Chief Development and Communications Officer

Socket.dev; New York (NY); On-site; USD 225,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

HELP USA is seeking a Chief Development and Communications Officer to lead fundraising, communications, and external engagement. You will partner with the CEO, board and senior leaders to expand revenue, strengthen donor relationships, and elevate the organization's public profile.

The role combines strategy, fundraising execution, and thought leadership to advance HELP USA’s mission of ending homelessness. You will oversee a team and drive impact through strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in development, advancement, communications or related functions.
• Experience leading comprehensive fundraising programs and securing major gifts.
• Ability to advise CEOs and boards on fundraising, communications and growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a multi-year development and communications strategy.
• Represent HELP USA with donors, officials, media and partners.
• Lead fundraising, communications, partnerships, and external engagement.
• Measure fundraising ROI and donor engagement; build dashboards.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising strategy

Stakeholder engagement

External affairs

Executive advisory

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Advanced degree in nonprofit management or business

Job description

Organization: HELP USA | 115 E. 13th Street, New York, NY 10003

Purpose of the Position

Reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer and serving as a member of the executive leadership team, the Chief Development and Communications Officer (CDCO) will lead HELP USA’s comprehensive fundraising, communications, marketing, and external engagement efforts. The CDCO will partner closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team to strengthen philanthropic support, elevate the organization’s public profile, and advance HELP USA’s mission of ending homelessness and housing insecurity. The CDCO will develop and execute an integrated strategy that aligns fundraising, communications, brand management, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and thought leadership. The successful candidate will build strong relationships with donors, foundations, corporate partners, policymakers, community leaders, and other stakeholders while serving as a leading external ambassador for the organization. This is a unique opportunity for a strategic and entrepreneurial executive to build upon HELP USA’s strong reputation and drive its next phase of growth. The CDCO will focus on expanding and diversifying revenue, strengthening donor and stakeholder engagement, amplifying the organization’s impact story, and positioning HELP USA as a leading voice in housing, homelessness prevention, and supportive services. Success in the role will be measured by increased philanthropic investment, greater organizational visibility, stronger community partnerships, and greater impact on individuals and families in need.

Key Responsibilities

• Organizational Strategy and Executive Leadership
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team on fundraising, communications, advocacy, and external engagement.
• Develop and implement a multi-year development and communications strategy aligned with organizational priorities and growth objectives.
• Represent HELP USA with donors, board members, public officials, corporate leaders, media, and community partners.
• Advance organizational visibility, reputation, and long-term sustainability.
• Philanthropy, Partnerships, and Resource Development
• Lead all aspects of private fundraising, including major gifts, foundations, corporate partnerships, events, planned giving, and campaigns.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and strategic funding partners.
• Partner with the CEO and Board to secure transformational philanthropic investments.
• Establish fundraising metrics, forecasting tools, and systems that support sustained revenue growth and donor engagement.
• Monitor fundraising performance, evaluate return on investment, and identify opportunities to strengthen donor acquisition, retention, and engagement.
• Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs
• Oversee integrated communications, marketing, media relations, digital engagement, executive communications, and brand strategy.
• Ensure compelling and consistent storytelling that highlights HELP USA’s impact and expertise.
• Strengthen organizational visibility through strategic communications and thought leadership initiatives.
• Measure and evaluate communications effectiveness through engagement, media coverage, and fundraising outcomes
• Board Engagement and External Relations
• Support Board engagement and philanthropic development efforts; and equip Board and executive leaders with relationship-management tools, talking points, and donor strategies.
• Support relationships with policymakers, funders, coalition partners, and community stakeholders.
• Advance advocacy efforts and elevate HELP USA’s voice on housing stability, homelessness prevention, and community development in partnership with the CEO and other senior leaders.
• Events, Campaigns and Community Engagement
• Provide strategic oversight of fundraising, cultivation, and public-awareness events.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing development and communications team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee budgets, technology platforms, operational systems, and infrastructure that support scalable growth and mission impact.

