Director of Development & Community Engagement

Full-Time, Exempt

YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women across East Tennessee. We live this mission every day through programs and services that help women, children, and families move toward safety, stability, and chance.

Director of Development & Community Engagement leads efforts to strengthen the YWCA's relationships with donors, partners, volunteers, and the broader community. This position is responsible for donor and community communications, fundraising campaigns, special events, sponsorships, stewardship, and organizational storytelling that increase awareness, engagement, and philanthropic support.

Development & Donor Engagement

Manage donor communications and regular stewardship touchpoints throughout the year.

Support the CEO in cultivating and stewarding individual, corporate, foundation, and community relationships.

Develop sponsorship opportunities and cultivate corporate and community partners.

Maintain accurate donor, sponsorship, and engagement information within the organization's CRM.

Track development activity and provide regular reporting on fundraising and engagement efforts.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

Serve as a visible ambassador for the YWCA and build relationships with businesses, civic organizations, community partners, and other stakeholders.

Coordinate organizational participation in community events and engagement opportunities.

Develop meaningful opportunities for donors, volunteers, businesses, and community groups to connect with the YWCA's mission.

Lead donor and community-facing communications, including newsletters, email campaigns, social media, fundraising appeals,



and impact communications.

Create communications strategies that support fundraising campaigns, events, donor stewardship, and community engagement.

Oversee website and social media content to ensure information is current, engaging, and aligned with organizational priorities.

Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of YWCA fundraising and community engagement events, including the Keys of Hope Luncheon and other special events.

Cultivate event sponsors and community partners in collaboration with the CEO and Board.

Manage vendors, venues, volunteers, communications, registration, and event logistics.

Evaluate event performance, including revenue, expenses, attendance, sponsorships, and opportunities for future engagement.

Development Strategy & Operations

Work with the CEO to develop annual fundraising and community engagement priorities.

Maintain a development calendar incorporating campaigns, events, donor communications, stewardship, and community engagement.

Support Board members in donor cultivation, community engagement, and fundraising efforts.

Help strengthen systems and processes that support sustainable philanthropic growth.

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, Development, or a related field preferred.





4–6 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit development, donor engagement, communications, community relations, fundraising, or a related field.

Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with donors, community partners, businesses, or other stakeholders.

Experience planning fundraising events, campaigns, sponsorships, or donor engagement activities.

Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Comfortable representing the organization in community and donor settings.

Experience with donor databases or CRM systems preferred.

Proficiency with social media, email marketing platforms, and basic design tools such as Canva.

Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take ownership of projects from strategy through execution.

Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and community activities.

Commitment to respectful, inclusive, and relationship-centered engagement with donors, volunteers, partners, staff, and the community.

60,000-65,000, with the potential for a performance-based bonus for exceptional achievement of fundraising and engagement goals. Monday–Friday, with flexibility for events and community engagement activities health, dental, and vision insurance short-term and long-term disability coverage life insurance

Employee Assistance Program retirement plan with employer contribution generous paid time off and holidays

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage women and individuals from historically underrepresented communities to apply. #

📌 Development Director (Remote) (St. John's)
🏢 YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee V
📍 St. John's