Senior Manager of Strategic Communications & Grants

Senior Manager of Strategic Communications & Grants

The Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3

CDC) is a tax-exempt nonprofit focused on revitalizing Cincinnati's urban core, particularly the Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine. Partnering with the City of Cincinnati and the corporate community, 3

CDC works to create a vibrant downtown through development, programming, and district management, supported by a team of roughly 140 full-time and 180 part-time staff.

3

CDC At-a-Glance:

• 3
  
  CDC has contributed to more than $2B in development across Downtown and OTR, including civic spaces, mixed‑income housing, and mixed‑use projects.
• The organization manages nearly 700K square feet of commercial space, ~200 apartment units, and 5,900+ parking spaces, generating $51M+ annually.
• 3
  
  CDC oversees seven civic spaces, hosting nearly 1,600 free events each year.
• 3
  
  CDC also manages the Downtown Cincinnati and OTR South Special Improvement Districts, providing clean and safe services, outreach, beautification, and marketing.

Job Summary:

The Senior Manager of Strategic Communications & Grants leads 3

CDC's grant strategy and organizational storytelling to secure public and philanthropic funding and elevate impact. This position manages the full lifecycle of grants—research, proposal development, submission, and compliance—while maintaining a strong pipeline and funder relationships. The Senior Manager shapes clear, compelling narratives that translate complex development and community outcomes for diverse audiences; produces and oversees content across channels in partnership with cross‑functional teams to capture and communicate impact;

and supports executive and board communications to ensure consistent, mission‑aligned messaging.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive grants strategy aligned with 3
  
  CDC's organizational priorities, including identifying prospective funders across federal, state, local government, and philanthropic sources.
• Research funding opportunities relevant to 3
  
  CDC's redevelopment, affordable housing, historic preservation, commercial district management, and community programming work.
• Lead end‑to‑end proposal development, including project conceptualization in partnership with program and finance staff, narrative writing, budget coordination, and submission.
• Manage all aspects of grant compliance, including tracking deliverables and deadlines, coordinating reporting across departments, and maintaining funder relationships.
• Maintain a grants calendar and pipeline tracking system to ensure timely submissions and reporting.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with program officers and funders, representing 3
  
  CDC in funder conversations with clarity and credibility.
• Serve as 3
  
  CDC's organizational storyteller, developing and maintaining a cohesive narrative framework that articulates the mission, impact, and vision across its full portfolio.
• Translate complex financing structures, development activity, and community outcomes into clear, compelling language accessible to diverse audiences.
• Write and edit content across communications channels, including website copy, annual reports, impact briefs, presentations, donor materials, press releases, social media, and e‑newsletters.
• Partner with project teams, leadership, and external consultants to capture and communicate milestones, community impact, and organizational progress.
• Support board communications and executive presentations with polished, audience‑appropriate materials.
• Develop case studies, project profiles, and success narratives that can be adapted across grant applications and public‑facing communications.

Qualifications and/or

Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university in a related field preferred.
• Minimum 57 years of experience in grant writing, communications, or a related role, preferably in real estate development, community development, or public sector contexts.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across a range of formats and audiences; assessed through a writing sample and may include an exercise during hiring.
• Strong verbal communication and…