Careers for the Common Good:
Typical Job Roles in a Nonprofit

Executive Director, Managing Director, Administrator, President, or Dean
Generally the highest position in a nonprofit, this person reports to the Board of Directors and is in charge of daily operations of the organization. Responsibilities include managing the staff and overseeing public relations, fundraising, and the delivery of services. Executive Directors need to be public speakers, problem-solvers, and leaders, and have a passion for and commitment to their work.

Fundraising/Development
A function unique to nonprofits, the main purpose of a development office is to raise money to support the organization's goals, programs, and salaries. Most nonprofits depend on several kinds of income, including fees for service, membership dues, endowment earnings, profits generated by private contracts, and fundraising from individual, foundation, and corporate donors.

Many different activities are required to raise money, including major donor cultivation, special events, grant writing, capital and annual campaigns, and planned giving. Fundraising/development is the biggest growth area for nonprofits today, because of the increase in both the need for service and competition for funding.

Public Relations and Community Outreach
Nonprofits need to frequently communicate with their internal constituencies (staff, boards, committees, volunteers) and external constituencies (members, audiences, clients, donors, and media people.) Various messages must be communicated, from the mission and vision, to publicity about a special event.

The PR department is responsible for raising community awareness of the programs and services available, and for keeping the organization in the public eye. This involves developing contacts with the media and working with them to attract attention to and promote the organization.

Publications
From magazines and brochures to community newsletters and annual reports, most nonprofits produce written materials to inform, educate, and “sell” their services. People in this department gather information, write, edit, layout, solicit advertising for, and circulate publications.

Membership
Not all nonprofits have members (such as hospitals and social service agencies) but many could not exist without them (such as the Sierra Club or the YMCA). Members are the recipients of services and communications, the providers of funds, and a source of potential volunteers to carry out the mission of the organization. The job here is to solicit new members, keep current members, and service all members. This involves marketing, exhibits at trade shows, outreach to other nonprofit organizations or special groups, and on-air drives.

Program/Service Providers
Every nonprofit has a cadre of direct service personnel who provide their unique service to their client population. From attorney to teacher, physical therapist, social worker, and construction supervisor these are the employees who in the public’s eye fulfill the mission of the organization.

Research
Many nonprofits hire individuals to research and write reports regarding issues relevant to the mission of the organization. Research can be directed towards public policy issues, technical subjects, needs assessment, or “best practices” and may be qualitative or quantitative. Strong research and writing skills are needed in this area.

Government Affairs
This department actively promotes an organization’s interests before Congress and other government agencies. Public policy agendas often overlap with or may include the research function.

Administration
Administrative roles include human resources, accounting, finance, information technology, property management and maintenance, and clerical functions. Individuals in administration often have mobility to quickly move into positions of increasing responsibility within the organization.