Title: Development Manager of Community Engagement                                            START: TBD

We are seeking a talented, committed, culturally competent Development Manager of Community Engagement to join the Development team at KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The ideal start date for this position is January 2025. Submitting this application considers you for all 2024-2025 opportunities for which you are qualified. To browse immediate openings, please visit our careers website.

About KPPS

KIPP is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools in educationally underserved communities.  Over 100,000 students attend one of the 242 KIPP schools that operate in 31 regions across the United States.  KIPP Philadelphia Schools Public Schools (KPPS) is a part of the national KIPP network and currently leads 8 schools serving approximately over 3,000  in North and West Philadelphia. 

Our Mission

Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. 

Life at KPPS

We know that talented, committed, culturally competent team members have the power to amplify our children’s potential by creating a school experience that affirms, values, and challenges them each day. We seek to create a professional environment full of joy, candor, care and community where passionate professionals can make a long-term home. Team members at KIPP –

• Are committed to anti-racism, equity and inclusion

• Are part of a diverse community of educators and professionals

• Show up as themselves, inspiring our children to do the same

• Lead with care and candor and take ownership of our children’s learning and growth

• Access learning experts, collaboration, and best practices from the national KIPP Foundation

• Enjoy a competitive, equitable, predictable approach to compensation, comprehensive health benefits for employees and their families, a 403B matching program, and free access to financial services

Responsibilities:

Designing and Implementing Event Strategy:

• Design events specifically targeted at attracting corporate sponsors, prospective donors, and new volunteers. Ensure that these events not only showcase the organization’s work but also offer meaningful opportunities for partners and supporters to become more involved.   

• Design and implement creative, community-focused strategies to attract new volunteers, individual donors, and corporate partners. Focus on creating events and engagement opportunities that leave a lasting impression.

• Lead the planning and execution of a variety of in-person and virtual events aimed at introducing the organization to new audiences, cultivating relationships, and showcasing the impact of our work. Events will be designed to foster deeper connections with potential donors, volunteers, and community leaders. 

• Keep events fresh and engaging by incorporating new technologies, creative formats, and interactive experiences. Ensure events are designed to engage a diverse range of attendees and create a sense of community around the organization’s mission.

Building and Strengthening Corporate Partnerships:

• Build and strengthen relationships with corporate sponsors and partners by organizing engagement opportunities such as corporate volunteer days, partner recognition events, or unique partnership activities that demonstrate the value of collaboration.

• Organize and manage volunteer events that recognize and appreciate current volunteers, while also creating opportunities to attract new volunteers to the organization. Highlight the value and impact of volunteer involvement in meaningful ways.

• Develop and grow the KIPP Connectors Advisory Council to strengthen relationships with current and prospective donors. Focus on creating an engaged group of influential supporters who provide strategic advice, advocacy, and financial support for the organization. Regularly engage council members through meetings, events, and one-on-one relationship-building to ensure they remain committed to advancing the mission.

• Leverage your creativity to build relationships with local businesses, community organizations, and influencers. Work to expand the organization’s network and foster new opportunities for engagement through events and community outreach.

Enhancing Donor Communications:

• Use storytelling and creative communication to illustrate the organization’s mission, impact, and values. Ensure the organization’s brand is consistently represented across all donor communications and events.

• Work closely with the Director of Communications to develop engaging, creative materials for donor communications, including case statements, impact reports, and personalized thank-you messages. These materials should reflect the organization’s mission and the impact of its work.

• Assist in crafting compelling donor communications to ensure that all supporters feel informed, engaged, and appreciated. This includes creating tailored thank-you notes, donor spotlights, and stewardship reports that highlight donor contributions.

• Build and grow the organization’s monthly giving program, focusing on attracting and retaining new recurring donors. Develop creative strategies to communicate the impact of monthly gifts, make giving easy and meaningful, and recognize monthly donors regularly to strengthen their commitment to the organization.

Reporting and Data Management:

• Track and Analyze Engagement: Utilize donor management systems to monitor donor engagement, track event attendance, and assess the effectiveness of engagement strategies. Provide regular reports on donor activity and event success.

• Data Integrity and Insights: Ensure accurate records are maintained in the donor management system. Regularly review and clean donor data to maintain data integrity and identify trends for future engagement strategies.

• Gift Processing: Work with the finance team to ensure timely processing of gifts, pledges, and donations. Track the fulfillment of donor pledges and ensure that donors are properly recognized in accordance with the organization’s policies.

Qualifications:

• 3–5 years of experience in donor engagement, community outreach, event planning, or a related field, with a proven ability to design and execute creative engagement strategies.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and corporate partners.

• Demonstrated creativity in planning events, engaging new supporters, and finding innovative ways to connect people to the organization’s mission.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling stories and create engaging donor communications.

• Experience with donor management systems (e.g., Salesforce, Bloomerang) and event management platforms (e.g., Eventbrite).

• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

• A passion for the organization’s mission and a deep commitment to expanding its network of supporters, partners, and volunteers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with major gift donors and corporate sponsors.

• Experience developing and managing advisory councils or similar high-level donor groups.

• Familiarity with monthly giving programs and strategies to build recurring revenue.

• Familiarity with digital engagement tools and virtual event platforms.

• Experience managing volunteer programs and organizing volunteer recognition events.

• Knowledge of nonprofit best practices in donor engagement and stewardship.

Why Join Us? As the Development Manager of Community Engagement, you will have the opportunity to lead creative and innovative efforts that connect new supporters to our organization and strengthen relationships with existing donors and volunteers. This role offers the chance to directly shape the future of our donor engagement strategy, build meaningful relationships with community leaders and corporate partners, and develop key programs like KIPP Connectors Advisory Council and the monthly giving program. If you are passionate about bringing people together, fostering community involvement, and driving engagement through dynamic events and experiences, this is the role for you.

Note To Applicants

KIPP Philadelphia Schools is an equal opportunity employer.  Employees are selected on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.