At Digs with Dignity, we aspire to break the cycle of homelessness by furnishing homes with creative, custom designs using sustainable, upcycled solutions.  As a 501(c)(3), Digs with Dignity partners with Chicago-based social service agencies to identify those in need and utilizes a warehouse of donated and refurbished furniture and home goods to outfit homes. Founded in 2019, we have helped furnish homes for over 200 families in Chicago while keeping over 220,000 lbs of furniture and waste out of landfills.

Our Crew

• We are team players, creatives, and doers who are passionate about making an impact on the lives of others and on our planet.
• We roll up our sleeves to get the job done and don’t mind getting dirty.
• We sweat the small stuff to best serve our families.
• We are deeply committed to instilling dignity in families and homes.
• Our work is life-changing, but we like having fun doing it.

We seek a passionate change-maker for our Head of External Affairs position with experience in the philanthropic, nonprofit, civic, and social sectors to join Our Crew. The Head of External Affairs is a key member of our leadership team to advance our mission, strategic priorities, marketing, fundraising goals, events, and volunteer recruitment. Reporting to the Executive Director and collaborating with the Head of Internal Operations, this leader will identify opportunities to increase awareness of our programming, build strong relationships with various stakeholders, and ensure excellent execution of programming and strategic initiatives. They will manage and develop 3 team members - the Director of Donor Development, the Marketing Coordinator, and the Client Liaison. Commitment to our mission, cultural humanity, and the ability to work across differences are necessary for success in this role. This individual must also be a detail-oriented, highly organized professional with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. If this resonates with you, apply today!

Operations:

• Develop and refine processes and protocols for external operations (e.g., monthly newsletters and communications, processes for the Annual Report, and annual fundraising/marketing plan) to support the organization’s growth and efficiency.
• Streamline workflow for community outreach initiatives and partnership development.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of external affairs activities to identify opportunities and areas for improvement.
• Ensure consistent and effective communication between the organization and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and leadership team for strategic planning and growth plans.  

Community Relations:

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, establish new relationships and foster existing relationships with key community partners, donors, sponsors, government officials, professional networks, and supporters to strengthen Digs with Dignity’s external presence and impact.
• Coordinate community outreach strategy and events to build strong community networks.

Fundraising & Events:

• Provide strategic direction, manage and execute fundraising and donor events, including the annual Welcome Home Gala, to ensure a successful campaign and impactful events.
• Ensure proper collection and reporting of donations within the development database.
• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies for campaigns, partnerships, grant writing, and donor relations.
• Develop a Digs with Dignity donor stewardship plan to review and update annually and ensure compliance with donor intent.
• Develop and oversee the maintenance of the marketing, fundraising, and external relations budget.

Volunteer Management:

• Grow the volunteer program, including recruitment, and develop innovative communications, scheduling, and engagement processes to support initiatives and families.
• Collaborate with the Head of Internal Operations to oversee logistics for volunteer program processes. 

Marketing:

• Coordinate internal and external communications to promote the organization, programming, and events in collaboration with the Executive Director and Marketing Coordinator.
• Oversee and support the Marketing Coordinator for all constituent communications and brand marketing efforts across all platforms to increase visibility and engagement.

Crew Culture:

• Develop, supervise, and evaluate team members to meet or exceed performance metrics, fundraising, and awareness goals.
• Create and employ measures for team (individual and group) accountability.
• Cultivate a high-performance and inclusive culture by maintaining positive working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Digs with Dignity's mission and commitment to families.
• Display a desire to work with culturally diverse populations using a compassionate, collaborative, and respectful approach.

Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, or related degree.
• 7+ years of fundraising, marketing, and external affairs experience with a track record of successful fundraising campaigns and events.
• Skilled in creating and managing marketing campaigns, with experience in social media, content creation, and public relations.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks effectively.
• Demonstrated experience in leading teams, managing projects, and fostering a positive work environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate ideas and expectations.
• Flexible to changing priorities and conditions.
• Open to ambiguity, adaptability, and constantly learning for personal growth and to expand perspective. 
• Strong interpersonal skills that is people-centered to build strong relationships with volunteers, team, community partners, and donors.
• Reflective about personal strengths and weaknesses and able to effectively balance confidence with humility.
• Genuine enthusiasm for Digs with Dignity’s mission to support families in need and make a meaningful impact in the community.

Benefits

• Unlimited PTO and 401k plan.
• Opportunities for career advancement within a growing and impactful organization.
• Hybrid work schedule.
• Medical benefit options effective January 2025.

At Digs with Dignity, we believe that diversity strengthens our team and enriches our work. We are an equal-opportunity employer and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for everyone and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, prioritizing those with experience serving the populations we work with.  We believe everyone deserves respect and equal opportunity regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

APPLICATION CLOSED.