Full Time, Location Flexible

If advocating for girls and building relationships with community partners to fund new and creative revenue-driving partnerships with Girl Scouts sounds exciting, this may be the role for you! Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa’s growing philanthropy team welcomes the newly created role of Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy (DCEA), built for a motivated contributor with strong relationship-building skills and a niche for networking. You’ll also want to have a drive to obtain foundation, grant, and United Way funding in communities across Iowa. Have a passion for making legislative changes? Help elevate the council’s advocacy efforts and manage rapport with local and state representatives to help identify funding opportunities from the Iowa state budget. They will represent GSGI in the community and increase positive brand awareness.

A day in the life… (Essential functions)

• Partner with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Director of Philanthropy to create a strategy designed to create revenue-driving partnerships
• Responsible for reaching revenue targets and goals
• Establish and maintain ongoing relationships with communities, partners, and major donors
• Collaboration with the CDO on the Iowa State Fair and Midwest Dairy Council partnership including the management of the relationship, revenue, volunteers, marketing, strategy, communication, tracking, etc.
• Create and manage innovative partnerships that contribute revenue funding to GSGI’s budget
• Represent GSGI at the State Capitol and meet regularly with Iowa Legislators
• Implement and oversee grant applications in partnership with the Grants and Proposals Manager, to maximize efforts that will generate increased funds for GSGI. Assist with the writing of select grants, manage spending, and coordination with the mission outreach and finance teams.
• Strategize funding opportunities through government grants, bills, and Iowa state budget
• Contribute to the donor relations plan, including stewardship and gratitude
• Develop new- and enhance existing- networks with other leaders in the youth development and nonprofit sector to identify new opportunities for innovative, collaborative fundraising and programming
• Travel throughout the GSGI territory is required

The fine print… (Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 3 years of sales, recruitment, or fundraising related experience
• Strong sense of urgency and results orientation are required
• Understanding of and ability to analyze and interpret data and translating information into actionable strategies
• Strong attention to detail and proven problem-solving skills
• Previous experience in state government legislative system is preferred
• Strong customer service orientation and excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate well both in writing, verbally and strong presentation skills with the ability to be diplomatic, persuasive, and build support and commitment
• Ability to utilize fundraising software (CRM) and technologies, including social media platforms
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including some overnight travel and night and weekend hours