Overview
We are seeking a passionate and dynamic Engagement Director to lead our initiatives in community outreach and program development. This role is pivotal in building, sustaining, and deepening the network of relationships that surround and strengthen Ellipsis from neighbors and civic partners to elected officials, donors, and staff. This role designs experiences that cultivate belonging and understanding of our mission, manages high-impact volunteer and service initiatives, develops staff and community engagement strategies, supports internal culture-building, and amplifies the voice of the CEO across key platforms. The role also leads our legislative advocacy strategy and ensures Ellipsis remains a visible and respected voice in child welfare and youth services policy.
Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships (30%)
● Serve as a key ambassador of the organization to community partners, neighborhood stakeholders, donors, volunteers, and civic organizations.
● Represent the agency at community events, speaking engagements, and coalition meetings.
● Build and manage strategic partnerships with local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, business leaders, school systems, and educational institutions.
● Collaborate with the philanthropy and communications teams to create messaging and campaigns that deepen community understanding and support.
● Plan and lead campus tours for funders, city leaders, neighborhood associations, and stakeholders.
● Co-design volunteer service events and ongoing programs (e.g., donation drives, service career day visits) that build authentic relationships between the public and our programs.
● Establish and grow a mentorship-style volunteer program that connects caring adults or community members with youth or programs in appropriate ways.
● Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising and stewardship events (including golf tournaments, internal organization celebrations, and donor and community awareness events), ensuring alignment with organizational goals, donor engagement strategies, and budget guidelines.
Internal Employee Engagement and Culture Building (30%)
● Partner with the CEO and Philanthropy/Comms to draft internal staff messages and share compelling stories of success, milestones, and mission alignment.
● Create meaningful communication rhythms (e.g., internal newsletters, town halls, shout-outs, and video spotlights) that reflect Ellipsis values.
● Partner with CEO, HR, and program directors to enhance employee engagement and retention through recognition, planning events and celebrations, establishing feedback loops, and mission-driven culture building.
Legislative Advocacy (30%)
● Monitor state and federal policy developments related to child welfare, foster care, behavioral health, and emergency services.
● Develop strong working relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, and policy partners.
● Organize advocacy days, legislative briefings, legislative tours and opportunities for staff and board engagement in public policy in collaboration with the CEO and other leaders.
● Equip staff, youth, and community supporters to elevate their voices through tools like action alerts, storytelling campaigns, and letter-writing efforts.
● Coordinate grassroots efforts for Ellipsis supporters to contact their respective legislators by providing prepared communications.
Additional Duties (10%)
● Strategy
o Participates in the creation of the philanthropic strategic plan and helps achieve the goals outlined in the plan
o Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) for engagement, volunteerism, and advocacy
o Assists in the development of the stewardship plan for the organization and acts in accordance with the plan
● Ethics
o Promotes and upholds the ethical standards for the nonprofit’s philanthropic activities in adherence to the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Code of Ethics and Donor Bill of Rights
Other duties as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
● Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, marketing or related field, or equivalent experience
● At least 2 years communications, marketing, or legislative advocacy experience
● Demonstrated ability to engage diverse audiences and build programming through integrating the voice of persons served in storytelling, advocacy, and service events.
● Prior experience in public speaking, legislative advocacy, or storytelling-based campaigns.
● Proven project management experience, with demonstrated ability to plan, execute, track, and report on project progress
● Critical thinker and problem solver who demonstrates decision-making and time management skills
● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
● Ability to work independently, with minimal oversight, and with high ethical standards
● Able to interact tactfully with youth, family members, visitors, government agency representatives, and the general public
● Basic computer skills, including experience working in Microsoft Windows and Google products
● Clear criminal and child abuse background checks
● Acceptable driving record
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
● 3 or more years of experience in fundraising and volunteer management through a variety of tactics; annual fund experience is particularly helpful
● 3 years or more of database experience (Raiser’s Edge preferred) and basic graphic design (Canva) is helpful
● Demonstrated expertise in event planning and/or volunteer management is helpful
● A marketing background is helpful
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you willing to work some weekends and evenings as needed?
Education:
Experience:
- communications, marketing or legislative: 2 years (Required)
Language:
License/Certification:
- Driver's License and acceptable driving record? (Required)
Shift availability:
Ability to Commute:
- Des Moines, IA 50309 (Required)
Work Location: In person
