Director of Development and Communications

Background:
Comprehensive Youth Development (CYD) helps to transform the lives
of New York City’s young people by empowering them to create
rewarding futures for themselves and their families by helping them
complete high school and succeed in college, advanced training, and
the workplace. With a budget of $4M, CYD serves more than 3,500
young people each year, providing a range of services to low-income
and underserved NYC public school students and alumni ages 14-24.
As well as being direct service providers, CYD actively advocates
for the needs of NYC’s young adults with government agencies,
funders, and educators.
CYD is committed to education as
equity – many of the young people they serve are BIPOC and new
immigrants, and most are the first in their families to go to
college. CYD strongly believes that success for young people occurs
when preparation meets opportunity. To that end they provide
academic and social support services in three public high schools–
tutoring, college advisement from college choice to applications
and financial aid, connections to postsecondary certificate
programs, and workforce readiness skills. These services are
supported by a range of counseling and referral services that help
dismantle the barriers that stand in the way of high school
graduation and future progress.
CYD is looking for an experienced
Director of Development and Communications (DDC) to join the senior
leadership team. The DDC will lead a three-member team to raise and
secure revenues to support CYD’s current services and future
growth, and will oversee all agency communications including the
website, newsletters, and social media. This is a highly visible
role, both internally and with the Board and funding partners.
Position: The
Director of Development and Communications joins CYD at an exciting
moment. With CYD’s 30thanniversary in 2025, CYD is actively engaged
in a strategic examination of current programming and future
development.  The DDC will join a collaborative and
experienced senior leadership team and work closely with a
visionary and charismatic ED, as well as an engaged and active
Board of Directors.
The DDC is responsible for all private
fundraising efforts and agency communications. They will build upon
current successful foundation, corporate, and individual
fundraising,  overseeing efforts to continue to raise and
increase revenues which currently comprise 40% of the CYD budget.
The DDC also oversees the strategy and implementation of agency
communications to the Board and a large group of stakeholders that
convey the importance of the work and encourage participation. As
CYD moves into its fourth decade, they are seeking a DDC that will
broaden their funding base and institute new methods to engage and
retain donors.
Specific
Responsibilities:
Fundraising

• Partner with the ED and Board to develop a comprehensive annual
  fundraising strategy and implementation plan to support CYD’s
  mission and advance set goals.
• Lead and manage the Development team’s activities and workflow
  to effect all fundraising and communication efforts.
• Continue to broaden CYD’s base of foundation funders by
  researching and cultivating new and maintaining current funder
  relationships through communications and engaging reporting.
• Create strategies to engage board members to participate in
  individual giving efforts, including through annual gifts and
  outreach to prospective donors through the end-of-year fundraising
  campaign. This includes the creation and implementation of the
  Annual Fund campaign and supporting materials.
• Lead the design and implementation of the annual fundraising
  event, the CYD Spelling Bee for Grownups, and work with
  the board to grow attendance and participation.
• Collaborate with board members and staff to design and
  implement periodic corporate volunteer events either in person or
  virtually.
• Work with CYD school site staff to recruit students and create
  supporting materials for these events.

Board Membership/Meetings and
Stewardship

• Staff board committee meetings; create productive quarterly
  agendas and minutes.
• Collaborate with the ED and the Board’s Nominations and
  Governance Committee to research and identify new board
  candidates.
• Partner with Board members and the ED to identify and implement
  donor and volunteer stewardship activities including thank-you
  events and communications.
• Work with the Board to identify and implement board stewardship
  events including social events.
• Collaborate with the senior leadership team and the ED to
  develop and lead staff stewardship activities, including
  onboarding, staff parties and outings, gifts, and more.

Communications

• With the Development team, design and implement an integrated
  communications strategy and implementation plan to engage
  supporters and build an increased understanding of CYD’s model and
  impact.
• Produce persuasive and compelling communications including
  monthly newsletter, internal news, the organization’s website,
  social media posts, videos, event invitations, and more.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of eight (8) years of
  professional development and fundraising experience
• Track record of developing, implementing, and reporting on
  diversified fundraising plans
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in raising revenues
  from both foundation and individual sources
• Experience working with a sophisticated Board of Directors on
  board development and fundraising
• Superb communication and relationship-building skills with the
  ability to work effectively with a range of colleagues and partners
  (e.g., board members, funders, volunteers, and advocates)
• Outstanding writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with
  flexibility to engage diverse audiences using a range of media and
  the understanding of how to create content that draws an
  audience
• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects in a
  fast-paced, dynamic environment with aggressive deadlines
• Strong and creative management skills with experience
  cultivating and building a team of committed and
  achievement-focused professionals
• Self-starter who can thrive in a small organization with the
  initiative and drive to make things happen, taking on a range of
  responsibilities as opportunities arise
• Keen attention to detail with strong organizational and time
  management skills to balance long-term goals with day-to-day
  demands
• A sense of proportion and a sense of humor
• An understanding of and commitment to CYD’s mission and the
  young people they serve

This is an onsite position near Union
Square in Manhattan. 
CYD offers competitive compensation
and opportunities for personal and professional growth as well as
the rewards of serving high-need students from across New York
City. Compensation will depend on the experience of the candidate
but is targeted in the range of $130k to $145k.
CYD is committed to affirmative
action.
For more information about
Comprehensive Youth Development, please visit their website at
www.comprehensiveyouthdevelopment.org
To Apply:
Comprehensive Youth Development has retained the services of Harris
Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and
applications may be directed in confidence to:
Elly Kirschner, Senior Director
Harris Rand Lusk Executive Search
260 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
[email protected]
Your application should include a
resume and cover letter describing your interest in the role;
please put “CYD” in the subject line of your e-mail.