Senior Director of Development

ABOUT RED HOOK INITIATIVE (RHI)

Red Hook Initiative (RHI) is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the more than 6,500 residents of Red Hook Houses, Brooklyn's largest public housing complex. At RHI, we believe meaningful social change starts with empowered youth, and lasting community transformation emerges from within. By partnering with community members, we nurture young people to be resilient, inspired, and healthy, envisioning themselves as co-creators of their lives, community, and society.

RHI strengthens Red Hook's future through youth development, community building, and community hiring. Our innovative, place-based approach has been nationally recognized and supported by philanthropists like MacKenzie Scott, who awarded us a $1M unrestricted gift through her Yield Giving initiative.

Our key programs include:

• Youth Development: Engaging over 450 adolescents annually to interrupt cycles of injustice and build hope.
• Building Community: Organizing and equipping youth and adults to drive positive neighborhood change and build a resilient community.
• Investing in Residents: Hiring locally and providing opportunities that generated over $1.1M in income for Red Hook residents last year.
• Red Hook Farms: Operating one of Brooklyn's largest urban farms to provide fresh, affordable produce, STEM education, and leadership opportunities for local youth and residents.

THE ROLE

RHI is on a mission to empower the Red Hook community, and we are seeking a Senior Director of Development to join our passionate team. As a strategic partner to the Executive Director, you will drive innovative fundraising strategies and build a talented development team. Working closely with the Executive Director, you will shape and execute our fundraising vision, forging strong relationships with donors and funders and contributing to an annual budget of ~$5M.

Ready to step into a leadership role, the ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of success in development, with demonstrated experience in both institutional and individual giving. You will have a strong ability to drive impactful results and a hands-on approach that fosters collaboration and adaptability. Your contributions will be essential in advancing RHI's mission and creating a more equitable and hopeful future for the communities we serve.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Fundraising Strategy & Execution: Partner with the Executive Director to develop and implement a comprehensive development plan to raise $4.5MM annually through diverse revenue streams, including individual giving, institutional support, and year-end appeals.
• Development Team Management: Build and lead RHI's Development team, transitioning from reliance on consultants to internal roles to ensure long-term sustainability and resource optimization.
• Board & Staff Engagement: Partner with the well-connected Board to tap into their networks and resources. Educate staff and Board members on their roles in fundraising, fostering a culture where everyone contributes to development efforts.
• Institutional Giving: Expand and strengthen institutional fundraising, addressing a key growth area for RHI. Build and cultivate relationships with foundations and corporate funders.
• Individual Giving: Leverage RHI's strong community-based individual giving program, enhancing donor engagement and stewardship.
• Collaboration with the ED: Serve as a thought partner to the ED, enabling them to engage funders and articulate the organization's vision effectively.
• Capacity Building: Work with frontline staff to build understanding and alignment around development needs and priorities.
• Data & Analysis: Leverage Salesforce to analyze donor trends, track progress, and inform fundraising strategies.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Accomplished fundraising professional with a proven track record in nonprofit development. Demonstrated success in growing an organization's revenue by securing funding through both institutional and individual giving, with a focus on building long-term relationships and sustainable support. Prior experience in community-based organizations is strongly preferred, and tangible results in driving revenue growth and expanding fundraising capabilities.

Skills & Attributes:

• Extensive experience in nonprofit development and progressive leadership experience in senior management roles.
• Passion for RHI's mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to cultivate and steward donor and Board relationships, including cultivating relationships with institutional and individual donors.
• A strategic thinker who can also roll up their sleeves to execute.
• Agile and adaptable, comfortable in a small team environment with a wide range of responsibilities.
• Expertise in project management, balancing competing priorities, and navigating organizational change.
• Familiarity with issues facing low-income communities, particularly in New York City.

Compensation

RHI provides a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects its commitment to employees. The salary for this leadership role ranges from $135,000 to $145,000, based on the candidate's qualifications. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, an Employee Assistance Program with 12 counseling sessions per year, a 403(b) retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, 24 PTO days of paid time off, and "Summer Fridays" when possible. Additionally, RHI is closed during the last week of the year for a holiday break, ensuring employees have time to rest and recharge.

RHI is also committed to investing in the professional growth of its leadership team, offering opportunities for training, coaching, and participation in industry conferences.

Hybrid/Remote Work

While the role requires proximity to Brooklyn for on-the-ground community engagement, RHI is open to hybrid work arrangements. Strong candidates from the New York area are encouraged to apply, though fundraisers in other locales may be considered based on experience and fit.

Who You Will Report To

The Senior Director of Development will report directly to the Executive Director.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

RHI is committed to building a culturally diverse community, and we believe in the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We understand that every individual brings a unique set of skills and experiences. While our job description lists specific qualifications, skills, and competencies, we also recognize that true potential can often transcend those lines. If you share our commitment to justice and community empowerment, even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply.

TO APPLY

Please log on to the RHI career portal at: https://rhicenter.applicantpro.com/jobs/ for further instructions about how to apply for this position. Please be sure to attach your cover letter and resume as ONE COMBINED pdf.