Back Bay Mission is seeking a Community Relations Associate to join its staff. This is a full-time and exempt position responsible for a broad range of communications with Back Bay Mission (BBM) constituencies. Primary emphasis will be placed on developing a strong network of support on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The position is also responsible for information management of electronic donor files.
Contact Person: Rev. Alice Graham, Ph.D., Executive Director
Download a .pdf of this position description.
Education and Experience Expectations
A Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or similar field is preferred. Previous employment in fund-raising or public relations, particularly for non-profits, is also preferable.
Position Requirements
Strong oral and written communication skills
Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build rapport with diverse donors and constituents. Must set a hospitable, gracious, and genuinely friendly tone with all constituents, on the phone, in electronic communications, and face-to-face.
Values consistent with the core mission of BBM and shared commitment to improving the lives of low-income and vulnerable populations on the Gulf Coast.
High level administrative skills, able to manage time and priorities effectively.
Consistent attentiveness to details and timely follow-through on tasks.
High degree of self-motivation; able to take initiative and work independently while maintaining collegial relationships with other staff, volunteers, and donors.
Ability to manage multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously.
Strong computer skills including proficiency in MS Office applications and Access databases.
Ability to maximize social media opportunities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop relationships with current BBM donors on Mississippi Gulf Coast
Develop significant network of individual, congregational, corporate and philanthropic support in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community and strengthen local giving to Back Bay Mission.
Recruit members for local Advisory Board of BBM; act as primary staff liaison to this group on ongoing basis.
Produce and edit The Changing Tides printed newsletter; produce electronic communications, appeal letters, annual report of organization, and other communication methods relative to development and fund-raising.
Work cooperatively with the Church Relations Associate and Executive Director to implement the organizational Development Plan and provide consistent messaging.
Coordinate and manage work of contracted grant-writer.
Contribute to social media content of Back Bay Mission and maintain BBM’s website.
Manage the Bloomerang (or other) donor software system, utilizing its full capacity to maximize its benefit for donor cultivation and fund development growth:
- Provide back-up support for entering data.
- Produce reports as requested or necessary to analyze giving patterns, track giving from particular donor segments, or identify giving opportunities.
Coordinate local public relations and media tasks.
Maintain and update organizational inventory of photographs depicting all services & programs of BBM for use in all communications.
Regularly provide information and reports about giving trends, communications, or giving statistics to the Development Committee of Back Bay Mission’s Board of Directors and the Executive Director.
Assist the Executive Director as requested to plan fund-raising and ‘friend-raising’ visits with donors or donor prospects.
Manage and respond to calls from individuals, congregations, civic clubs, or other groups interested in learning more about BBM or requesting information; represent BBM as requested and needed.
Provide information to the Board of Directors as requested.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
