Director, Principal Gifts

The New York Climate Exchange (The Exchange) is a new
not-for-profit climate solutions center designed to build
community, foster collaboration, advance climate knowledge, and
empower marginalized communities through cross-disciplinary
networking, impactful programming, and cutting-edge facilities.
While The Exchange will have a physical presence on Governors
Island, its spirit and influence will extend beyond the Island into
New York City and across the country and world. Our diverse
coalition of partners—committed and prepared to collectively
disrupt the status quo—incorporates local and global perspectives
on climate change from academia, the private sector, and
community-level organizations. As the first of its kind, The
Exchange will unlock integrated and scalable approaches to
sustainability, ultimately serving as a global model for
sustainable positive change.

The New York Climate Exchange (“The Exchange”) seeks to
recruit a Director, Principal Gifts to cultivate, solicit, and
steward donors capable of seven and eight-figure philanthropic
gifts.

Applicants should feel comfortable working in a fast-paced,
start-up environment, requiring flexibility with tasks and roles.
This position is full-time. The individual filling this role will
primarily work in-person in the New York City area. Periodic remote
work is allowed with prior approval.

The position reports to the Chief Advancement Officer.
 

Salary and Benefits

Salary for the Director, Principal Gifts is between $175,000 –
$225,000 per year. The position includes eligibility for generous
health and retirement benefits, and paid time off/sick leave.

Salary will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not
limited to qualifications, experience, education, licenses, and
specialized training. The above hiring range represents The
Exchange’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of
possible compensation at the time of posting.
 

Responsibilities

Working closely with the Chief Advancement Officer at The
Exchange, significant responsibilities include:

1. Identify, cultivate, and solicit top prospects. Personally
   manage a portfolio of principal ($1M-$9.99M) gift and
   transformative ($10M+) gift prospects with the highest-level
   capacity.
2. Update and refine short-term and long-term strategies for
   existing top prospects and donors, moving them through the stages
   of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
3. Achieve specific and measurable goals for contracts, effective
   portfolio management, proposals presented, and dollars raised.
4. Engage current partner institutions in the principal giving
   process including donor identification and coordinated strategies
   for engagement and solicitation.
5. Collaborate with the CAO to develop and implement a strategic
   plan for new donor engagement (through formal and informal advisory
   opportunities).
6. Recruit and staff a high-level development volunteer body that
   can assist in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of
   principal and transformative gifts for The Exchange.
7. Design opportunities and prepare communications for authentic
   principal and transformative donor engagement, including the
   creation of compelling messaging and case statements in
   support of fundraising strategies.
8. Collaborate with the leadership team in support of the ongoing
   philanthropic priorities for The Exchange.

Other duties or projects as assigned as
appropriate to rank and departmental mission.

  Position-related Qualifications

1. Minimum of ten years of experience in progressively responsible
   development leadership positions.
2. A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is a
   plus.
3. Demonstrated track record of frontline fundraising for an
   institution of higher education, not-for-profit organization, or
   other environment of similar complexity with multiple stakeholders;
   previous work experience in higher education and/or climate and
   environmental issues is preferred.
4. Demonstrated success in the cultivation, solicitation, and
   stewardship of seven, eight and ideally nine-figure gift prospects;
   success in strategically engaging and securing gifts from
   previously unaffiliated constituencies.
5. Commitment to and demonstrated knowledge of organizational
   mission and vision; ability to communicate and create
   excitement about the mission, vision, programs, and fundamental
   value of this historic initiative.
6. Strength in developing fundraising strategies and experience
   working directly with the most senior levels of an
   organization.
7. Execution of planning regimen on an individual, program, and
   institutional partner level.
8. Strong willingness to collaborate in highly team-based
   environment; ability to build working relationships across the
   organization.
9. Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build,
   foster, and maintain positive professional relationships with
   colleagues, organizational partners, and external
   constituencies.
10. Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills
    to deliver an effective, coherent, and consistent
    message.
11. Successful track record translating research and program
    activity into compelling philanthropic objectives and previous
    proposal writing experience is preferred.
12. The ability to travel frequently in support The Exchange’s
    philanthropic priorities, attend events and personal cultivation
    and solicitation visits with the CEO and CAO, Exchange leaders and
    coalition partners.
13. A history of and commitment to diversity and inclusion
14. Experience in a start-up environment is highly preferred, and
    experience working with climate/environmental initiatives is a
    plus.

  New York Climate Exchange Staff Core Competencies

Develops and implements solutions that show
understanding of how partners and/or own work achieves results that
are financially, environmentally, and socially sustainable.
Shares new insights based on in-depth
understanding of clients/partners and recommends solutions for
current and future needs of clients/partners.
Initiates collaboration across boundaries and
broadly across The Exchange, partner organizations, and other
relevant institutions.
Makes choices and sets priorities with The New
York Climate Exchange corporate perspective in mind.
Helps others to understand problems, partner
and client needs, and the underlying context.
Recognizes the value of diverse perspectives
and lived experiences and applies a critical lens to systemic
sources of bias and discrimination.
Applies critical thinking and seeks input and
experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent
with The Exchange’s strategy.
Evaluates risk and anticipates the short- and
long-term implications of decisions.
Commits to a decision and acts once it has been
reached.

Preferred consideration will be given to applications
received no later than May 10, 2024.

The New York Climate Exchange provides equal employment
opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and
prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard
to race, color, religion, age, sex, height, weight, national
origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status,
sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other
characteristic protected by federal, state, or local
laws.

Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when
they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from
other marginalized groups only apply if they are a 100% match. If
you are passionate about our mission and think you have what it
takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t check all the
boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider
your application.

You must be able to work in the United States as The Exchange does
not yet have visa-sponsoring capabilities.

You must be able to work in the United States as The Exchange
does not yet have visa-sponsoring capabilities.