Senior Director of Development & Communications

Description

Rooted in the Bronx, New Settlement stands with community members to break systemic barriers, advance justice, promote leadership and strengthen neighborhoods. By ensuring agency around education, employment, housing, wellness and creative expression, we help cultivate an equitable society where individuals and families have the power to use their voice to create the change they wish to see.

Since New Settlement’s inception in 1989 as a settlement house rooted in the Bronx, our organization has been a responsive community partner. Originally established to revitalize abandoned buildings into affordable housing, New Settlement has since evolved into a multi-generational, forward-looking organization. We support 15,000 members of the community annually by providing organizing in housing and schools, and programs in education, college access, youth development, arts, workforce development, wellness and more. EEO/AA

JOB SUMMARY: Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development & Communications will lead on developing and implementing organization-wide fundraising strategies and tactics, covering the areas of individual giving, special events, foundations, government funding, and development operations. The Director of Development & Communications will work closely with the Executive Leadership and Board members to build and implement a robust multi-tiered fundraising strategy to support the resource needs of New Settlement. This position will oversee creative strategies to engage individual and institutional donors, with a movement-building approach integrating all parts of New Settlement in our campaigns and resource development efforts.

Job Duties

Job Duties include but not limited to :

• Strategy Development & Leadership: Build upon New Settlement’s current fundraising strategies to develop, implement, and monitor a comprehensive and actionable multi-year development plan to establish and meet current annual revenue goals and prepare for expansion to $1 2 M-$1 5 M annually.
• Board Development: Work with New Settlement’s Executive Director, Vice President, and Board Chair to create a plan for growing and leveraging New Settlement’s Board of Directors. Serve as a key liaison to the Board, keeping them informed and engaged on several fronts including the cultivation of new donors and Board members; act as key point of contact for the Development Committee . Work with partners to identify and cultivate new Board members.
• Oversee the Fundraising Budget: A ctively manage revenue to ensure that annual operating budget objectives and plan goals are met; track multi-year revenue and fundraising trends; and use results to strategically plan future opportunities. Provide the Executive Director with regular status reports and coordinate funder relations. Work with the executive team to provide revenue projections and reports; support monthly and annual reconciliation processes and the annual audit and organizational reporting. Generate and present reports on fundraising for board meetings.
• Frontline Fundraising: Coordinate and support Executive Staff, Board Directors, and staff in fundraising efforts, specifically in the areas of:
• Individual Giving: Drive overall individual giving strategy and build an org-wide major gifts program by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of existing major donors, as well as identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospective major donors throughout the year.
• Institutional Funding: Oversee the Development Officer and Consultant Grant Writer s as they manage and expand our portfolio of foundation and corporate partners (e.g., developing and writing proposals, managing reporting on data and progress, ensuring active stewardship and ongoing communications, preparing for and conducting meetings and site visits).
• Special Events: Oversee the planning and execution of special events (e.g., program development, talent recruitment, committee management), including benefit events , house parties, and related activities.
• Corporate Giving: Build and steward relationships with corporate partners to secure cash and in-kind contributions.
• Communications: Lead print, web, and media-based communication strategy to raise New Settlement’s profile, network, and donor base.
• Development Operations: Ensure centralized operations of the department by developing and maintaining standard operating procedures for organization-wide fundraising efforts that are aligned with industry best practices and with New Settlement’s mission and fundraising philosophy. Maintain and continue to develop organizational fundraising plan. Oversee the administrative functions of the department (e.g., comprehensive gift management/CRM system, analysis, and reporting) to support quality decision-making and action.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Partner with other departments to maximize fundraising efforts and enhance work across the organization. Examples include:
• Liaise with program team and other departments to maintain up-to-date knowledge/understanding of program activities, outcomes, and needs.
• Collaborate with various program departments related to fundraising opportunities, such as city council funding applications and corporate partner engagements to raise funds, inventory, and awareness (e.g., cause-marketing).
• Work with consultant and Marino Public Relations Firm to create print and digital materials, tools, and campaigns to support fundraising efforts (e.g., event collateral, year-end appeal).
• Work with External Finance Team to develop the infrastructure and compliance systems for fundraising activities (e.g., grants management, restricted funding).
• Other duties or special projects as assigned by Associate Executive Director and Executive Director.
  

KEY DELIVERABLES AND OUTCOMES

• Meet fundraising targets as identified by Executive Leadership and Board of Directors
• Cultivate new institutional and individual donors based on annual targets, managing annual communications calendar
• Prospect stewardship and engagement plans
• Support effective Board fundraising plan
• Implement and maximize the use of Salesforce
• Partner with program staff to develop and maintain marketing collateral and annual report
• Produce high-quality f undraising/stewardship materials, proposals, and media
  

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• A passion for the mission, vision, and core values of New Settlement.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.
• Master’s Degree a Plus.
• 5-7 years relevant experience with proven success in fundraising leadership, skills, and capabilities; experience creating and managing a development team a plus.
• Demonstrated track record in independently managing a large portfolio of external relationships and building meaningful partnerships with key donors and stakeholders, ideally with progressive accomplishments in these areas.
• Superior interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills – with the ability to craft resonant , persuasive messaging and diligent follow up.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret impact data for effective donor communications.
• Demonstrable creative instincts in event planning and management.
• Ability to adjust course as needed and thrive in a nimble, fast paced, and flexible organizational culture.
• An exceptionally high level of integrity, discretion, accountability, and judgment, sense of humor is also helpful.
• Action-oriented, proactive, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to work.
• Familiarity with and relationships in New York City philanthropy and media a plus.
• Experience working with CRM databases (Salesforce preferred).
• Has a perspective on issues of equity, diversity and inclusion, particularly as it relates to management practices and our work.
• Must be cleared and maintain clearance throughout duration of employment by NYS DOH and DOE fingerprinting screening, NYS Central Registrar Background Check, 3 Reference checks, Staff Exclusion List (SEL), and must provide a physical examination with updated TB test.
  
  

Physical Demands And Work Environment

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

• The ability to sit, stand, walk and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone to talk and hear.
• The ability to frequently sit and reach with hands and arms.
• The ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
  
  

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Must be able to utilize office equipment such as desktop/notebook computers, copiers, printers, scanners, telephones, and calculators.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
  
  

Employment is at will and employees will undergo 45- and 90-day check-ins during their 90-day probationary period.

NOTICE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the environment and level of work being performed by this job. This job description in no way states or implies that the duties and responsibilities listed are the only tasks to be performed by the employee in this job. The employee will be required to follow other instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description supersedes prior job descriptions. When duties and responsibilities change and develop, the job description will be reviewed and subject to changes of business necessity.

New Settlement is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

This job description indicates the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of an employee. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of you as an employee. You may be asked to perform other duties as required.