Senior Director of Strategic Advancement

Who We Are

Sadie Nash Leadership Project provides award-winning experiential social justice education to more than 600 young women and gender-expansive youth of color in New York City and Newark each year. Our programs include a nationally recognized six-week summer institute, in-school and after-school workshops, college access and persistence support, and an advanced-level fellowship to design and implement an original social justice project. We strengthen, empower, and equip our participants to lead lives in committed pursuit of joy and liberation for themselves and their communities.

Position Description

The Director of Strategic Advancement will play a pivotal role in guiding Sadie Nash Leadership Project’s (SNLP) efforts to move our mission and vision forward, secure financial resources, and increase our visibility, ensuring the sustainability and growth of the organization. This senior leadership position is responsible for developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans and managing relationships with donors, corporate partners, and institutional funders. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to develop and execute multifaceted fundraising strategies, lead cross-functional teams, and communicate SNLP’s mission to diverse audiences.

We are seeking a strategic thinker with a deep commitment to the youth development sector, gender and racial justice, care-based philanthropy, community-centric fundraising, and ethical storytelling. Knowledge of the funding landscape in the NY Metro area and nationwide is a must. The successful candidate will have a talent for building relationships and utilizing strategic thinking to secure funds and cultivate support for SNLP among individual and institutional donors.

The Director of Strategic Advancement will be a key member of the senior leadership team and will join SNLP at a pivotal time of organizational growth and the implementation of a 3-year strategic vision. SNLP currently has a $2.5 million operating budget, with a goal of further diversifying revenue streams from individuals, foundations, corporations, government, the board, partnerships, earned income, and special events. The position reports to the Executive Director and works alongside the Director of Finance and Operations and the Director of Programs, supervising the Development Manager and Communications and Outreach Manager, and engaging directly with the Board of Directors.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Fundraising (35%)

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to create a multi-year fundraising strategy, focusing on diversifying revenue streams (individual, foundation, corporate, government, earned income).
• Cultivate and steward relationships with individual and institutional donors, including major gift solicitations.
• Oversee grant management, including leading the team in prospecting aligned grants, as well as supporting grant writing, editing, and reporting.
• Develop and plan a diverse array of fundraising events, ensuring alignment with the overall strategy.

Communications & Public Relations (35%)

• Develop compelling messaging to convey SNLP’s mission and impact.
• Manage external communications, including media relations, social media, and the creation of annual reports.
• Ensure consistency in SNLP’s brand and public presence across the website, printed materials, and social media.

Leadership & Team Management (20%)

• Supervise development and communications staff, including the Development Manager and Communications and Outreach Manager.
• Lead the annual departmental goal-setting and budget development process.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and the Board on various aspects of organizational management and ensure that fundraising and communications align with organizational goals.
• Engage the Board of Directors in fundraising efforts and donor cultivation through workshops and coaching.

Strategic Planning & Organizational Development (10%)

• Contribute to SNLP’s long-term strategic vision, ensuring alignment with fundraising and communications goals.
• Work with senior leadership to assess and allocate resources effectively to achieve fundraising goals and build organizational capacity for growth.

Skills, Knowledge, and Qualifications

• Experience & Fundraising Expertise: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in development roles, with a proven track record in fundraising, communications, event planning, and strategic advancement, ideally within a nonprofit environment.
• Strategic Vision & Relationship Building: Ability to develop and execute a comprehensive advancement plan that aligns with SNLP’s mission and strategic vision. Skilled in cultivating long-term relationships with individual, foundation, and corporate donors, board members, and other supporters.
• Communication & Storytelling: Expertise in crafting compelling, clear messaging across multiple platforms to engage and inspire action within the community, raising visibility and support for SNLP’s mission.
• Leadership & Team Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to inspire collaboration across staff, board members, and volunteers. At least three (3) years of experience supervising staff and the ability to manage cross-functional teams and drive successful fundraising initiatives.
• Project Management & Technical Skills: Must oversee multiple initiatives and events, particularly during peak fundraising periods, with attention to detail. Proficiency in donor management software, the Google Suite, and fluency with other digital platforms is necessary.
• Passion for Mission & Social Justice: Deep commitment to SNLP’s mission and values, particularly social justice, racial and gender equity, and trust-based philanthropy, with the ability to integrate these into all aspects of work.