The Candidate

The successful Chief Development and Communications Officer will be an accomplished executive with a proven ability to lead integrated fundraising, communications, marketing, and external affairs functions within complex, mission-driven organizations. Serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the CDCO will partner closely with the President and CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leaders to advance HELP USA’s mission, strengthen philanthropic support, enhance organizational visibility, and align revenue generation, and stakeholder engagement around a shared strategic vision. The ideal candidate will combine the mindset of an enterprise leader with the relationship-building skills of a sophisticated fundraiser and the communications expertise necessary to elevate HELP USA’s influence and impact.

The successful candidate will be a strategic and collaborative leader who excels at translating complex social challenges into compelling narratives, partnerships, and investment opportunities. They will bring experience cultivating major donors, foundations, corporations, and community partners, while also advising leadership on public positioning, managing high-performing teams, and representing the organization across philanthropic, governmental, civic, and media communities. Most importantly, they will possess a deep commitment to HELP USA’s mission and a belief in the transformative power of housing, supportive services, and community-based solutions to create lasting change.

Experience and Professional Qualifications

Candidates should bring many of the following experiences, competencies, and leadership characteristics:

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in development, advancement, communications, external affairs, public affairs, marketing, or related functions within a nonprofit, housing, healthcare, higher education, public-sector, or similarly complex mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated success leading comprehensive fundraising programs, including major gifts, individual giving, foundation relations, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, campaigns, planned giving, and special events, with a track record of securing significant philanthropic investments.
• Proven ability to serve as a strategic advisor to CEOs, executive leadership teams, and boards on fundraising, communications, brand management, stakeholder engagement, and organizational growth.
• Experience developing integrated fundraising and communications strategies that strengthen revenue generation, enhance organizational visibility, and advance mission impact.
• Significant expertise in communications and external affairs, including media relations, executive communications, marketing, digital engagement, and thought leadership initiatives.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage donors, foundations, corporations, government leaders, community partners, and other key constituencies.
• Success leading and developing high-performing teams, managing budgets and performance metrics, and building a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional communication and executive presence, with the ability to represent an organization effectively across philanthropic, corporate, civic, governmental, and media environments.
• Experience within large, matrixed organizations and familiarity with the New York philanthropic and nonprofit landscape are highly desirable.

Key Relationships

The Chief Development and Communications Officer will serve as a member of HELP USA’s executive leadership team, partnering closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Program Development Officer, General Counsel, and Chief of Staff to advance the organization’s strategic priorities and mission. In this role, the CDCO will collaborate across the executive team to align fundraising, communications, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement efforts while contributing to organizational growth, visibility, and long-term sustainability.

The CDCO will lead and develop a team of four full-time staff and additional consultants and professionals. This individual will work closely with the Board of Directors, particularly the Board’s Fundraising Committee, to strengthen philanthropic support, expand community engagement, and advance HELP USA’s impact. Through these partnerships, the CDCO will help build the relationships, resources, and public support necessary to further the organization’s mission of addressing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Education

A bachelor’s degree is preferred, with an advanced degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, marketing, public policy, social work, or a related field considered advantageous. However, HELP USA recognizes that exceptional leadership experience can be gained through a variety of professional pathways and will consider candidates with a combination of relevant education, executive leadership experience, and demonstrated success in fundraising, communications, external affairs, or organizational leadership. Professional certifications such as Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and other relevant continuing education credentials are welcomed but not required.

Compensation

HELP USA offers a base compensation of approximately $225,000 - $250,000.

Actual compensation will not be less than the applicable minimum wage, prevailing wage, or exempt salary requirements under federal, state and local laws.

Who We Are

At HELP USA, we work to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We’re one of the nation’s largest non-profit homeless services providers and low-income housing developers serving at-risk populations, including families, individuals, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, people with physical and mental health challenges and disabilities, and seniors. With an annual operating budget approaching $150 million and 1400 employees working in nearly 60 programs, we have helped over 500,000 people facing homelessness and poverty to build better lives. We hope that you will consider joining our team in the fight against homelessness.

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