The Marketing and Development Director provides strategic leadership for Heartland Counseling Services’ marketing, communications, fundraising, community engagement, and development efforts. The Director strengthens Heartland’s brand and community presence, grows philanthropic support, builds donor and community relationships, and communicates the organization’s mission, services, and impact. The Marketing and Development Director develops and implements integrated strategies aligned with organizational goals and oversees fundraising, donor stewardship, sponsorships, special events, public relations, community partnerships, organizational communications, and provides leadership and supervision to Marketing and Development staff. The Marketing and Development Director also serves as a key external representative of Heartland, building relationships with donors, businesses, community organizations, media, and other stakeholders to increase awareness and advance the organization’s mission.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: Strategic Leadership & Department Management
Develop and lead Heartland’s marketing, communications, fundraising, and development strategy in collaboration with executive leadership, establishing goals, priorities, timelines, and measurable outcomes. Supervise and support Marketing and Development staff, providing direction, prioritization, delegation, professional development, and accountability to achieve departmental goals. Establish workflows, calendars, systems, and processes that promote efficient and sustainable Marketing and Development operations and clearly define project ownership and responsibilities. Develop and monitor Marketing and Development budgets, fundraising performance, sponsorship revenue, campaign outcomes, and other key performance indicators. Evaluate the effectiveness and return on investment of marketing, fundraising, outreach, and development initiatives to inform future strategy and resource allocation. Support organizational growth and new initiatives through strategic marketing, communications, fundraising, and community engagement efforts.
Fundraising & Donor Development:
Lead donor development and stewardship, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and maintaining relationships with individual donors, major donors, corporate partners, sponsors, and prospective supporters. Develop and implement strategies to grow and diversify philanthropic revenue through individual and corporate giving, sponsorships, annual campaigns, major and planned gifts, special events, and other fundraising opportunities. Oversee donor communications and stewardship efforts to ensure donors and partners understand the impact of their support and remain meaningfully connected to Heartland’s mission. Oversee fundraising platforms, donor records, sponsorship tracking, event data, and other Development systems to support effective stewardship, accurate reporting, and informed decision-making. Serve as the Marketing and Development liaison to the Board of Directors and Fund Development Committee, providing updates on fundraising, donor development, and opportunities for Board involvement.
Marketing, Communications & Public Relations:
Provide strategic oversight of Heartland’s brand, ensuring consistent messaging, visual identity, and organizational voice across programs, locations, campaigns, publications, digital platforms, and community outreach. Lead organizational communications and public relations, including media relations, press releases, newsletters, annual reports, organizational announcements, campaigns, and other internal and external communications. Develop and oversee marketing strategies that increase awareness of Heartland’s services and connect individuals, families, referral partners, and communities with available resources. Collaborate with leadership and program teams to promote Heartland’s services, programs, achievements, staff, events, and organizational initiatives. Oversee the execution of social media, digital content, promotional materials, and other marketing activities. Protect and strengthen Heartland’s reputation by ensuring communications are accurate, professional, mission-centered, and consistent with organizational values and confidentiality requirements.
Events & Sponsorships:
Provide strategic leadership for Heartland’s fundraising and community events, including the Golf Outing, Gala, Trivia Night, and Mental Health Walk.
Establish event goals, budgets, sponsorship strategies, fundraising opportunities, timelines, and measures of success.
Develop and maintain relationships with event sponsors, businesses, community partners, and other stakeholders.
Oversee event logistics, promotional efforts, communications, volunteer coordination, and other activities necessary for successful events.
Evaluate event outcomes and return on investment to improve future events and fundraising opportunities.
Community Engagement & Partnerships:
Build and maintain relationships with businesses, community organizations, donors, sponsors, media partners, referral sources, and other stakeholders throughout Heartland’s service area. Identify and develop strategic partnerships, sponsorships, collaborations, and community engagement opportunities that increase visibility, strengthen community support, and advance Heartland’s mission. Represent Heartland throughout the 15-county service area at community meetings, Chamber events, networking opportunities, presentations, employer outreach events, and other community activities. Serve as a knowledgeable representative of Heartland’s programs and services and effectively communicate the organization’s mission and impact to community members and partners. Identify opportunities to increase awareness of Heartland’s services and strengthen connections with individuals, families, referral partners, employers, and communities.
Other Responsibilities:
Maintain professional ethics, confidentiality, and organizational standards in all marketing, development, communications, and community engagement activities. Perform other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Comprehensive knowledge of nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, marketing, communications, and community engagement. Strong project management, organizational, and coordination skills. Ability to stay current on market, business, community, and fundraising trends that may affect organizational needs and resources. Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and other relevant software and digital platforms. Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to maintain professional ethics, confidentiality, and organizational standards. Ability to supervise and collaborate effectively with staff and volunteers while working independently and as part of a team. Knowledge of Heartland Counseling Services’ programs and services, with the ability to effectively communicate that information to community members, partners, and stakeholders. Working knowledge of the communities and counties within Heartland’s service area is preferred, including Antelope, Boyd, Brown, Burt, Cedar, Cherry, Dakota, Dixon, Holt, Keya Paha, Knox, Pierce, Rock, Thurston, and Wayne counties in Nebraska; Woodbury County, Iowa; and Union County, South Dakota. Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record required.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, with at least four years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, marketing, communications, community engagement, or a related field.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer. Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.***Eligible employees of Heartland Counseling Services may qualify for student debt repayment programs.
