Strategic Public Affairs & Development Director

Hester Street; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Hester Street seeks a Director of Public Affairs & Development to lead the public affairs and development team, serving on the Senior Leadership Team as the organization scales its impact in New York City and nationwide.

With 6–10 years of experience, the role focuses on cultivating donors, foundations, and government partners, expanding media coverage, and shaping the public narrative around community-driven planning and development.

Qualifications

• At least seven years of development and/or communications experience.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Proven success securing institutional funding and planning campaigns.
• Media experience across online, print and social.
• Proactive, deadline-driven with ability to manage multiple projects.
• Experience managing staff and building teams.
• Experience with low-income communities and communities of color preferred.
• Graphic design skills with InDesign and Adobe Creative Suite a huge plus.
• Second language skills a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement a comprehensive fundraising/development plan and strategy.
• Cultivate existing and identify and secure new sources of funding.
• Oversee and contribute to the research, drafting, and submittal of grant proposals, RFPs, and relevant reports.
• Manage and track annual development priorities.
• Oversee the successful coordination of HST’s fundraising and external facing events throughout the year.
• Communicate Hester Street’s approach and project experiences with partners and the broader fields.
• Oversee the development of standard and innovative communication materials for print, web and social media.
• Create and manage the implementation of a comprehensive communications plan.
• Draft and/or approve content for internal and external communications.
• Serve on HST Senior Leadership Team; contribute to vision and strategy; liaise with Board; manage staff.

Skills

Development & communications

Excellent writing

Fundraising & grant writing

Media relations

Project management

Staff management

Language skills non-English

Graphic design

Adobe Creative Suite

Tools

InDesign

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Hester Street seeks a Director of Public Affairs & Development to lead the public affairs and development team, serving on the Senior Leadership Team as the organization scales its impact in New York City and nationwide.

With 6–10 years of experience, the role focuses on cultivating donors, foundations, and government partners, expanding media coverage, and shaping the public narrative around community-driven planning and development.