participate in the planning, promotion, and execution of Bar Foundation programs and events, including independent creative content design for ads, signage, program book, and templates.
  • Manage event logistics, including scheduling, vendor relations, volunteer management, and on-site operations.
  • Independently prepare materials and communications for board meetings, press events, and public gatherings.
  • Independently manage systems for tracking program outcomes and partner engagement.

Additional job duties

• • This position may be required to perform additional job duties and responsibilities as requested from time-to-time to further the mission of the Bar Foundation and ensure efficiency and continuity in operations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to grasp and interpret legal concepts and issues related to equal access to justice.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong proficiency with donor databases (Salesforce preferred) and digital marketing platforms (Constant Contact, Canva, Hootsuite, Google Analytics).
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound discretion and independent judgment with minimal oversight.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and Drupal CMS preferred.
• Experience with content calendars and social media marketing
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, generate reports, and translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Flexible, collaborative, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Able to positively represent the Foundation in the community.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Nonprofit Management, or related field preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Preferred 2 years’ experience in nonprofit fundraising, development operations, and/or marketing or communications.
• Relevant marketing, development, or sales experience preferred.
• Commitment to advancing access to justice and supporting the mission of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.

The compensation for the position is $46,000-$50,000, including full benefits. Submit your resume and cover letter to: careers@philabarfoundation.org

Diversity Statement: At the Philadelphia Bar Foundation / Philadelphia Equal Justice Center, we believe that individually we make a statement, but collectively we make an impact. Diversity and inclusion powers that impact. We strive to create a sense of belonging by embracing our differences. We are an organization where everyone is valued, heard, and appreciated. The Philadelphia Bar Foundation encourages applicants from historically marginalized populations to consider our team as your next opportunity for change. We are committed to equal opportunity in all aspects of employment regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender identity or gender expression, veteran or military status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law.

Medical insurance, paid time off, employer paid pension plan