Director, Development Services & Operations (Association Office)

The YMCA of Greater New York is here for all New Yorkers — to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community. Founded in 1852, today the Y serves a diverse population of more than half a million New Yorkers who learn, grow, and thrive through programs and services at our 24 branches. Community is the cornerstone of the Y. Together, we connect active, engaged New Yorkers to build stronger communities.

To help fulfill our mission, we cultivate a culture of learning, leading, and collaboration to enhance community impact. Through our talented staff and “LEAP” career framework (Leadership, Empowerment, Accountability, Personal Growth), we are committed to a people-first approach that fosters trust, inclusion, growth, and development for all.

The YMCA of Greater New York is seeking a Director of Development Services & Operations who will serve as a senior member of the Fund Development leadership team and is responsible for providing management and oversight of a comprehensive development services and operations program at the YMCA.

This position ensures the effective implementation of a newly established donor recognition, stewardship, retention, and engagement program tailored to the needs of donors and prospects. The Director also oversees a team of two staff members, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance management to ensure the success of the department. Additionally, the role involves oversight of key development services and operations areas including prospect management and analysis; fundraising reporting, analysis, and metrics tracking; gift processing; data management (including Salesforce implementation); and general office administration.

The Director works collaboratively and in concert with colleagues across the institution. They align multiple internal resources across departments and with YMCA leadership, producing seamless donor and prospect experiences. They develop best-in-class donor services that elevate all philanthropy and engagement programs, enabling the YMCA to reach as many donors as possible with impactful and strategic engagement, recognition, and reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

Donor Relations Program – 35%

• Ensure the execution of donor benefits for each giving level as part of the newly established donor recognition program.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications department to finalize and implement a social media strategy for donor recognition.
• Manage individualized stewardship plans for principal and major gift level prospects and donors, including recognition activities, stewardship reporting, and donor engagement materials tailored to various donor constituencies. This includes creating custom reports for select donors, collaborating with major gift officers and various AO and branch staff.
• Oversee the production of the department's donor newsletter, ensuring high-quality content that highlights the impact of giving and deepens donor engagement. Collaborate with internal teams to source stories, track metrics, and manage distribution.
• Develop strategies and content that showcase the impact of giving across various platforms, including donor newsletters, social media posts, and the YMCA website.
• Establish a system to ensure donor satisfaction and retention, including feedback channels (e.g., online surveys, small stewardship events).
• Utilize technology to capture in-depth donor engagement data for enhanced segmentation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Produce donor relations analytics reports and recommend strategies to meet or exceed industry averages for donor retention.

Corporate Volunteer Program – 10%

• Strategically expand volunteer opportunities in partnership with institutional giving, regional gift officers, and branches.
• Oversee and ensure the completion of required paperwork for corporate volunteer activities in collaboration with HR.

Development Analytics and Reporting – 20%

• Master the Salesforce system, which will be fully implemented by summer 2025, and oversee the transition of all reporting and prospect management functions, including wealth screening and integration with iWave.
• Oversee the production of weekly fundraising reports, monthly gap analyses, and quarterly strategic fundraising action plans created by direct reports to inform and meet annual goals.

Prospect Management & Database Oversight – 15%

• Oversee prospect wealth screening and data uploads into Salesforce, creating actionable plans based on findings.
• Coordinate with the VP of Development to ensure timely completion of prospect profiles in partnership with research consultants.
• Lead quarterly portfolio reviews with the Individual Giving team to balance gift officer portfolios and maintain a robust prospect pipeline.
• Ensure all Fund Development information is accurately maintained in Salesforce, including donor records, proposals, agreements, and prospect data to preserve institutional history and donor intent.

Gift Processing – 10%

• Manage the Gift Processing Coordinator to ensure timely and accurate recording and acknowledgment of all gifts.
• Collaborate with the Finance Department to ensure proper financial controls over gift receipt and processing, addressing any stewardship or audit-related inquiries.

Office Administration (Dept. Budget, HR) – 10%

• Take the lead in creating the annual Fund Development budget, including general expenses and event budgets, in collaboration with the CDO, VP, Event Manager, and Gift Officers.
• Oversee departmental budgets and monitor expenditures, ensuring all financial activities align with organizational goals.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, training, and professional development processes in partnership with the SVP and CDO.
• Ensure the department has necessary supplies and equipment in working order (computers, printers, copiers, etc.).

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of successful and progressively responsible fundraising experience with a focus on donor experience/relations and development services.
• Experience leading a team in a complex work environment, bringing together multiple stakeholder groups and overseeing large, organization-wide projects.
• Databases, with Salesforce experience as a plus.
• A desire to break new ground with respect to securing philanthropic investment and meaningful donor engagement.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Technical literacy and ability to manipulate complex data.
• Ability to work effectively under multiple deadlines.
• Exhibit mature leadership qualities, particularly important due to the high level of confidential information shared that directly relates to donor experience work.