Communications & Development Director

About Heartland Workers Center Heartland Workers Center (HWC) is a community-based organization dedicated to developing and organizing leaders, promoting workers' rights, and fostering civic engagement that builds power and creates change with immigrant and underrepresented communities. Through leadership development, worker justice, immigration support, and civic participation, HWC works alongside families and community members to strengthen voice, expand opportunity, and advance dignity and justice. Our work is grounded in deep relationships, grassroots leadership, and the belief that those closest to the challenges are closest to the solutions. Position Summary Heartland Workers Center seeks a strategic, relational, and mission-driven Communications & Development Director to help grow the visibility, relationships, and resources that sustain our work. This leadership role is responsible for designing and implementing integrated communications and fundraising strategies that amplify HWC's mission, deepen community and donor engagement, and strengthen the organization's long-term sustainability. The Communications & Development Director will lead storytelling, donor cultivation, annual campaigns, brand alignment, and external communications in ways that reflect our values and honor the communities we serve. The ideal candidate is both a strategic thinker and hands-on builder, someone who can craft compelling narratives, build authentic relationships, manage systems, and translate impact into meaningful support. Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Communications Lead and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that advances HWC's mission, campaigns, and organizational priorities. Ensure consistent, compelling, and values-aligned messaging across all public-facing platforms, including email, social media, website, print materials, and events. Develop and manage a communications calendar that supports fundraising, advocacy, programs, and organizational storytelling. Create content that highlights HWC's impact in leadership development, workers' rights, immigrant justice, and civic engagement. Support the Executive Director and leadership team with talking points, public statements, presentations, and media materials as needed. Strengthen HWC's brand presence and public narrative in ways that are community-centered, culturally responsive, and grounded in dignity. Development & Fundraising Lead and manage annual fundraising strategy in partnership with the Executive Director, including individual giving, major donor engagement, campaigns, sponsorships, and donor stewardship. Develop and execute donor communications such as appeals, stewardship messages, impact updates, newsletters, and annual giving campaigns. Build and steward relationships with individual donors, institutional partners, sponsors, and community supporters. Support donor cultivation and solicitation strategies, including donor meetings, follow-up, and relationship tracking. Partner with leadership to identify opportunities for growth in contributed revenue and donor retention. Coordinate with staff to gather stories, data, and program outcomes that support fundraising and donor engagement. Grants & Institutional Support Support grant development and reporting processes by coordinating narratives, collecting program information, and collaborating across teams. Help ensure grant and funder communications reflect HWC's impact, values, and strategic priorities. Assist in maintaining deadlines, materials, and systems related to institutional giving. Events & Community Engagement Lead communications and development support for special events, fundraising gatherings, graduation celebrations, donor engagement opportunities, and community-facing moments. Develop promotional materials, sponsorship outreach content, and post-event stewardship communications. Help translate organizational milestones into opportunities for deeper relationship-building and resource development. Board & Leadership Partnership Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to strengthen fundraising participation and donor engagement. Prepare development and communications updates, dashboards, and materials for board and leadership meetings. Support board members and organizational leaders with fundraising messaging and relationship-building tools. Systems & Infrastructure Oversee and strengthen systems for donor tracking, campaign planning, gift acknowledgment, communications workflows, and audience engagement. Maintain and improve CRM/database processes, donor pipelines, and communications tools. Track key performance indicators for fundraising and communications, and use data to improve strategy and outcomes. Manage external vendors, consultants, or staff supporting communications, design, development, or events as applicable. Qualifications We know that strong candidates may not meet every qualification listed. If you believe you can contribute to this role and to HWC's mission, we encourage you to apply. Required Minimum 5 years of experience in nonprofit communications, development, fundraising, marketing, public relations, or a related field. Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor engagement, and stewardship, especially with individual donors and annual campaigns. Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively across diverse audiences. Experience managing communications across multiple platforms, including email, social media, web, and print. Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build authentic relationships with donors, partners, staff, and community members. Experience with CRM or donor database systems and basic fundraising/communications analytics. Commitment to racial, economic, and immigrant justice, and alignment with HWC's mission and values. Preferred Experience in a community-based, advocacy, organizing, or movement-building organization. Familiarity with grant coordination, grant writing support, or institutional funder communications. Bilingual or multilingual skills, especially English/Spanish, strongly preferred. Experience working with immigrant communities, workers' rights initiatives, civic engagement efforts, or leadership development programs. Knowledge of ethical, trauma-informed, and consent-based storytelling practices. Core Competencies Strategic and systems thinking Relationship-centered fundraising Compelling storytelling and message development Equity-centered leadership Collaboration and cross-functional partnership Strong judgment and discretion Adaptability and initiative Commitment to community-rooted work

Compensation & Benefits Benefits:

Health, dental, and vision insurance Paid holidays and generous PTO Professional development support Retirement benefits How to Apply Applications can be submitted to rachel@heartlandworkerscenter.

org Please include:

Resume Cover letter

Optional:

writing sample, campaign sample, or portfolio Equal Opportunity Statement Heartland Workers Center is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, bilingual candidates, working-class leaders, and individuals with deep roots in the communities we serve. We believe our strength comes from the lived experiences, leadership, and perspectives of the communities most impacted by injustice, and we are committed to building a team that reflects those values. At Heartland Workers Center, we believe meaningful change is built through deep relationships, organized people, and courageous leadership. If you are excited to help grow the stories, support, and partnerships that make that work possible, we encourage you to apply.

Pay:

$85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person