POSITION: Director of Development

REPORTS TO: Executive Director-Westchester

LOCATION: Hartsdale, NY

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

WEBSITE: www.nycommunitytrust.org

START DATE: September 2024

 ABOUT US

The New York Community Trust (“The Trust”) is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the country. For the past century, The Trust has honored the wishes of donors who have entrusted them with their financial legacies to make lives better in the place they love. The Trust is a philanthropic leader in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, delivering nearly $200 million in grants in 2023 and more than $2 billion in the past decade. Today, in addition to a distinguished competitive grantmaking program, The Trust hosts donor-advised funds (“DAFs”) that make grants throughout the United States and donor collaboratives that work on the leading edge of philanthropy to improve the lives of New Yorkers. The Trust has long been a leader in the field, with innovations ranging from establishing the first donor-advised fund in the 1930s to making landmark grants, including the first to fight AIDS, build the High Line, support immigrant communities, and respond quickly in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Westchester division develops, manages, and distributes philanthropic funds in a way that is highly responsive to community needs and donor interests. The Trust established the Westchester division in 1975 to provide Westchester donors with a locally focused philanthropic vehicle. Today, the Westchester division has more than 200 charitable funds including donor-advised and permanent funds, and connects donors to The Trust’s grantmaking expertise in Westchester, Long Island, and New York City

Position Description

The Director of Development will be responsible for development, donor relations, communications and donor and key stakeholder engagement. This new position will support the Executive Director in existing and new outreach initiatives to build new philanthropic relationships between the Westchester division and individuals, corporations, and the professional advisor community.

The Director of Development will work closely with the Executive Director to implement the effective identification, cultivation and stewardship of donors and prospects. They will partner with the development and donor relations teams at The Trust on donor stewardship and lead generation and to advance the organization’s development strategy. They also will proactively connect with existing donors and prospects to extend the reach and awareness of The Trust and ensure donor satisfaction with the highest level of customer service.

Working closely with the communications team at The Trust, the Director of Development will contribute to the communications and media relations plan that increases the brand and the awareness of the added value of giving through The Trust, ensuring that the Westchester division communicates effectively with donors, potential donors, key stakeholders, and professional advisors. 

The Director of Development will join a team of five, including the Executive Director, two program officers, and a Grants Management Associate. They also will work closely with the communications, development and donor relations colleagues at The Trust’s New York City and Long Island divisions.  An Advisory Board, which includes professional advisors and community representatives, guides the Westchester division’s direction and assists in its growth. 

The ideal candidate will have experience in development, donor relations, and engagement. They must be comfortable working in a small team and executing multiple functions. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Manage execution in Westchester of The Trust’s development strategy focused on building the Trust’s portfolio of permanent, donor-advised, and other funds.
• Customize The Trust’s development strategy for the Westchester community for maximum efficacy in the County.
• Respond to inquiries from prospective donors, effectively articulating the Westchester division’s offerings and converting cold prospects into warm leads.
• Partner with the Executive Director, the Development Committee of the Advisory Board, and Trust development staff to develop, implement, and manage a portfolio of prospects in all aspects of the giving cycle, including initiation of contacts with potential major and legacy gift donors and development of appropriate cultivation strategies.
• Implement a strategy to expand The Trust’s network of professional advisors, including attorneys, tax planners and wealth experts to facilitate their clients’ charitable goals utilizing the Trust’s services and offerings.
• Identify and promote best practices for donor stewardship and engagement, especially working with individuals, corporations, multi-generation family donors, and giving circles.
• Ensure meticulous documentation in the Trust’s system and CRM of prospect and donor engagement in adherence with standard organizational practices.
• Plan, manage and arrange meetings and events that advance donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Craft proposals for new donor relationships when necessary.
• Seek new opportunities to promote The Trust to prospective donors or professional advisors, including arranging and/or presenting at speaking engagements.
• Identify opportunities to highlight and engage Westchester donors and professional advisors in Trust-wide communication materials.
• Serve as the Westchester representative on Trust-wide events including compiling invitee lists of donors and prospects, identifying potential speakers, and attending when necessary to engage with donors and prospects.
• Participate in the creation of Trust-wide donor-facing marketing materials.
• Advance an internal culture of exceptional service to Trust constituents, including donors, prospects, advisors, and grantees.
• Liaise with The Trust on communications, including website updates, newsletters, Annual Reports, informational brochures, marketing materials, and social media.
• Oversee media relations for local Westchester press, including drafting press releases for grants, events, and other activities.

Requirements

The Trust supports skills-based hiring and will review several aspects of an application including work experience (volunteer, project-based, part/full-time employment, etc.), skill proficiencies, education (courses, certifications, college degrees, etc.) and involvement in professional & industry organizations.

• A minimum of seven years of professional experience in development with progressive responsibility. Prior experience in frontline development, donor relations, and/or stewardship required. Planned giving experience preferred.
• Strong donor-relations and/or customer relations skills, providing prompt, professional responses to all prospect inquiries.
• Ability to effectively educate and inform prospective and existing donors about appropriate giving vehicles.
• Experience working with professional advisors helping them with their clients’ charitable and estate planning goals.
• Availability to travel for donor meetings and events throughout Westchester County and the New York City region and donor-related conferences within the US. The candidate must have their own transportation and valid driver’s license and be open to working evening hours and weekends for events. Estimated travel requirement is 20-25%.
• Proficiency with Salesforce or similar CRM.
• Experience or familiarity community foundations and/or philanthropic advising is preferred.
• Certified 21/64 advisor, CFRE, or equivalent credential required.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, leading to innovative ideas to create new outreach efforts.
• Ability to participate as a team member, working collaboratively and managing projects across diverse groups, with a commitment to following and enforcing processes and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills (active listening, emotional intelligence, concise communication, ability to adapt delivery and connect with donors from various ages, backgrounds and net worth).
• A sense of humor, positive approach and optimistic outlook is essential.
• Genuine concern for social impact needs within the region.
• Must be self-motivated with strong organizational skills and able to manage and meet internal and external deadlines while balancing competing priorities.
• Must be tech savvy and open to learning new fundraising/CRM systems and wealth screening tools.

COMPENSATION

An annual salary of $135,000 – $145,000 commensurate with the candidate’s experience. The position is on-site at our Hartsdale, NY office and we adhere to a hybrid work model (four days in the office and one remote, seasonal remote weeks and flexible remote days during the year). The Trust offers excellent benefits, including a pension plan, an 8% employer contribution to a 403(b)-retirement plan; partially subsidized medical insurance coverage & tiered medical plan offerings; generous paid time off, fully paid bonding leave and other benefits.

The Trust is a qualifying nonprofit organization as defined by the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. As such, Trust employees may claim their employment time on their PSLF application.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply through The Trust’s HRIS platform, Paylocity. Please upload your resume, cover letter, and donor-related writing sample as a single pdf document for review. We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in our recruitment process. The Trust strongly encourages members of underrepresented communities and individuals who meet most of the job requirements to apply.  

We will review all applications submitted prior to June 7, 2024 and do not expect the person to start until immediately following Labor Day.

The Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, The Trust will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.