Parks & Trails New York seeks a dynamic, goal-oriented candidate with a proven track record of success with a variety of fundraising programs and who enjoys working in a collaborative environment with a committed, creative team.
The Director of Development will work closely with PTNY’S Executive Director and Board of Directors to define annual fundraising strategies, priorities, goals, and revenue targets and will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of PTNY’s annual fundraising plan, with a particular focus on individual and major donor support, foundation and corporate support, digital fundraising, and fundraising events.
Partnering with PTNY’s Program & Policy and Communications teams, and Executive Director, the Director will work to build an organizational culture that embeds a fundraising focus and consistent communications across all levels of PTNY’s work.
In addition, the Director oversees the operation of PTNY’s development function and manages the Development & Operations Manager and external development consultants where applicable. The Director will work closely with the Communications Manager to collaborate on out-facing materials.
Detailed Responsibilities
Individual & Major Donors
Creating and implementing strategies for engagement with and increasing support from PTNY’s Members and lower-level individual donors
Planning and executing a series of annual fundraising appeals
Partnering with the Executive Director to develop identification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies for major donor prospects, moving potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure
Developing and implementing strategies for the stewardship of major donors ($5k+ annual giving) and Board Members, maintaining awareness of and sensitivity to their individual needs and interests
Supporting the Executive Director and the Board of Directors with development efforts, creating and implementing strategies for leveraging directors’ networks and empowering them to act as key spokespeople and fundraisers for the organization
Managing and supporting the creation of donor proposals, acknowledgments, and stewardship materials
Foundation & Corporate Support
Overseeing and expanding PTNY’s foundation funder portfolio, managing relationships with foundation contacts, and owning the grant cycle from submission to reporting
Developing and managing PTNY’s corporate partnerships program, with the goal of expanding and increasing support from corporate funders
Working with the Program & Policy Teams and Executive Director to ensure organization-wide outreach for corporate sponsorships for PTNY annual events
Digital Fundraising
Working with the Development & Operations Manager and the Communications Manager to create and implement strategies for the maintenance and expansion of PTNY’s digital fundraising program
Events
Partnering with the Development & Operations Manager to create and execute an annual series of donor cultivation, stewardship, fundraising and “friend raising” events, including PTNY’s flagship fundraising event, the George W. Perkins Award Reception
Development Operations & Communications
Working with the Executive Director, establish fundraising goals and targets, tracking and reporting progress using metrics mutually agreed upon with the Executive Director
Overseeing the day-to-day administrative aspects of PTNY’s fundraising program and activities, with involvement and support from staff
Managing and partnering with the Development & Operations Manager in the creation of policies and procedures for development operations, including fundraising communications, prospect research, moves management, and gift processing and acknowledgement
Creating messaging and content for fundraising materials and communications, including copy for letters, emails, proposals, appeals, reports, acknowledgments, and organization-wide materials as needed
Serving as the primary liaison with PTNY’s Development Committee
Leading the delivery of Strategic Planning components related to development and Communications
Qualifications
At least 5 years of progressive development experience with increasing responsibility
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and strategic thinking skills
Ability to work independently and as a team member
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Familiarity with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and donor database systems
Experience with annual appeals, digital fundraising, fundraising events, and managing corporate and foundation partnerships
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with the New York State environmental landscape
Experience soliciting and closing gifts over $5,000
Experience with wealth screening to identify new prospects
Experience securing and managing six-figure grants
Master’s Degree
Experience managing direct reports
Experience creating and overseeing budgets
Experience with Neon CRM
Experience with analytics and cutting edge technologies
Accessibility
Work is performed predominantly in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Candidates must have the ability to lift and carry small parcels, packages and other items. Repetitive hand motions and time spent at a computer monitor make up a significant portion of this position.
Our organization is working to be an anti-racist, safe, and inclusive organization. BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) individuals, women, immigrants, people with disabilities, people of marginalized sexual orientations or gender identities, and people with low-income backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. We also encourage individuals belonging to the above groups who meet some but not all of the position requirements to apply.
Compensation & Benefits
This is a salaried position working 35-hours per week and includes opportunities for flex time
The anticipated salary range for this position is $85,000–$125,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and the skills a candidate brings to the role. We expect most offers to fall between $90,000 and $115,000. We welcome candidates with a wide range of professional backgrounds and recognize that the skills needed to succeed in development can be gained through many different career paths. Candidates with exceptional qualifications, whether in fundraising or related fields, are encouraged to apply.
Our organization uses a hybrid in-person/remote office model. Candidates must be able to commute to PTNY’s Albany office at least every other week, with additional in-person commitments as needed. We welcome applicants from throughout New York State. We provide stipends for a monthly bus pass and bike share for interested employees living in the Capital Region.
We are only considering New York State-based candidates, or candidates living in a commutable community, at this time. We will consider relocation for interested candidates from out-of-state.
Parks & Trails New York is committed to providing a supportive space for employees to thrive. To that end we offer:
Fully-paid health and dental insurance immediately upon employment, plus access to vision insurance and pre-tax savings accounts for out-of-pocket health costs and dependent care expenses
15 days of paid vacation increasing to 20 days after 3 years of employment, and 25 days after 6 years, as well as additional sick and personal time
We recognize 12 holidays a year, close our offices for the last week of the calendar year and offer four-hour Fridays during the summer
A 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% of salary match after 2 years of employment and life insurance after 6 months of employment
Paid professional development for staff, both in terms of continuing education and opportunities for advancement
To Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter to careers@ptny.org with the subject line “Director of Development_(your name)”. Cover letters should be no more than one page and should speak specifically to your interest in the position and relevant experience. Priority will be given to candidates who apply by December 15th. Applications received after this date will still be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Hiring Process & Timeline
We appreciate every application; candidates selected for interviews will be contacted directly. Those who are identified to move forward will take part in a 15-minute phone screen. Selected candidates will go through two rounds of interviews with members of the Parks & Trails New York Team.
