Director of Mission Engagement

JOIN THE ECS4Kids TEAM

At ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children’s Services), we honor young children’s immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children’s well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills.

Partner with us to help empower communities to rise above generational poverty with comprehensive early childhood education and holistic family support. We have career opportunities available in several counties throughout Northeast and Central Florida. 

ECS4Kids offers a competitive benefit package which includes:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 403(b) plan with 5% employer match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term & short-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Generous paid time off
• Career development
• Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Director of Mission Engagement leads fundraising events, sponsorship development, and donor engagement for ECS4Kids. This role is responsible for planning and executing fundraising and community engagement events, while cultivating and stewarding donors year-round.

This leader plays a central role in helping people fall in love with ECS4Kids by creating meaningful experiences, telling our story with heart and clarity, and connecting supporters to the impact of our mission.

The ideal candidate blends strong event production experience with a development skillset that includes sponsor outreach, donor stewardship, CRM management, and a disciplined revenue focus.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising Events & Experiences

• Produce annual signature events, as well as smaller events as needed, from concept to execution: budgeting, timelines, vendor sourcing and negotiation, decor, scripts, technical production, and onsite management
• Develop run-of-show materials, manage rehearsals, and ensure exceptional guest experience.
• Lead registration, check-in, seating, accessibility, and overall event flow.
• Ensure events reflect ECS4Kids’ brand, values, and mission impact.
• Scale the signature event to different market sizes to reach more of the ECS4Kids service area beyond Jacksonville.

Sponsorship & Donor Development

• Build and manage a sponsorship pipeline, including outreach, cultivation, proposals, and benefit fulfillment.
• Convert event attendees and sponsors into year-round relationships and increased giving.
• Draft personalized acknowledgements, impact summaries, and donor stewardship materials.
• Collaborate with Resource Development to integrate event donors into broader cultivation and retention strategies.

Communications & Marketing Integration

• Partner with Strategic Communications to develop event marketing (email, social, digital) and event collateral (save-the-dates, invitations, signage, programs).
• Ensure consistent messaging and mission alignment across all event and development materials.
• Help shape storytelling that deepens emotional connection to ECS4Kids.

Data, Finance & Reporting

• Maintain accurate donor and event data in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Run reports, track KPIs (acquisition, retention, revenue), and provide weekly dashboards.
• Collaborate with Finance on reconciliation, deposits, expense reports, and event budgets.

Volunteers, Committees & Vendors

• Support event committees with agendas, materials, and follow-up.
• Recruit, train, and supervise event volunteers.
• Manage relationships with event vendors, ensuring quality and cost efficiency.

These job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of duties. Employees will be required to perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years producing nonprofit fundraising events (300–500+ guest gala) and multi-session forums/summits, including auctions and sponsorship fulfillment.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

• Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar CRMs, event registration platforms, and Microsoft Of??ice (Excel expertise required).
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse community segments, volunteers, groups, individuals, and professionals.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with leadership.
• Upholding high ethical standards, maintaining confidentiality, and exercising sound judgment.

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Certificates of acknowledgement: Conflict of Interest, Code of Ethics, Confidentiality, IT Security, Anti-Fraud, HR Employee Acknowledgement Form.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Works inside an of??ice environment (hybrid remote)
• Occasional travel and evening and/or weekend work may be required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Primarily computer-based work requiring ergonomic workspace setup, periodic stretching, and attention to wellness.
• Normal range of hearing and vision
• Ability to lift 20 pounds.

Reasonable accommodation will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.