Engagement Director Mobilizing Community and Philanthropy for Impact

Job Description

Job Description

Engagement Director

Common Heart – Indian Trail, NC
Since 2006, Common Heart has been sparking a small revolution of kindness — mobilizing grassroots generosity and service to end food insecurity and help families break the cycle of generational poverty.

Each month, we serve more than 10,000 neighbors through 14 food pantries and walk alongside 80+ families annually through economic empowerment programs.

We are seeking a highly entrepreneurial Engagement Director to lead fundraising, sponsorship development, donor engagement, and communications strategy in a fast-paced, grassroots environment.

This is not a maintenance role. It is a momentum-building leadership seat.

About the Role
The Engagement Director leads Common Heart’s “Getting Engaged” focus — fully resourcing the organization through proactive fundraising leadership, visible community presence, and disciplined donor development.

This senior leader is accountable for meeting documented revenue goals through:

• Major donor cultivation
• Sponsorship development
• Peer-to-peer campaign leadership
• Grants strategy
• Recurring donor growth
• Marketing and communications alignment

The Engagement Director directly supervises the Community Engagement Leader, leads the engagement team/events committees and works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

What Success Looks Like

• Personally cultivates and solicits sponsors and major donors.
• Maintains a documented sponsorship and donor pipeline.
• Drives weekly fundraising momentum.
• Leads written campaign strategy development.
• Ensures Hunger Walk and Love in Action Gala exceed $120,000+ annually.
• Conducts regular donor visits and networking engagements.
• Provides monthly revenue reporting and pipeline updates.
• Builds grassroots participation and small-dollar donor engagement.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute a comprehensive engagement plan.
• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and sponsors.
• Actively participate in peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.
• Lead signature events with clear revenue ownership.
• Oversee grants strategy and reporting.
• Guide storytelling, branding, and communications.
• Serve as a visible ambassador in civic, business, and faith communities.
• Provide structured leadership and accountability to four person engagement team.

Who Thrives in This Role

• A high-initiative, entrepreneurial fundraiser.
• Comfortable owning revenue goals.
• Energized by grassroots donor engagement.
• Visible and confident in networking settings.
• Comfortable in a fast-moving, mission-driven culture.
• Strategic thinker who works hands-on.
• Strong CRM and pipeline tracking competency.

Qualifications

• 5+ years fundraising leadership experience.
• Proven personal success cultivating major donors and sponsors.
• Experience managing peer-to-peer campaigns.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and reporting tools.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Compensation

$65,000–$75,000 base + performance incentives tied to documented revenue goals.

This is primarily an in-person leadership role. Active community engagement is expected.