Job Description

Director of Development & Communications

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a nonprofit law firm that has served low?income individuals in Northwest and West Central Ohio for over 50 years. With our partner law firm, Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), we are the only providers of comprehensive legal representation in non?criminal matters for more than 425,000 people in our service region. We advocate for just and equitable policy changes and fight for the right to fairness and justice in the legal system.

Position Summary

The Director of Development & Communications provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for a unified Development and Communications function serving ABLE and LAWO. The position is responsible for developing and implementing organization?wide strategies that strengthen donor engagement, fundraising outcomes, brand awareness, organizational messaging, and community visibility. The Director leads the planning and execution of comprehensive development and communications plans aligned with organizational priorities and annual goals, while ensuring consistent, mission?centered messaging across all audiences and platforms. The Director directly supervises Development and Communications staff and provides guidance, support, and accountability to ensure cohesive, efficient, and effective operations across both functions. The Director serves as a primary representative of ABLE and LAWO in building and stewarding donor and community relationships and works in collaboration with the Executive Director and leadership team to advance strategic organizational initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for ABLE and LAWOs Development and Communications functions to ensure alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
• Establish annual and multi?year Development and Communications strategies, goals, and performance expectations, and ensure effective implementation through direct reports.
• Lead and facilitate organization?wide planning for Development and Communications initiatives, ensuring alignment, collaboration, and consistency across offices.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and leadership team to support organizational priorities, initiatives, and resource development opportunities.

Development and Donor Engagement

• Develop and oversee the framework, priorities, and standards for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for ABLE and LAWO.
• Build and steward key organizational?level donor relationships and support the Executive Director and Board members in donor engagement activities.
• Approve regional development strategies and ensure Regional Directors tailor and execute plans in alignment with organizational goals.
• Ensure organization?wide adherence to donor recognition, stewardship expectations, and ethical fundraising practices.
• Provide guidance and support to staff responsible for donor engagement to ensure consistent and effective donor communications and experiences.

Communications and Brand Management

• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for ABLE and LAWOs internal and external Communications functions, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and messaging frameworks.
• Establish organizational brand and messaging standards, ensuring consistency across platforms, materials, and audiences.
• Oversee media relations strategy, key messaging, and organizational communications; serve as spokesperson when appropriate and approve media responses prepared by staff.
• Ensure communications strategies highlight ABLE and LAWOs mission, impact, and strategic priorities and are effectively executed by Communications staff.

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Provide leadership, coaching, performance management, and accountability for Development and Communications staff, promoting an inclusive, collaborative, and mission?driven culture.
• Directly supervise the Regional Directors, Communications Specialist, Development Assistant, and Communications Assistant.
• Establish clear priorities, expectations, and work plans for Development and Communications staff.
• Promote professional development and training to build staff capacity, leadership, and retention.

Collaboration and Partnership Building

• Build and maintain strong organizational?level relationships with donors, partners, and community stakeholders to increase awareness of and support for ABLE and LAWOs mission.
• Serve as a liaison and resource to internal programs to elevate client stories, outcomes, and impact to support Development and Communications strategies.
• Collaborate with the Grants and Contracts team to ensure alignment of messaging and reporting.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• Attend scheduled staff, board, and committee meetings, as well as occasional regional or national conferences and training programs.
• Represent ABLE and LAWO at community events and functions that support Development and Communications objectives.
• Perform other related duties assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required; advanced degree in a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in development, communications, or related nonprofit leadership roles, including supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated success in leading development and/or communications strategies, donor engagement, and partnership building.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation experience.
• Demonstrated leadership, decision?making, and strategic planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities across locations.
• Commitment to ABLE and LAWOs mission, values, and Standards of Excellence.

What We Offer

• ABLE is committed to providing an equitable work environment, including a commitment to pay equity. The annual salary range for this position starts at $81,000. ABLE offers comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, and paid parental leave. This position can be based out of Toledo or Dayton, with hybrid work possible and occasional travel between ABLEs office locations.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Work is performed in a professional office environment with standard office equipment. Must be able to travel between ABLE and LAWO offices and attend events as required. Occasional evening and overnight travel is required.

Other Duties

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. ABLE can revise or eliminate requirements and responsibilities of this position at any time to reflect its needs and objectives. ABLE will notify affected employees of any changes and the effective date of such changes.

TO APPLY

Please visit to submit your application. The position will remain open until it is filled.

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals. Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview/application process should contact the recruitment coordinator at hrteam@ablelaw.org.
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Job Tags

Work at office, Night shift, Afternoon shift,

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