Director of Development

Association of Fundraising Professionals - NYC Chapter; New York (NY); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Association of Fundraising Professionals - NYC Chapter seeks a Director of Development to lead strategic fundraising initiatives focused on major gifts, donor stewardship, and engagement with a diverse donor base. The role includes coordinating with executive leadership, boards, and volunteers to advance fundraising priorities.

The Director will manage a robust donor portfolio, cultivate five- and six-figure gifts, and oversee events and bequests while collaborating across teams to expand

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; CFRE a plus.
• 5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience with demonstrated success in major gifts fundraising.
• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Experience working with volunteer leaders, boards of directors, and fundraising committees.
• Experience planning and managing major fundraising events.
• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles and donor stewardship best practices.
• Strong strategic thinking, relationship-building, and project management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with donor database/CRM systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend events.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic fundraising plans for major gift prospects and donors aligned with organizational priorities.
• Design and execute strategies to engage donors from diverse backgrounds, expanding the donor base.
• Lead multi-year efforts to grow the annual giving program.
• Oversee donor recognition, stewardship activities, and leadership giving programs.
• Provide strategic leadership for major fundraising and donor engagement events.
• Collaborate with boards, volunteers, and donors to optimize fundraising results.
• Support board development activities and fundraising participation.
• Assist in managing bequests, trusts, and non-cash gifts.
• Draft fundraising communications and collateral materials.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Board engagement

Donor stewardship

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFRE (preferred)

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our client has an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic and results-oriented development professional to join a well-established human services organization with a strong reputation, an engaged donor community, and ambitious growth goals. The Director of Development will have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, lead high-impact fundraising initiatives aimed at helping older adults including Holocaust survivors, and help shape the next chapter of the organization's philanthropic success.

Position Summary

The Director of Development is a key member of the organization's fundraising team and is responsible for developing, implementing, and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that advance the organization's mission and strategic priorities. The Director will focus on the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors and prospects while managing a robust portfolio of individual donors, family foundations, and planned giving prospects.

This position also plays a leadership role in the planning and execution of the organization's signature fundraising and donor engagement events. The Director serves as a strategic partner to executive leadership, board members, and volunteers in building philanthropic support and expanding the organization's community of donors.

Essential Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategic fundraising plans for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects and donors in support of organizational priorities.
Design and execute innovative strategies to engage donors from diverse communities and backgrounds, broadening the organization's donor base and strengthening philanthropic support.
Execute, in partnership with fundraising leadership, a multi-year strategy to expand and strengthen the organization's annual giving program.
Build upon donor engagement initiatives, including leadership giving programs, targeted solicitation efforts, donor recognition opportunities, and stewardship activities.
Provide strategic and operational leadership for the organization's major fundraising and donor engagement events.
Work closely with governing boards, volunteer leadership groups, and emerging philanthropic leaders to optimize fundraising results.
Assist in board development activities, including identifying and engaging prospective board members, supporting committee work, and advancing fundraising participation among board members.
Assist in the management and stewardship of charitable bequests, trusts, gifts of securities, and other non-cash assets.
Assist in the preparation of fundraising communications and collateral materials, including proposals, newsletters, annual reports, donor correspondence, acknowledgment letters, and stewardship materials.
Represent the organization at community, donor, and professional events.
Maintain awareness of fundraising trends, best practices, and philanthropic opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Salary

Annual salary between $115,000 and $135,000

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree and/or CFRE a plus.
Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive fundraising experience with demonstrated success in major gifts fundraising.
Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing five- and six-figure gifts.
Experience working with volunteer leaders, boards of directors, and fundraising committees.
Experience planning and managing major fundraising events.
Knowledge of planned giving vehicles and donor stewardship best practices.
Strong strategic thinking, relationship-building, and project management skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Proficiency with donor database/CRM systems and Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Availability for occasional evening and weekend events.