Job Title: Senior Manager of Strategic Communications & Grants
Department: Marketing & Communications
Supervisor: Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
Work Location: Main office, 1203 Walnut St., 4th Floor
Organizational Overview
The Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) is a tax-exempt nonprofit focused on revitalizing Cincinnati’s urban core, particularly the Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine. Partnering with the City of Cincinnati and the corporate community, 3CDC works to create a vibrant downtown through development, programming, and district management, supported by a team of roughly 185 full-time and 150 part-time staff.
3CDC At-a-Glance:
- 3CDC has contributed to more than $2B in development across Downtown and OTR, including civic spaces, mixed-income housing, and mixed-use projects.
- The organization manages nearly 700K square feet of commercial space, ~200 apartment units, and 5,900+ parking spaces, generating $51M+ annually.
- 3CDC oversees seven civic spaces, hosting nearly 1,600 free events each year.
- 3CDC also manages the Downtown Cincinnati and OTR South Special Improvement Districts, providing clean and safe services, outreach, beautification, and marketing.
At 3CDC, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your contributions make a tangible impact on the community. This role offers meaningful industry experience, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to be part of a team dedicated to strengthening and energizing Cincinnati’s urban core.
Job Summary
The Senior Manager of Strategic Communications & Grants leads 3CDC's grant strategy and organizational storytelling to secure public and philanthropic funding and elevate impact. This position manages the full lifecycle of grants - including research, proposal development, submission, and compliance - while maintaining a strong pipeline and funder relationships.
The Senior Manager shapes clear, compelling narratives that translate complex development and community outcomes for diverse audiences; produces and oversees content across channels partners cross-functionally to capture and communicate impact; and supports executive and board communications to ensure consistent, mission-aligned messaging.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a comprehensive grants strategy aligned with 3CDC’s organizational priorities, including identifying prospective funders across federal, state, local government, and philanthropic sources
- Research funding opportunities relevant to 3CDC’s redevelopment, affordable housing, historic preservation, commercial district management, and community programming work
- Lead end-to-end proposal development, including project conceptualization in partnership with program and finance staff, narrative writing, budget coordination, and submission
- Manage all aspects of grant compliance, including tracking deliverables and deadlines, coordinating reporting across departments, and maintaining funder relationships
- Maintain a grants calendar and pipeline tracking system to ensure timely submissions and reporting
- Cultivate and steward relationships with program officers and funders, representing 3CDC in funder conversations with clarity and credibility
- Serve as 3CDC’s organizational storyteller — developing and maintaining a cohesive narrative framework that articulates the mission, impact, and vision of 3CDC’s work across its full portfolio
- Translate complex financing structures, development activity, and community outcomes into clear, compelling language accessible to diverse audiences
- Write and edit content across communications channels, including website copy, annual reports, impact briefs, presentations, donor materials, press releases, social media, and e-newsletters
- Partner with project teams, leadership, and external consultants to capture and communicate milestones, community impact, and organizational progress
- Support board communications and executive presentations with polished, audience-appropriate materials
- Develop case studies, project profiles, and success narratives that can be adapted across grant applications and public-facing communications
This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor and other management as required.
Qualifications and/or Certifications:
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university in related field preferred.
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in grant writing, communications, or a related role, preferably in real estate development, community development, or public sector contexts
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across a range of formats and audiences — this will be assessed through a writing sample and may include a writing exercise as part of the hiring process
- Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage credibly with funders, community stakeholders, and organizational leadership.
- Ability to synthesize technical, financial, and programmatic information into compelling narratives.
- Highly organized, self-directed, and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Comfortable working and collaborating in a fast-paced environment across departments and disciplines.
Preferred
- Familiarity with community development finance tools, including tax credits (NMTC, LIHTC, Historic Tax Credits),TIF, Opportunity Zones, or public incentives
- Familiarity with Cincinnati, its neighborhoods, and its civic landscape
- Experience managing or contributing to organizational brand and communications strategy
- Demonstrated success securing grants from government and philanthropic sources
- Proven oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines through self-organization and prioritization.
- Must be able to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality.
Physical and Mental Demands:
- Frequently required to sit at a desk/workstation for long periods of time.
- Ability to work at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.
- Digital dexterity and hand/eye coordination in operation of office equipment.
- Able to speak and hear employees on the phone or in person.
- Body motor skills sufficient to enable employee to move around the office environment.
- Additional mental requirements: compare, decide, direct, problem solve, analyze, instruct, and interpret.
- The ability to work well under stress.
Disclaimer:
This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. It is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or work conditions associated with the job. Furthermore, the employer reserves the right to revise or change the job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
