Director of Development

Waterfront Alliance is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization with an alliance of over 1,100 partners. Our mission is to drive environmental and economic development, fostering meaningful change along shorelines, waterfronts, and coastlines nationwide, with roots in the New York-New Jersey region. Key programs and advocacy areas include climate resilience, public access to the waterfront, the WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) program, working waterfront and maritime, and climate education.

The Waterfront Alliance is a regional leader in climate policy and waterfront revitalization with a focus on climate resilience. While the Waterfront Alliance is best known regionally, it is increasingly recognized for its leadership nationally through the WEDG program.

About the Position

In close partnership with the President and team members, the director of development is responsible for coordinating development operations and implementing a comprehensive $3M+ fundraising program that includes corporate sponsorships and corporate council fees (35%); individual donations (<5%), foundation giving (33%), and government grants (30%). The director of development works to ensure a multi-faceted and dynamic fundraising strategy is implemented to foster relationships and leverage opportunities.

The full fundraising team includes the director of events, director of communications, program leads, a development assistant, and consultants who, with the president, ensure we meet annual revenue goals while exploring new and creative strategies and identifying opportunities for growth. One staff and one consultant report to the director of development. The role collaborates with program team leads to ensure our high quality programmatic work is reflected in fundraising priorities, goals, and objectives.

The director of development is a member of the Waterfront Alliance leadership team, a spirited and dynamic group of professionals who are dedicated to creating real and tangible change in the New York-New Jersey region and nationwide.

Classification: Fulltime, exempt

Salary and Benefits: Salary range is $85,000 to $100,000. Waterfront Alliance offers a comprehensive benefits package, including employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurances; life insurance; 401K retirement plan with employer match; commuter and FSA benefits, paid time off, paid sabbatical after five years, professional development opportunities, and more.

Reports to: President and CEO

Location: New York, NY, with a generous telecommuting policy.

Responsibilities

• Corporations and Event-Based Fundraising – 40%
  • Coordinate with the director of events on all aspects of event related fundraising, including corporate sponsorship prospecting, outreach, and solicitation for annual Waterfront Conference and Heroes of the Harbor gala.
  • In partnership with the CEO, lead the implementation of the Waterfront Alliance Corporate Council, and other corporate fundraising initiatives like the Coastal Cleanup corporate volunteer program.
• Operations & Management – 30%
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the development department, including gift processing and accounts receivable, Salesforce database management, scheduling and preparing briefing documents, and tracking and supporting internal processes.
  • Identify, communicate, troubleshoot, and lead improvements to the organization’s fundraising processes and practices.
  • Support organization’s fiscal health by leading development related financial tracking.
  • Manage the annual development plan, ensuring all team members are aware of their deadlines and deliverables, manage agendas and lead meetings for weekly development meetings.
• Board of Trustees and Individuals – 15%
  • Assist the President and CEO in managing board activities, including creating reports and presentations for board meetings.
  • Lead the development committee and ad hoc fundraising committee by setting agendas, leading meetings, preparing reports, presenting, tracking discussions, and following up on meeting outcomes. Collaborate individually with board members to support their fundraising efforts.
  • Continue to grow our nascent individual giving program by executing fundraising appeals, donor briefings, and strategizing. Identify major donor prospects and create individual cultivation strategies for some donors.
• Foundations and Government – 15%
  • Lead management, prospecting, and some grant writing for a portfolio of foundation funders ranging from small family foundations to large institutional funders
  • Lead the identification, development and completion of state and federal government grant applications, and support operations and program staff with contracting and reporting.
  • Lead contracting and reporting requirements for New York City Council discretionary funding.

Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes

• 3 to 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience and a track record of meeting goals, and proven successful development and execution of fundraising strategy.
• Applicants with less experience who demonstrate growing responsibility and achievements in fundraising operations and management are encouraged to apply. Please clearly state in the screening questions your responsibilities and achievements.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and confidence working with boards, individuals, and teams to execute successful fundraising strategies.
• Experience with financial tracking of fundraising and budget reconciliations.
• Database management using Salesforce or another similar database.
• Outstanding attention to detail.
• Passion for the Waterfront Alliance mission.
• Ability to work with consultants, manage and solicit consultants.
• Excellent project management, collaboration, and organizational skills including a can-do attitude that brings teams together in complex settings.
• Experience managing multiple projects, stakeholders, grant applications, and deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communications, presentation, and speaking skills.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

How to Apply

Submit your resume and the answers to the prompted questions. Only complete applications will be considered. Position open until filled. No phone calls please.

As an equal opportunity employer, Waterfront Alliance encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, physical ability or any other legally protected basis.