New York City Outward Bound Schools
Director of Development
New York City Outward Bound Schools, Long Island City, New York, United States, 11101
Director of Development
Salary: $95,000 - $120,000
ABOUT NYC OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOLS
Why can’t school be more like an Outward Bound course? NYC Outward Bound Schools believes students thrive when they engage with the world beyond their classrooms, embarking on joyful, experiential learning that prepares them for community, college, and career. Partnering with the NYC public school system, we serve over 28,000 students in nearly 80 schools across the five boroughs. Our work combines outdoor adventure with classroom-based support, empowering students to develop academic, emotional, and social skills that help them persist through challenges and lead fulfilling lives.
Role Summary:
The Director of Development will lead and build NYC Outward Bound Schools’ fundraising and communications strategy, ensuring long-term sustainability and future growth. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this role will manage all aspects of development operations, including donor engagement, fundraising campaigns, and events. The Director will oversee a small, talented team, provide strategic guidance, and collaborate across the organization, including working closely with the Board of Directors. The Director of Development will be joining the team at an exciting time of growth, as the organization is currently investing in building its fundraising capacity, infrastructure, and team, with the goal to raise $3M a year in individual and institutional fundraising. The ideal candidate will have a passion for supporting the youth of NYC, and be energized by continuous improvement and cross-team collaboration.
Essential Functions:
Development Strategy and Operations Create and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals. Develop operational systems, policies, and tools to support efficient fundraising efforts. Collaborate with finance to manage revenue forecasting, reporting, and budget planning. Track and analyze fundraising performance and make data-driven recommendations for improvement. Oversee CRM/database management, ensuring accurate donor records and reporting, with the support of the Advancement Coordinator. Donor Management and Cultivation
Build, manage, and cultivate relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporations. Develop and maintain donor portfolios, including major gift and grant prospects. Lead efforts to identify new funding opportunities and expand the donor pipeline. Engage board members in donor cultivation efforts and fundraising activities. Steward existing donors with personalized touchpoints and effective follow-up. Donor Communications and Events
Partner with the Director of Communications and Content to develop and execute multi-channel donor engagement strategies, including email campaigns, newsletters, and annual reports. Coordinate donor-facing events, including the annual gala and other fundraising events. Prepare compelling grant proposals and funder reports to demonstrate impact. Work closely with the Director of Communications and Content to align messaging with fundraising goals. Draft and present donor communications, presentations, and case statements for support. Leadership and Team Management
Recruit, hire, and supervise development staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team. Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to direct reports. Promote cross-departmental collaboration and alignment around fundraising priorities. Partner with the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership to advance fundraising initiatives. Model the organization’s core values and promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles. Minimum Qualifications: At least five years of development experience in a non-profit, with at least three years in a leadership role. Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals. Demonstrated ability to manage, motivate, and develop a high-performing team. Experience with major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and grant management. Skilled at working across teams and with Board members to achieve common goals. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including experience in public speaking and presentation. Proficient in data-driven planning and reporting, with experience managing CRMs and tracking key performance indicators. Ability to originate and implement creative fundraising strategies. Ability to build trust, work collegially, and achieve influence across a wide range of diverse stakeholders. Capacity to balance competing priorities with ease and work independently. Strong alignment with NYC Outward Bound Schools' mission to advance equity for BIPOC youth and foster inclusion across all aspects of the organization. Dedication to our core values of community, courage, equity, integrity, and learning throughout all aspects of their work. Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage Commuter and benefits (HRA/FSA/Transit accounts) Life insurance 403(b) with employer match after one year Generous PTO Hybrid work policy Location: Hybrid position: Enjoy flexibility with a combination of multiple in-person workdays at the Long Island City (Queens) office and the option for multiple remote work days each week. Studies have shown that certain populations, including women and people of color, are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. We may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role. NYC Outward Bound Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable state or federal law.
Development Strategy and Operations Create and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals. Develop operational systems, policies, and tools to support efficient fundraising efforts. Collaborate with finance to manage revenue forecasting, reporting, and budget planning. Track and analyze fundraising performance and make data-driven recommendations for improvement. Oversee CRM/database management, ensuring accurate donor records and reporting, with the support of the Advancement Coordinator. Donor Management and Cultivation
Build, manage, and cultivate relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporations. Develop and maintain donor portfolios, including major gift and grant prospects. Lead efforts to identify new funding opportunities and expand the donor pipeline. Engage board members in donor cultivation efforts and fundraising activities. Steward existing donors with personalized touchpoints and effective follow-up. Donor Communications and Events
Partner with the Director of Communications and Content to develop and execute multi-channel donor engagement strategies, including email campaigns, newsletters, and annual reports. Coordinate donor-facing events, including the annual gala and other fundraising events. Prepare compelling grant proposals and funder reports to demonstrate impact. Work closely with the Director of Communications and Content to align messaging with fundraising goals. Draft and present donor communications, presentations, and case statements for support. Leadership and Team Management
Recruit, hire, and supervise development staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team. Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to direct reports. Promote cross-departmental collaboration and alignment around fundraising priorities. Partner with the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership to advance fundraising initiatives. Model the organization’s core values and promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles. Minimum Qualifications: At least five years of development experience in a non-profit, with at least three years in a leadership role. Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals. Demonstrated ability to manage, motivate, and develop a high-performing team. Experience with major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and grant management. Skilled at working across teams and with Board members to achieve common goals. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including experience in public speaking and presentation. Proficient in data-driven planning and reporting, with experience managing CRMs and tracking key performance indicators. Ability to originate and implement creative fundraising strategies. Ability to build trust, work collegially, and achieve influence across a wide range of diverse stakeholders. Capacity to balance competing priorities with ease and work independently. Strong alignment with NYC Outward Bound Schools' mission to advance equity for BIPOC youth and foster inclusion across all aspects of the organization. Dedication to our core values of community, courage, equity, integrity, and learning throughout all aspects of their work. Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage Commuter and benefits (HRA/FSA/Transit accounts) Life insurance 403(b) with employer match after one year Generous PTO Hybrid work policy Location: Hybrid position: Enjoy flexibility with a combination of multiple in-person workdays at the Long Island City (Queens) office and the option for multiple remote work days each week. Studies have shown that certain populations, including women and people of color, are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. We may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role. NYC Outward Bound Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable state or federal law.