Director of Development and Communications

LEDC aims to transform our community by creating economic opportunities for Latinos. We envision a region and state with a thriving multicultural community enriched with Latino leadership, culture, and economic influence.

Our overarching goal is to help Latinos achieve economic prosperity through entrepreneurship and small business development.

Since its inception in 2003, LEDC has earned its place as a trusted partner for Minnesota’s Latino and immigrant communities, providing education, lending, and technical assistance to small businesses in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. We are a Latino-led, fully bilingual organization, rich in lived experience and nuanced understanding of our clients, their cultural backgrounds, and their specific economic and business needs. As the only Latino-focused CDFI in the upper Midwest, we work to bridge the region’s enormous gap in culturally and linguistically appropriate business development services.

At LEDC, we have long recognized that the impact of our work goes far beyond the individual small businesses we support. These businesses are woven into the very fabric of Minnesota’s rich and diverse Latino community, providing employment opportunities for immigrants and meeting essential social and cultural needs in our community. All of our efforts are focused on maintaining the integrity of this fabric and working to strengthen it so that our culture itself can continue to thrive.

LEDC is hiring a Director of Development and Communications to drive fundraising strategy and implementation to meet the organization’s strategic goals. While this work includes prospecting and developing relationships with potential funding sources and stewarding relationships with existing funders, an equal emphasis will be placed on writing proposals and preparing reports as needed for a range of funding opportunities. Other responsibilities include messaging development, special event support, leveraging communications to support fundraising, and investor relations.

The successful candidate will have experience managing multi-faceted projects involving internal and external constituents; excellent analytical, interpersonal, organizational, and writing (persuasive and informational) skills; and the exercise of discretion and independent judgment.

Management (20%)

Manages and oversees a Communications Manager and staff member supporting development activity and third-party consultants. Creates annual fundraising plan, and executes on the fundraising strategies planned. Serves as the central connecting point for all fundraising across the organization, enabling the efficient exchange of quantitative, qualitative, and anecdotal information about opportunities and funders. Works with program leads to evaluate funding prospects and develop and transform ideas into fundraising concepts and proposals. Channels will include government, philanthropic, institutional, and corporate fundraising. Lead the planning and execution of strategies and processes. Establish departmental goals, priorities, and work plans aligning with strategic organizational goals. Guides implementation of Salesforce to utilize as the primary tool for CRM and tracking outcomes, metrics, and funder relations and development. Promote a high-performance, continuous improvement culture that values learning and a commitment to quality. Coach and develop the department staff using a supportive and collaborative approach consistently, inspiring confidence, trust, respect, and transparency within the team.

At least three years of relevant experience preferred.

•Fundraising: A proven track record in successful fundraising is necessary for this position. Experience in grant writing for government and philanthropic funding opportunities is required. Fundraising experience for the CDFI sector is preferred.

•Project and Timeline Management: Strong organizational and project management skills that reflect the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail. Problem-solving orientation and solution mindset.

•Writing and Communications: Excellent persuasive writing skills. Ability to use research and data to craft compelling proposals. Ability to edit and proofread with attention to grammar, accuracy, and consistency.

• Full time, 40 hours a week
• Salary: $85,000
• Benefits: 100% employer paid health insurance for employee and for family members • Life insurance
• Employer matched retirement account
• Paid time off, sick leave, vacation and holidays, including parental leave

Please send a cover letter and resume to careers@ledcmn.org and include Director of Development and Communications: [your name] in the subject line.

Deadline to apply:

The position will remain open until filled, with the first screening of candidates on or about March 27th, 2023.