Communications & Development Officer

Communications and Development Officer

About The Second Step

Based in Newton, MA, The Second Step provides free, trauma-informed services for survivors of domestic violence throughout Greater Boston and beyond. We are dedicated to ending the cycle of abuse with our wraparound support, including safety planning, legal services, counseling, housing stabilization, support groups, and community education. These services help survivors heal and thrive while raising awareness to prevent abuse and build healthier communities.

Hours

Full-time (40 hours/week), Monday through Friday. The Communications and Development Officer is eligible to work a hybrid schedule. This is an exempt position. Work will be based out of The Second Step’s administrative office located in Newton, MA. Free parking is available onsite, and the office is within walking distance of public transportation.

Reports to

Associate Director of Development

Primary Objectives

The Communications and Development Officer is a key member of the Development Team responsible for implementing communications and donor engagement strategies that support The Second Step's fundraising, marketing, and community education goals. The position plays an important role in increasing awareness of The Second Step's mission while supporting fundraising efforts through effective communications, timely donor acknowledgment, and strategic prospect research.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communications and Development Officer is part of a collaborative and dedicated Development Team with a goal of raising $1.4 million annually from individual, corporate, and foundation partners. This role is responsible for creating digital and print communications content, maintaining consistent organizational messaging following The Second Step's Brand Standards Guide, supporting donor stewardship and prospect research, maintaining website content, and collaborating with staff to share The Second Step's impact through compelling stories and timely communications.

Communications & Content Management (60%)

• Collaborate with the Development Team and program staff to identify compelling stories, program updates, and opportunities to highlight The Second Step’s mission, services, and impact.
• Coordinate opportunities to capture photos and video that showcase The Second Step’s work and attend selected community events to gather content.

Social Media

• Implement and manage The Second Step’s social media strategy to increase awareness, engagement, and fundraising.
• Manage established platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
• Create and schedule platform-specific content (4–5 posts per week), including graphics, videos, stories, and captions.
• Monitor engagement and analytics, sharing insights and recommendations with the Development Team.

Email Marketing

• Use Constant Contact to create newsletters (approximately monthly).
• Coordinate with development team and program staff to gather stories, program updates, and organizational news.

Website

• Maintain current, engaging website content and implement updates as needed.
• Monitor website performance using Google Analytics and provide regular reports to the Development Team.
• Participate in training on SEO and emerging AI search best practices, recommending and implementing improvements to increase visibility.

Donor Stewardship, Data Management & Prospect Research (35%)

• Conduct donor and prospect research to assess philanthropic interests, affinity, and giving capacity.
• Update donor records in Salesforce, documenting research findings, interactions, and outcomes.
• Generate timely gift acknowledgment letters using Apsona document merge integrated with Salesforce and recommend personalized stewardship for key donors.
• Partner with Development Team members to develop donor-facing communications, including appeals, acknowledgments, and stewardship materials.
• Assist with donor follow-up communications related to special events and cultivation opportunities.

Other (5%)

• Collaborate with the Development Team to prioritize potential donors for engagement.
• Work closely with program staff to stay informed about the Second Step’s services and impact.
• Engage in professional development opportunities to stay current with trends and best practices in nonprofit communications and fundraising.
• Represent The Second Step at community events or networking opportunities to expand visibility and build new relationships.
• Other duties as determined with supervisor.

Qualifications: Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don't believe they meet every one of the qualifications listed in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background.

• 2+ years communications or marketing experience
• Strong writing and communication skills with the ability to adapt tone for different platforms
• Comfort with sensitive topics such as domestic violence, advocacy, and survivor stories
• Experience creating content for social media platforms.
• Experience using Canva or similar design tools.
• Experience with Constant Contact or similar email marketing platform.
• Familiarity with WordPress (or similar CMS), Google Analytics and SEO.
• Ability to manage time efficiently and meet required deadlines.
• Positive attitude, sense of humor, flexibility, and desire to work collaboratively.
• Candidates should exhibit a deep understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion and their role in contributing to a workplace that is welcoming to all.

Requirements

• A strong commitment to The Second Step's mission and values
• CORI (Criminal Offender Record Inquiry) check following the first interview
• Reliable car/transportation as role requires ability to travel to events and meetings. Mileage and parking costs are reimbursed per organizational policy

Physical Demands & Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee is required to operate a computer and telephone. Employee may be required to help move small items up to 25 lbs.

Compensation and Benefits

TSS offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Salary starts at $62,000; mid-year and end-of-year bonuses; generous PTO including 3 weeks vacation, 13 holidays, 2 floating personal days, ample sick time, bonus days off; agency contribution to health and dental insurance, 100% agency paid vision insurance; 403(b) plan with employer matching up to 3%, Flexible Spending Account, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), student loan repayment assistance, and professional development opportunities.

Equal opportunity: The Second Step actively seeks cultural and linguistic diversity in all its programs. The Second Step, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, free from discrimination. The Second Step does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information. We encourage individuals from historically marginalized communities to apply.