Development And Communications Manager

How to Apply

Submit a letter of interest and resumé/CV as a PDF to [email protected] and we’ll be in touch! There is no deadline; this position is open until filled.

Overview

Blue Sky Center is searching for management staff to help scale our impact as we enter the next phase of our organization’s life. This is an opportunity to bring your creative leadership and passion for rural economic development to the Cuyama Valley! We are looking for natural leaders who thrive in a rural environment with a demonstrated passion for social, economic, and/or environmental justice.

Blue Sky Center is right for you if:

●You are self-directed and able to drive multiple projects at once.

●You are patient and believe asset-based economic development is the cornerstone of community resilience.

●You are resourceful and able to adapt while maintaining a celebratory culture.

●You thrive in a strategic environment and willing work within a sociocratic system that values autonomy, consensus, trust, and competence.

Blue Sky Center (BSC) is a rural nonprofit located in New Cuyama, California. With a vision to build models for resilient, thriving rural economies, we work to strengthen our communities within the surrounding Cuyama Valley by supporting entrepreneurs and building our regional creative and economic resources. As a place-based organization, our creative team prioritizes projects and collaborations that celebrate the abundance of Cuyama. We work with grassroots projects ranging from arts, design, hospitality, food systems, and local business development. Our organization has launched a variety of social enterprises over the years in order to self-sustain our facilities as well as define an innovative entrepreneurship model for rural development. Our 267-acre property in New Cuyama contains 7 mid-century buildings (24,000 SF) and 6 glamping-style huts. Our annual expenses approach $500,000, with total assets of $1,200,000. More about our work here and our team here. Blue Sky Center is searching for people to help scale our impact as we enter the next phase of our organization’s life. We invite you to learn more about us via our 2022 Annual Report.

Responsibilities

The Development and Communications Manager will be responsible for helping shape the vision and voice to drive growth and sustainability of current programs, maintain Blue Sky Center as a model of economic and cultural resilience for rural communities, and build new vision and programs to elevate the Cuyama Valley and support its residents.

Responsibilities include:

●Develop and pursue diverse fundraising strategies, including grant opportunities, donor relations, and earned revenue.

●Working with program staff to coordinate events to market Blue Sky Center’s earned revenue streams (i.e. Blue Sky Camp, Cuyama Beverage Co, and the L88 Airstrip)

●Collaborating with Blue Sky Board of Directors and Finance Circle to establish annual fundraising goals and strategies for reaching them.

●Collaborate with program staff to strategize, design, and execute multiple communications and marketing campaigns (e.g. newsletters, public relations presentations and articles, annual reports, marketing materials).

●Supervise and manage staff, interns, and volunteers, including holding regular check-ins to establish goals, guiding staff with project-specific work, and performing annual staff reviews and professional development plans.

●Develop healthy board policies for board management and recruitment.

●Take part and lead presentations throughout the country to passionately convey the interdependence between resilience and inclusivity as it relates to community and economic development.

Criteria

●Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence: You are able to both build and sustain relationships while getting things done.

●Strong written and verbal communication: You are able to effectively and efficiently communicate in varied settings and on varied platforms.

●Demonstrated experience in nonprofit development: You have been successful in executing communications campaigns, writing and receiving grants, and donor engagement.

●Commitment to Blue Sky Center’s Diversity, Ethics, Inclusion, and Justice Goals, as outlined in our Racial Equity Statement.

●Mission-driven: You believe in the power of building models for resilient, thriving, and inclusive rural economies.

Salary and Benefits

●Ability to work remotely for the majority of the regular tasks, with periodic in-person work as needed (overnight accommodations provided by BSC)

●Starting salary of $55,000, annually adjustable by approval of the Board of Directors

●Eligible for performance/annual bonus as determined by the Board of Directors

●Personal employer-provided health insurance coverage

●Flexible professional development period of 30 paid days per year and a $2,000 annual professional development fund for use on direct expenses (conference fees, travel, meals, etc.)

●15 paid vacation days per year, 10 paid sick days per year

●10 paid days off for Federal Holidays and ~12 paid days off for Blue Sky closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Break

●Mileage reimbursement and per diems for work-related travel

●Discount on Shelton Huts for visiting friends and family

●Occasional weekend activities (BBǪs, wine tastings, farm tours) at various ranches

●Professional network development through Blue Sky Center contacts and events

●Periodic family-style meals with Blue Sky Center team and visitors

●Flexibility to accept side work that does not impact duties of the position (as pre-approved)

Nondiscrimination Statement

Blue Sky Center is committed to provide equal opportunity without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

How to Apply

Submit a letter of interest and resumé/CV as a PDF to [email protected].