Senior Director of External Engagement
Change for Kids (CFK) is a New York City based and focused youth development organization that creates opportunities for kids so they can overcome inequity. Our vision is for all kids to be empowered to pursue and achieve their dreams, but first they need a fair chance at success. Success is too often dictated by the zip code in which you live or the color of your skin, not your potential. That’s why CFK partners with schools in under-resourced communities across NYC to create opportunities for young people to develop the skills, connections, and self and social awareness necessary to overcome inequity. Through access to a purposeful blend of resources, programs and people, Change for Kids helps kids discover who they are, what they want to be in the future, and how to get there.
CFK began in 1994 as a grassroots movement dedicated to transforming New York City’s public school education landscape. What began as a bridge between passionate individuals seeking change to public elementary schools in need of resources has grown to a full-service youth development organization dedicated to creating opportunities for kids during and after school. For more information about our work, please visit changeforkids.org or follow us on social media @changeforkids
About the Position:
Reporting to and working in close collaboration with the Executive Director (ED), the Senior Director of External Engagement (SDEE) will be responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive development and communications strategy. The SDEE is a design thinker and strategist who will: help our community of Change Makers (including individual donors, corporate partners, and government and institutional funders) accomplish their philanthropic goals; generate new ideas that increase revenue and donor loyalty; and develop and execute the annual fundraising plan with a goal of diversifying revenue sources and raising an increased percentage annually. This person will be able to traverse the lines of corporate America, the youth development sector, board members, staff, donors and stakeholders with fluidity and poise in order to cultivate, develop and maintain formidable relationships with all. S/he also will form and manage the Change for Kids development team that currently consists of three individuals.
Responsibilities
Design and execute a comprehensive fund development strategy: The SDEE will be responsible for planning and implementing strategies to secure donors and contributions in support of the organization, provide oversight of the fund development program, monitor development activities, and address issues that may hamper growth and success.
-Institute a comprehensive, multi-faced stewardship program to ensure that CFK donors experience high-quality interactions with the organization.
-Grow a major gifts program including identification, cultivation and solicitation of major donors.
-Develop and deepen corporate partnerships, including philanthropy/grants and employee engagement.
-Oversee grants, including prospecting, proposal writing, and reporting requirements. Experience with government grants a plus.
-Establish performance measures, monitor results, and evaluate the efficacy of the fund development program.
-Oversee fundraising special events, including annual gala and golf outing.
-Actively manage the donor pipeline using Salesforce CRM.
Design and execute effective communications strategy: The SDEE is responsible for creating and executing a strategic communications plan that raises the awareness of the organization, expands its digital footprint, and tells its story in a compelling and engaging way.
-Determine annual communication plan taking into account fundraising campaigns, specific audiences, and fundraising goals.
-Oversee and execute email marketing and social media campaigns with the goal of increasing followers and maximizing engagement.
-Generate, update, and maintain CFK’s messaging for all platforms, including the website, marketing emails, annual report, and social media.
-Manage cross-team collaboration to translate program data into compelling narratives of CFK’s impact that can be shared across multiple channels.
Drive organizational and Board development processes: Work with the ED to liaise with board and staff to reach fundraising goals
-Manage Board Fundraising Committee.
-Partner with event chairs to drive sponsorships and fundraising.
-Liaise with individual board members around their own fundraising goals; work to cultivate other leadership groups (Junior Board, Board of Advisors, etc).
-Identify and build relationships with new and prospective donors through Board networks and leads.
-Holding a fastidious eye for the detailed work associated with developing, cultivating and continuing the relationships with potential, past and current donors.
Manage development/communication team: The SDEE is responsible for coaching, training, and retaining top talent.
This job might be for you if:
-You have 5+ years of experience in a senior role in nonprofit development and at least 10 years of work experience. You dream of transforming changing organizations into successful ones, good ones into great ones, and you know how to actualize your aspirations.
-You are an enthusiastic leader capable of managing diverse teams to reach a common goal. Initiating and completing projects is right up your alley. You know how to make timely, effective and ethical decisions. You embody the entrepreneurial winning spirit. You’re a self-starter who crafts creative solutions and opens doors to new donor relationships. You are fearless.
-You actively and constantly listen to all constituents, focus especially on donor needs and know how to identify mutual benefits. -You communicate excellently and compel audiences through writing and speaking.
-You are process driven. You like being in the weeds and can traveserve the balcony view and the detailed view of all initiatives with fluidity and poise. You have the efficacy to be both process driven and to drive the process with and for a team.
Qualifications
-Bachelor's degree required; Masters preferred
-At least 5+ years proven success in development/fundraising/sales preferably for a nonprofit.
-Passion for Change for Kids’ mission to help kids overcome inequity.
-Experience managing teams required.
-Excellent interpersonal skills and persuasive writing and editing skills, as well as a keen attention to detail.
-Analytical thinking and ability to analyze data.
-Proficiency with CRM, experience with Salesforce a plus.
-Knowledge of email marketing systems.
Salary: $105,000-$130,000 annually
Benefits include a Responsible Time Off policy, partial employer-paid medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401k, commuter benefits, employee engagement activities, professional development opportunities, and a healthy dose of laughter!
To Apply:
Qualified applicants should send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] and indicate “Senior Director of External Engagement” in the subject line. Your cover letter should include your desired salary range and answer the following question: "What makes fundraising for equity most challenging today and how have you overcome any roadblocks?"
CFK is strongly committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all individuals. Consistent with CFK’s commitment to equal employment opportunity, CFK’s policy is to comply with all federal, state and local laws concerning employment discrimination. Accordingly, CFK will make all employment decisions for employees and applicants without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, arrest record or any other status protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.