Director of Community Engagement

Job Description Salary:Director of Community EngagementOakwood Creative Care | Greater Phoenix AreaPosition SummaryThe Director of Community Engagement is a community-facing leadership role responsible for expanding Oakwood Creative Cares visibility, community relationships, volunteer engagement, and program participation. Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, this role leads strategy and execution across community outreach, marketing and communications, volunteer leadership, and event management.A core outcome of this position is to increase awareness of Oakwood Creative Cares programs with a direct impact on program enrollment, strengthen brand recognition, grow a high-quality volunteer base, grow and promote Oakwood Creative Cares Moments Matter Annual Gala, and position Oakwood Creative Care as a recognized leader in creative, relationship-centered care for older adults.Organizational MissionOakwood Creative Care enhances quality of life and sparks joy in older adults with cognitive and physical challenges through expressive arts, wellness, and supportive care. We are guided by creativity, joyful connection, coaching-style leadership, transparency, and continuous innovation.Key ResponsibilitiesCommunity Engagement & OutreachSet and lead Oakwood Creative Cares community engagement strategy to increase awareness, donations, participation, volunteer involvement, and program enrollment.Own the community engagement calendar, including tabling events, networking, speaking engagements, tours/open houses, partner activities, third-party events, and outreach events.Serve as a visible ambassador and relationship builder for Oakwood Creative Care across the region.Build and sustain relationships with local businesses, healthcare providers, civic groups, and community partners to expand referrals, volunteers, sponsorships, and enrollment.Grow and maintain referral pathways that directly support program enrollment goals.Marketing & Digital StrategyLead and execute integrated marketing efforts that support program enrollment, volunteer recruitment, event participation, fundraising visibility, and community awareness.Direct paid digital efforts, including social media advertising and Google Ads.Provide strategic oversight of website content including events, programs, donation pages, landing pages, and announcements in collaboration with internal partners and vendors.Social Media, Email & ContentSet direction for social media strategy and content calendars, ensuring consistent, mission-aligned messaging across platforms.Oversee content creation, posting, and performance tracking in partnership with the Donor Relations and Creative Communications Coordinator.Guide email and digital promotion strategy for events, volunteer recruitment, and campaigns, including messaging direction and timing.Identify and shape compelling impact stories, photos, quotes, and testimonials (with permissions) to support marketing, digital engagement, volunteer outreach, and events.Volunteer Leadership & ManagementProvide organizational leadership for Oakwood Creative Cares volunteer program.Lead volunteer recruitment strategy using community outreach, digital marketing, partnerships, and events.Oversee volunteer onboarding, training, placement, scheduling, and ongoing support in collaboration with program and operations staff.Ensure a high-quality volunteer experience that reflects Oakwood Creative Cares mission and values.Oversee volunteer data and reporting in coordination with the Communications & CRM Coordinator, including database accuracy, placements, hours tracking, and compliance.Lead volunteer recognition efforts, including appreciation initiatives, communications, and events.Ensure volunteer capacity aligns with program, outreach, and event needs.Event Leadership (All Community-Facing Events)Provide strategic and operational leadership for all community-facing events, including the annual gala, fundraisers, mixers, tours, open houses, and outreach events.Own event timelines, run-of-show planning, logistics oversight, volunteer and staff coordination, and event-day execution.Annual Gala: Serve as the lead project manager in close partnership with the Chief Philanthropy Officer.Oversee vendor coordination, registration and guest experience, auction/raffle logistics (as applicable), signage, materials, volunteers, and event-day flow.Budget ownership, contracting authority, and payments remain with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and/or operations.Ensure sponsor recognition and fulfillment logistics are executed accurately and professionally.Donor, Sponsor & Stakeholder EngagementEngage donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community stakeholders at events and outreach activities.Ensure consistent capture of community and event leads and warm handoffs to the Chief Philanthropy Officer for relationship management and solicitation.Support sponsor and partner engagement through events, recognition, and community visibility.Leadership, Coordination & ReportingOversee creation and use of outreach, marketing, and volunteer collateral, including flyers, one-pagers, signage, invitations, and basic digital assets.Prioritize and coordinate internal requests related to community engagement, volunteers, events, and outreach.Track and analyze community, digital, volunteer, and event data to inform strategy and continuous improvement.Collect and synthesize community and volunteer feedback to refine messaging and engagement approaches.Collaboration & Role ClarityDirector of Community Engagement owns: Community outreach strategy, volunteer program leadership, marketing and communications oversight, social media oversight, and event leadership.Donor Relations and Creative Communications Coordinator owns: CRM administration, automated communications, social media creation and posting, newsletters, donor reporting, and creative/content execution support.Chief Philanthropy Officer owns: Philanthropic strategy, donor and sponsor relationships, solicitation, budget authority, and final approval on messaging priorities.Required QualificationsBachelors degree in marketing, communications, nonprofit leadership, event management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).58 years of progressive experience in community engagement, marketing, volunteer leadership, or event management.Demonstrated leadership experience managing volunteers and complex, multi-stakeholder events.Strong strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution ability.Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.Comfort representing an organization publicly and building community relationships.Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities.Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends around events.Preferred QualificationsExperience leading gala-style or large community events.Volunteer program leadership experience.Media relations or earned media experience.Community partnership or healthcare referral experience.Familiarity with CRM, volunteer management systems, digital advertising, and marketing tools.Basic photo/video content skills.Presentation and public speaking skills.Working ConditionsThis position is office-based with frequent community engagement and site visits, based at OCC Headquarters. Requires regular computer use and interaction with older adults with cognitive and physical challenges. Occasional evenings and weekends are required for events.Equal Opportunity EmployerOakwood Creative Care is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs.