Help USA- Chief Development and Communications Officer

Ports North; New York (NY); On-site; USD 225,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

HELP USA is seeking a Chief Development and Communications Officer (CDCO) in New York City to lead fundraising, communications, marketing, and external engagement. You will partner with the CEO, the Board, and senior leaders to deepen philanthropic support and elevate the organization’s public profile.

The CDCO will build an integrated strategy, cultivate major donors and foundations, and oversee metrics, governance, and partnerships to advance HELP USA’s mission of ending homelessness and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership in development, advancement, communications, external affairs, marketing, or related functions.
• Proven success in leading comprehensive fundraising programs and donor cultivation.
• Strategic advisor to CEOs, executives, and boards on fundraising, brand, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience building integrated fundraising and communications strategies to grow revenue and visibility.
• Desirable experience in large, matrixed organizations and familiarity with the New York philanthropic landscape.

Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic advisor to CEO and leadership on fundraising, communications, advocacy, and external engagement.
• Develop and implement multi-year development and communications strategy aligned with priorities and growth.
• Represent HELP USA with donors, boards, public officials, corporate partners, media, and partners.
• Lead fundraising, partnerships, and campaigns, and establish metrics and tools to sustain revenue growth.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Communications leadership

Strategic advisory

Donor stewardship

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

The Organization

Since 1986, HELP USA has been a national leader in addressing homelessness and housing insecurity through housing, supportive services, and innovative community-based solutions. HELP USA serves individuals, families, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, young adults, and others facing significant barriers to stability. HELP USA operates more than 70 programs and residences, providing a comprehensive continuum of services that includes homelessness prevention, emergency and supportive housing, affordable housing development, workforce development, health and wellness programs, youth services, and other critical supports.

Our Story

Since 1986, HELP USA has been a national leader in addressing homelessness and housing insecurity through housing, supportive services, and innovative community-based solutions. HELP USA serves individuals, families, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, young adults, and others facing significant barriers to stability. HELP USA operates more than 70 programs and residences, providing a comprehensive continuum of services that includes homelessness prevention, emergency and supportive housing, affordable housing development, workforce development, health and wellness programs, youth services, and other critical supports. Recognized for service excellence and innovation, HELP USA works in partnership with government agencies, philanthropic organizations, corporate partners, and community stakeholders. By addressing both immediate needs and the root causes of housing instability, HELP USA transforms lives while strengthening communities. As homelessness, affordable housing shortages, and economic insecurity continue to impact communities across the nation, HELP USA remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that everyone has a place to call home.

Our Work

• Homelessness Prevention: Assisting individuals and families at risk of losing their housing through stabilization and relocation support.
• Transitional Shelter: Provides safe shelter and services for people experiencing homelessness with the goal of getting back into safe, stable, permanent housing as quickly as possible.
• Permanent Supportive Housing and non-residential programs: Combines long-term housing with services that promote personal growth, education, life skills, and self-sufficiency

Through its affiliate HELPDevCo, HELP USA also addresses the need to increase the supply of affordable housing through permanent housing development and property management operations.

The Opportunity

Position: Chief Development and Communications Officer. Location: New York City, NY. Reporting Relationship: President and Chief Executive Officer. Website: https://helpusa.org/

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

• 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in connection with the recruitment process for this position.