Director of development and communications

Position Summary

The Director of Development and Communications is a key storyteller whose role is to build and steward authentic relationships and engage and solicit support from individual donors, foundations, and corporations. The Director of Development and Communication leads, collaborates, and engages with staff, board, and volunteers toward building and supporting a vibrant and sustainable fundraising culture. CLNY is seeking a highly organized, dynamic, and innovative leader who can clearly articulate compelling cases for support and develop effective fund development systems and strategies that ensure the growth and long-term sustainability of the organization. The ideal candidate will have a visionary and entrepreneurial approach to their work and be a creative, strategic, and critical thought partner to the founding Executive Director.

The Director will be a member of the senior management team and will join a team committed to enriching and improving the lives of youth who have aged out of the NYC foster care system.

City Living NY is entering an exciting phase of growth and visibility, and the Director of Development and Communications will play a pivotal role in maintaining and expanding the organization’s capacity. As a small organization, all members of the CLNY team share a collaborative, self-motivated approach and a commitment to the values and mission of City Living NY. The ideal candidate for this position is a proactive team player with outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities

Development

• Work with the Executive Director and Board to develop short- and long-term plans, goals and strategies to raise money to fund and grow the organizational budget
• Create and oversee all aspects of a comprehensive annual development plan that responds to organizational goals and priorities
• Drive the donor cultivation and solicitation strategy
• Develop, implement, and grow the annual giving program through direct mail, matching gifts, monthly giving, online giving, and other donor engagement activities
• Oversee the production and distribution of high-quality donor correspondence, including cultivation materials, direct mail, solicitation letters, emails, notes, and acknowledgment letters that foster donor relationships and enhance confidence in the organization
• Lead grant writing efforts by initiating and writing proposals. Monitor current grants and ensure that proposals and reports are submitted according to all requirements and deadlines
  
  

Communications

• Develop a unified voice for City Living NY across all digital communications
• Develop and implement strategic communication plans to enhance the organization’s image and reputation
• Develop and maintain a communications calendar that gives the CLNY team a quick view of cross-network communications and events, including social media, events, blog posts, newsletters, etc.
• Craft key written materials for the organization (e.g., Board reports, communications from the Executive Director, Annual Report, e-blasts, brochures, etc.) in collaboration with other staff
• Draft and manage execution of email marketing to external audiences
• Maintain organization website and manage and maintain data quality of contact lists
• Regularly report on data and suggest changes based on metrics; track online site analytics and prepare reports
• Work cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure that time-sensitive materials are developed, reviewed, and ready for public consumption on schedule
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Self-starter who thrives in a startup environment
• Deep appreciation for City Living’s mission
• Excellent project management, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and simultaneous deadlines
• Expertise in engaging donors through digital platforms
• Entrepreneurial nonprofit mindset and ability to develop and implement campaigns to raise CLNY’s visibility and engagement
• Proficiency in social media management and content creation
• Proven experience in development and/or communications roles
  
  

Apply

Please apply via idealist or submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. In your cover letter, describe your experience engaging a Board of Directors in individual and/or corporate giving strategies and highlight any related successes.