OVERVIEW

Brown Girls Doc Mafia (BGDM)’s mission is to nurture, amplify, and invest in the creative capacity and professional success of BIPOC women and nonbinary people working in the documentary industry.

THE ROLE

Brown Girls Doc Mafia (BGDM) is hiring a Development Communications Manager to support our fundraising, donor engagement, and storytelling efforts. This dynamic role sits at the intersection of fundraising, communications, administration, and events. It is ideal for someone who’s outgoing, creative, and just as comfortable writing compelling copy as they are managing donor data or coordinating a cultivation event.

Working closely with the Executive Directors and Development Director, the Development Communications Manager will help sustain and grow our impact by shaping donor messaging, contributing to campaign ideation, supporting sponsor and donor stewardship, tracking program impact, and maintaining accurate development records. You'll also liaise with publicists to ensure key messaging about BGDM is reflected in media coverage and manage our seasonal For Your Consideration (FYC) program, which generates revenue and visibility for our filmmakers through key partnerships.

This role is best suited for someone with 3–5 years of experience in development, communications, or nonprofit fundraising who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced, and mission-driven environment. Canva/some graphic design and CRM experience are strongly preferred, as is a passion for the arts, community-building, storytelling, and equity are essential.

Primary Responsibilities

Donor Communications & Messaging

• Draft, edit, and manage donor emails, impact reports, campaign copy, thank-you letters, and fundraising appeals
• Collaborate on BGDM storytelling strategies that center our programs, artists, and our community impact
• Create or coordinate design of fundraising collateral (Canva, Adobe, etc.)

Campaigns & Stewardship

• Support planning and execution of annual campaigns, donor spotlights, and targeted appeals
• Develop and maintain donor stewardship systems, including acknowledgment protocols and touchpoints
• Help plan donor events or cultivation opportunities

Database & Reporting

• Manage donor database (e.g. NeonCRM, Salesforce, or similar CRMs)
• Track giving, generate reports, and support gift entry and acknowledgements ● Coordinate with finance/admin to ensure accurate reporting and reconciliation

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Work with program staff to regularly gather impact data, testimonials, and photos ● Help prepare fundraising-related grant content or metrics as needed
• Collaborate with communications staff in calendar management, annual plans, audience engagement, and dissemination of outreach materials.

Press & External Messaging

• Maintain relationships with publicists and ensure key messaging about BGDM is represented accurately in press and media opportunities
• Draft or coordinate background materials, talking points, and press copy as needed

Earned Revenue & FYC Program Oversight

• Manage the planning and outreach for BGDM’s advertising, screening events, and For Your Consideration (FYC) program
• Track revenue from these initiatives and coordinate logistics and communications with partners and internal teams

BGDM Board and Capacity Council Support

• Provide administrative and strategic support to the Board of Directors as well as BGDMs Capacity Council preparing meeting materials, tracking follow-ups, and coordinating communications.
• Assist in scheduling, organizing, and documenting board and council meetings related to development and fundraising.
• Collaborate with Executive Directors and Development Director to align board engagement efforts with fundraising goals and organizational priorities.

Development Strategy, Grant Support, and Annual Planning

• Contribute to the creation, implementation, and monitoring of the organization’s annual development plan and fundraising goals.
• Support the preparation and submission of grant applications by gathering required data, coordinating with program staff, and drafting or reviewing narrative content. ● Assist in goal-setting processes by preparing progress reports and analyzing fundraising performance metrics.
• Participate in strategic planning sessions and bring creative ideas to strengthen donor cultivation, stewardship, campaigns, and grant prospects.
• Work cross-functionally with leadership and program teams to ensure development plans reflect organizational impact and community priorities.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• At least 3-5 years of experience in a non-profit development/fundraising department, ideally in a NYC-based arts organization, not mandatory
• Proven communicator in both oral and written communication, including networking, appeals, and the ability to have direct and open conversations
• CRM Competency and willingness to expand skillset. BGDM uses Neon CRM as our all-in-one platform.
• Innovative, creative, out of the box thinker who isn’t afraid to push boundaries of conventional fundraising approaches
• Ability to embrace the iterative process while managing deadlines
• Excellent planning and project management skills, and ability to take initiative, set and respond to priorities, and drive projects forward from conception to completion. ● Able to work collaboratively across departments to effectively implement development and communication goals and strategies
• Have a strong self-reflective practice, humility during miscommunication, and grace to relearn
• Organized with excellent attention to detail
• Strong creative and technical writing, editing, and proofreading skills

Bonus Skills and Experience

• Experience working in media arts
• Experience in the nonfiction film industry
• Experience in creating and/or editing promotional videos or social video content ● Experience using project management and database platforms such as Airtable, Asana, Google Business, or Notion

JOB DETAILS

• Location: NYC-based hybrid, some travel may be required (remote daily work with occasional in-person meetings, events)
• Full-time 32-40 hrs/week
• Start Date: Sept 15th, 2025
• Salary: $75-85K USD/year, and is commensurate with experience
• This role is a contract to hire, full-time (W2) employment position that comes with a comprehensive benefits package that includes three wellness weeks per year, unlimited PTO, QSEHRA reimbursement, employer sponsored 401K, and an annual remote work stipend, pending the successful completion of six-month contract period.
• This role reports to BGDM's Co-Executive Directors, and Development Director ● Open to US citizens, and individuals with current work authorization (at this time we are unable to provide visa sponsorship).
• At BGDM we celebrate diversity and champion equity and inclusive hiring practices, as such, we pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

How to Apply

Applications: Rolling

Interested applicants should submit the following:

• A brief cover letter
• Resume or CV
• Writing samples (fundraising campaign copy, stewardship materials, annual and impact reports)
• 2-3 references

Apply here.