Senior Manager, Community Engagement

About CWS

Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

Purpose

The National Community Engagement Senior Manager leads the development and implementation of a bold, integrated, national strategy for CWS's peer-to-peer events program, supporting hundreds of CROP Hunger Walks and expanding CWS’s congregational and community event fundraising efforts. Working closely with the Senior Director of Fundraising Strategy, the position will oversee the Community Engagement team responsible for generating and coordinating community support, organizing fundraising initiatives, and driving progress toward revenue goals.

This role carries responsibility for increasing revenue from one major funding stream: Events, while implementing strategies to leverage cross-selling opportunities between congregational and individual giving streams by cultivating key partnerships, equipping staff and volunteer networks, and advancing strategies that deepen engagement across constituencies. The position will collaborate with the Individual Giving, Congregations, Marketing and CRM teams to integrate fundraising strategies, enhance donor acquisition, and ensure systems and processes support effective, scalable growth.

Responsibilities

Leads, coaches, and equips the Community Engagement team to ensure effective execution of national community partnership and fundraising strategies. Oversees team performance, providing ongoing mentoring, training, and professional development. Partners with the Individual Giving Team and the Congregational Strategy Team to coordinate collaboration and cross-selling across fundraising streams. Responsible for hiring, onboarding, and conducting timely, constructive performance evaluations. Stays current on industry best practices and promotes their adoption across the team to strengthen impact and outcomes.

• Help create and implement a strategic development plan for peer‑to‑peer fundraising.
• Partner with Senior Director to design and execute strategies that leverage event programs as a pipeline for major gift development, including high-net-worth prospect identification, sponsor engagement, donor cultivation.
• Create and oversee a National Corporate Engagement Strategy for CROP Hunger Walks
• Manage relationships with outside consultants advancing national strategy for peer-to-peer fundraising.
• Manage the ideation and creation of external CROP Hunger Walk resources (print, email, downloads).
• Establish short‑ and long‑term priorities for peer‑to‑peer fundraising efforts.
• Provide primary supervisory leadership for Community Engagement Managers and Specialists.
• Work with Senior Director of Fundraising Strategy on team operations and oversight.
• Collaborate with Funds Development Leadership on multi‑stream fundraising strategy, especially with a focus on Major Donor prospecting for congregational and individual fundraising
• Provide operational leadership for implementation of new fundraising product launches.

• Participate in content review for communications.

• Interpret and promote CWS CROP Hunger Walk and Partnership opportunities during campaigns.

• Consult with community leaders to identify, recruit, and equip volunteers

• Collaborate on new-product development brainstorming sessions for fundraising events.

Qualifications

Required Skills/Abilities:

Demonstrated leadership and staff development experience, with strong team management skills.

Proven project management ability, including coordination across multiple priorities and deadlines.

Strong public speaking, writing, and persuasive communication skills. Demonstrated sound interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across diverse constituencies. Creative and strategic thinker with a track record of problem-solving and innovation. Self‑motivated, disciplined, and able to work independently in a remote environment. Effective team collaborator with flexibility to adapt to a dynamic environment. Experience and proficiency with CRM systems and data‑driven decision‑making. High attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines. Expertise with nonprofit peer‑to‑peer fundraising practices and principles.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree

Minimum 8-10 years of proven related work experience and five years of supervisory experience.

Experience working and/or volunteering in a multi-cultural, ecumenical or interfaith environment.

Previous experience managing volunteers is strongly preferred.

Benefits

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes: - 403 (b) Retirement Plan - Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years) - 14 Official Holidays - 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly) - Life Insurance and AD&D - Long Term and Short-Term Disability - Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Health Savings Account - Flexible Spending Accounts