Engagement Director

Builds, sustains, and deepens the network of relationships that surround and strengthen Ellipsis—from neighbors and civic partners to elected officials, donors, and staff. This role designs experiences that cultivate belonging and understanding of our mission, manages high-impact volunteer and service initiatives, develops staff and community engagement strategies, supports internal culture-building, and amplifies the voice of the CEO across key platforms. The role also leads our legislative advocacy strategy and ensures Ellipsis remains a visible and respected voice in child welfare and youth services policy.

Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships (30%)

• Serve as a key ambassador of the organization to community partners, neighborhood stakeholders, donors, volunteers, and civic organizations.
• Represent the agency at community events, speaking engagements, and coalition meetings.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, business leaders, school systems, and educational institutions.
• Collaborate with the philanthropy and communications teams to create messaging and campaigns that deepen community understanding and support.
• Plan and lead campus tours for funders, city leaders, neighborhood associations, and stakeholders.
• Co-design volunteer service events and ongoing programs (e.g., donation drives, service career day visits) that build authentic relationships between the public and our programs.
• Establish and grow a mentorship-style volunteer program that connects caring adults or community members with youth or programs in appropriate ways.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising and stewardship events (including golf tournaments, internal organization celebrations, and donor and community awareness events), ensuring alignment with organizational goals, donor engagement strategies, and budget guidelines.

Internal Employee Engagement and Culture Building (30%)

• Partner with the CEO and Philanthropy/Comms to draft internal staff messages and share compelling stories of success, milestones, and mission alignment.
• Create meaningful communication rhythms (e.g., internal newsletters, town halls, shout-outs, and video spotlights) that reflect Ellipsis values.
• Partner with CEO, HR, and program directors to enhance employee engagement and retention through recognition, planning events and celebrations, establishing feedback loops, and mission-driven culture building.

Legislative Advocacy (30%)

• Monitor state and federal policy developments related to child welfare, foster care, behavioral health, and emergency services.
• Develop strong working relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, and policy partners.
• Organize advocacy days, legislative briefings, legislative tours and opportunities for staff and board engagement in public policy in collaboration with the CEO and other leaders.
• Equip staff, youth, and community supporters to elevate their voices through tools like action alerts, storytelling campaigns, and letter-writing efforts.
• Coordinate grassroots efforts for Ellipsis supporters to contact their respective legislators by providing prepared communications.

Additional Duties (10%)

• Participates in the creation of the philanthropic strategic plan and helps achieve the goals outlined in the plan
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) for engagement, volunteerism, and advocacy
• Assists in the development of the stewardship plan for the organization and acts in accordance with the plan
• Ethics
  • Promotes and upholds the ethical standards for the nonprofit’s philanthropic activities in adherence to the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Code of Ethics and Donor Bill of Rights.
• Other duties…