Development & Communications Strategist

Development and Communications Strategist

Reports To: Vice President for Development

Department: Development

Location: Minneapolis, Remote/Hybrid Eligible

Status: Non-Exempt;
Full-Time, 40 hours per week

Compensation: $36.00 - $41.00 per hour;
Benefit Eligible

The Development and Communications Strategist is a key contributor to advancing Mac Phail’s mission through the thoughtful integration of fundraising and communications strategies. This position leads the strategy and execution of the annual giving program, and the content creation and digital communications strategy and execution across the organization. While reporting directly to the VP of Development, the Director of Marketing and Communications will supervise the content and communications work of the role.

The role blends creative storytelling with donor-centered fundraising practices and data‑driven decision‑making. Success in this role will thrive at the intersection of development and communications and play a vital role in shaping how we engage donors, market programs to current and potential students and their families, and communicate our impact to the community.

• Develop and manage a comprehensive, multi‑channel annual giving strategy, including direct mail, email, and social media appeals
• Oversee donor segmentation, calendar planning, copywriting, design coordination, and production
• Collaborate with VP of Development to establish and meet annual giving goals.
• Support donor stewardship efforts such as impact updates and special campaigns (Give to the Max Day, year‑end fundraising)
• Monitor results, analyze performance, and adjust tactics accordingly

• Write compelling, mission‑aligned content for fundraising appeals, stewardship communications, newsletters, donor communications, website, brochures, one‑pagers and more
• Support multimedia content creation efforts—including basic video editing, graphics, and short‑form digital content—for fundraising campaigns, social media, donor engagement, and other programs as needed
• Partner with program and marketing teams to develop promotional content for classes, events, and community impact
• Collaborate with Director of Marketing and Communications and other marketing team members to manage the editorial calendar across marketing and fundraising
• Source stories from across the organization that can drive enrollment for prospective students and student families and illustrate our mission, programming and the value of support for a donor audience
• Collaborate with Director of Marketing and Communications and other marketing team members to maintain brand standards and a consistent tone and voice across platforms and departments
• Meet regularly with the Director of Marketing and Communications and attend Marketing team meetings as needed

• Manage and implement digital fundraising and marketing efforts, including but not limited to email campaigns
• Develop and maintain a digital content calendar in alignment with development, enrollment and other key program priorities
• Use analytics to report on fundraising digital engagement metrics and guide strategy improvements

• Support the teams in ensuring accurate donor, student, and student parent records in Raiser’s Edge/NXT and Hub Spot
• Work with database specialist and digital marketing manager to run queries and reports to inform strategy, support campaign segmentation, performance tracking, and donor analysis and/or work closely with data owners of other systems across the organization as needed to coordinate efforts (e.g. development, marketing and student services)
• Ensure data hygiene and alignment of digital tools in close collaboration with cross‑org data owners including the development, marketing and student services

• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and/or communications, with a demonstrated track record of managing annual giving and donor communications, required
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing,…