Director of Development and Communications

About Us:

The DC History Center and HumanitiesDC recently announced that they intend to merge. This fall, we will become a single nonprofit dedicated to preserving the District’s history, celebrating its culture, and supporting the humanities. From our base at the Carnegie Library, DC History Center + HumanitiesDC will offer research, education, grants, and programming opportunities to match any level of knowledge or interest in the District. Our new organization will be a place for DC’s curious minds to build community, find common ground, and help shape the future of our nation’s capital.

Position Summary:

DC History Center + HumanitiesDC is seeking a strategic, energetic, and mission-driven Director of Development and Communications to lead our fundraising, communications, and marketing efforts. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will partner closely with the Executive Director to shape organizational strategy, grow philanthropic support, and elevate our voice in the community.

You’ll lead a talented Development and Communications Team, supervising three direct-reports while managing a departmental budget, a major gifts portfolio, and the organization’s brand and media presence. This role requires a Monday–Friday schedule with regular evening and weekend commitments for organizational events.

Responsibilities:

Strategy, Vision & Leadership

• Help shape organizational strategy and annual fundraising and communications plans
• Advise the Executive Director on fundraising and communications
• Manage the department's annual budget and long-term goals

Fundraising

• Manage a major gifts portfolio while supporting the organization’s institutional relationships
• Set annual fundraising goals and oversee workflows to achieve them
• Support board fundraising, staff the Development Committee, and help recruit new board members
• Supervise grant writing and guide prospecting for new grant funders and individual donors
• Develop a planned giving program and a stewardship strategy across donor levels
• Supervise annual fund, membership, and events

Communications & Marketing

• Set strategy for institutional messaging, media relations, and marketing
• Serve as primary media contact and lead the organization’s visibility efforts
• Oversee production of the annual report, from content to design and distribution

Community Relations & Advocacy

• Lead advocacy strategy for the DC humanities sector, particularly with DC government
• Represent the organization externally and with key partners such as DowntownDC BID, Events DC, and DC Public Library

Team Development

• Coach and grow a high-performing Development and Communications team
• Set staff goals, provide ongoing feedback, and support professional growth

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, plus 7+ years of experience in fundraising, grant writing, communications, project management, media relations, or marketing – ideally in Washington, DC;
• Experience creating and stewarding donor and partner relationships that lead to financial support;
• A track record of leading teams and driving organizational growth and change;
• Experience working across diverse communities;
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills, with sharp attention to detail;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Teams, and CRMs; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and WordPress is a plus;
• Fluency in Spanish, French, Amharic, or Chinese is a plus.

Compensation:

This role will be paid an annual salary based on our Compensation Framework and Strategy, plus a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401K with 4% match, holidays and paid closures, paid leave, short‑and long‑term disability coverage, paid parental leave, pre‑tax SmarTrip contributions, and more. DC History Center + HumanitiesDC does not negotiate salaries or benefits at the time of hire or any other time.

DC History Center + HumanitiesDC is an equal opportunity employer.