Development Communications Manager
Full Job Description
JOB TITLE: Development Communications Manager
REPORTS TO: Development Director
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
TYPICAL SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week
LOCATION: Remote, with a strong preference for candidates based on or connected
to the Rosebud Reservation and surrounding region.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Regular presence on Rosebud is required to build and maintain
relationships with staff, programs, and community to remain connected
to the work of the Siċaŋġu Co ecosystem. Frequency will vary based on
organizational priorities, events, and storytelling opportunities.
PAY RANGE: $56,000 - $70,000
JOB SUMMARY
Siċaŋġu Co is seeking a Development Communications Manager to implement communications strategy, narrative development, and external storytelling in support of fundraising, funder and donor engagement, partnerships, and visibility across the Siċaŋġu Co ecosystem.
This role sits within the Development team at REDCO and supports Development priorities across REDCO, Siċaŋġu CDC, and Tatanka Funds. The Development Communications Manager serves as the primary owner of Development-related communications, leading the development of annual reports, newsletters, funder and donor communications, press releases, thought-leadership content, campaign messaging, and other external-facing materials. The role also builds systems for identifying, gathering, and organizing stories, program accomplishments, impact information, and communications assets from across the ecosystem.
The Development Communications Manager works closely with the Development Director, Director of Grant Development, Individual Giving Manager, program leaders, and Central Services (Marketing). Development Communications owns Development's communications strategy, messaging, narrative, and content priorities, while partnering with Marketing for design, photography, videography, visual production, and other specialized marketing support.
Effective storytelling within Siċaŋġu Co requires more than strong communications skills—it requires a deep understanding of the community, relationships, culture, and context surrounding the work. The Development Communications Manager is expected to build and maintain meaningful relationships across the Rosebud Reservation and approach storytelling in a way that accurately and respectfully represents the experiences, strengths, and aspirations of the Siċaŋġu Oyate. Candidates with existing connections to the Rosebud Reservation and Siċaŋġu Lakota community are strongly encouraged to apply.
About Siċaŋġu Co
Siċaŋġu Co is an Indigenous ecosystem of interconnected organizations—including REDCO, Siċaŋġu Community Development Corporation, and Tatanka Funds—dedicated to creating a healthier, more prosperous future for the Siċaŋġu Lakota Oyate. Anchored in Lakota values and guided by the principles of self-sufficiency and community empowerment, Siċaŋġu Co operates as a collective effort to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the Rosebud Reservation.
Together, the ecosystem leverages shared resources, expertise, and partnerships to create impactful, lasting change.
Grounded in ancestral and cultural wisdom, and informed by a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the
community, Siċaŋġu Co is working toward Wicozani—“the good way of life”—for the Siċaŋġu Oyate, including holistic health, economic self-sufficiency, cultural revitalization, sustainable housing, food sovereignty, climate resilience, and shared prosperity.
Essential Functions:
Narrative & Communications Strategy
● Develop and manage an annual Development communications strategy and editorial calendar aligned withfundraising, funder stewardship, individual giving, and partnership priorities.
● Identify and shape stories that advance Development and organizational goals.
● Translate complex programmatic work into clear, compelling narratives for funders, donors, partners, media, and other external audiences.
● Ensure consistency of messaging, voice, and narrative across Development communications.
● Monitor the effectiveness of Development communications and use audience engagement, feedback, and performance data to continually strengthen communications strategy. Development Communications & Storytelling
● Lead development of the annual report, newsletters, impact stories, press releases, op-eds, briefs, presentations, and other Development communications.
● Develop funder- and donor-facing communications that support cultivation, stewardship, campaigns, and engagement.
● Interview staff, program leaders, community members, and other stakeholders to develop written stories and impact narratives.
● Build and maintain systems for gathering, organizing, and using stories, accomplishments, impact information, and communications assets across the ecosystem.
Media Relations & Thought Leadership
● Build and maintain relationships with journalists, publications, media outlets, and other external communications partners.
● Identify opportunities for organizational leaders and subject-matter experts to participate in speaking engagements, conferences, panels, interviews, op-eds, and other thought-leadership opportunities.
● Support leaders in developing talking points, presentations, articles, and other external-facing content.
● Coordinate media visits and external storytelling opportunities. Development Team Collaboration & Capacity Building
● Partner with the Development Director and Individual Giving Manager on communications supporting donor engagement, stewardship, and fundraising campaigns.
● Partner with the Director of Grant Development and Grant Development Specialists to identify stories, outcomes,and accomplishments that strengthen funder engagement and stewardship.
● Support staff and leadership preparation for funder meetings, donor conversations, site visits, speaking engagements, and other external opportunities.
● Develop tools, templates, and training that strengthen storytelling and external communications across the organization.
Collaboration with Marketing & Central Services
● Serve as Development's primary communications liaison with Marketing.
● Identify Development's visual content needs and develop clear briefs for photography, videography, design, and other communications assets.
● Coordinate with Marketing to ensure priority Development stories, events, campaigns, and publications have the visual assets needed.
● Partner with Marketing to ensure Development communications align with organizational brand standards and broader communications priorities.
● Provide strategic direction, messaging, and content priorities for Development communications while partnering with Marketing for visual production and execution.
Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
● 3-5 years of experience in communications, storytelling, journalism, fundraising communications, or a related field
● Exceptional writing and editing skills across multiple formats (press, narrative, social media, op-ed)
● Experience developing and managing communications strategies or campaigns
● Ability to translate complex work into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences
● Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects
● Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams
● Strong systems thinking and ability to create processes that support consistency and efficiency
● Proven ability to manage deadlines and maintain quality in a fast-paced environment
● Ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries and build productive partnerships
● Demonstrated connection to, experience with, or deep understanding of the Rosebud Reservation, with the ability to build trusted relationships and approach community storytelling with cultural awareness, respect, and accountability.
Preferred:
● Experience in nonprofit, philanthropy, or mission-driven organizations
● Existing relationships within the Rosebud Reservation and/or demonstrated experience working within the Siċaŋġu Lakota community strongly preferred.
● Familiarity with media relations and external communications strategy
● Experience developing communications that support fundraising, philanthropy, donor engagement, funder stewardship, or partnerships.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully
perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
● This is a remote position that requires regular in-person presence on the Rosebud Reservation for relationship-building, program engagement, and communications priorities.
● The frequency of on-site work will vary throughout the year based on program activities, organizational events, storytelling opportunities, and Development priorities.
● Additional travel may be required for funder engagement, conferences, organizational convenings, or other external opportunities.
● Must be comfortable working in both remote and in-person, community-based environments
● Ability to work effectively in a remote/home office environment
● Access to reliable internet and ability to participate in virtual meetings
● Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends as required for events, deadlines, or travel
Benefits:
● Health, vision, and dental insurance
● Life Insurance
● 401(k) matching
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Siċaŋġu Co is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve. We provide equal
employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Indian Preference
In accordance with applicable federal law, including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. § 5307) and other relevant regulations, Siċaŋġu Co applies an Indian Preference in employment. Qualified Native American
candidates will be given preference in hiring
Pay: $56,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Mission, SD 57555