The Bronx River Alliance seeks a Director of Development and Communications
The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the river and works with 100+ partners—including NYC Parks—to protect, improve and restore the river so that it is a healthy ecological, recreational, educational, and economic resource for all communities through which the river flows. Since being founded in 2001, we have engaged over 20,000 volunteers, nearly 25,000 people have paddled with us, we have improved 26 acres of parkland, secured and coordinated over $250M in capital funding for park development and environmental restoration, and created 22 acres of new waterfront parkland.
The Bronx River Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. People of all identities are encouraged to apply.
Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000
Position Overview: The Director of Development and Communications leads the fundraising efforts of the Bronx River Alliance. Working with the Development Committee of the Board of Directors, Executive Director, Grants Manager (consulting), Special Events and Membership Coordinator, Communications Assistant , and other staff, raise funds in support of an annual budget of approximately $2 million, which comes from foundation, corporate, individual, and competitive government grants. In addition, this role oversees the external communications around the Alliance’s mission, programs, events, and other initiatives. Specifically the Director of Development and Communications will:
- Develop and implement the annual fundraising and communications plan
- Oversee the Communications Program
- Work closely with the Board of Directors, Executive Director, and Development Coordinator in developing, evaluating and initiating new fundraising strategies
- Foster and develop relationships with funders, donors, and other stakeholders
- Supervise the Grant Manager, Special Events and Membership Coordinator, and Communications Assistant
- Center diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA); community leadership; and environmental justice
Work Schedule: Full Time (35 hours/week)
To note:
- Occasional night and weekend work is required
- Lower Westchester and Bronx residency preferred
- This position reports to the Executive Director
- The Alliance offers medical, dental and vision insurance; SIMPLE IRA with up to 3% match, pre-tax FSA and transit benefits; 13 paid holidays; and paid vacation, sick, and personal days
- The reporting location is Bronx River House, located at 1490 Sheridan Boulevard. Alliance employees are currently on a staggered in-office schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Job Responsibilities:
- Work as a member of senior staff to monitor and ensure the organization’s financial health and successful grant management
- Provide revenue projections for preparation of the annual budget, and monitoring income against projections
- Oversee the grant process: collaborate with program and finance staff to develop compelling proposals/renewals, reports, letters of inquiry, and budgets
- Develop strategies to increase individual giving from the current level of about $140,000, focusing on strategies to increase major gifts
- Work with the Special Events and Membership Coordinator 1) to ensure that the Alliance’s special events (Flotilla and Soiree) are successful and 2) to build the Alliance’s membership program
- Work with board members, Executive Director, Grants Manager (consulting), Special Events and Membership Coordinator, to develop explore potential new sources of funding
- Monitor the execution of communications strategies and activities
- Lead the overhaul and/or implementation of new/existing communications platforms
- Occasionally represent the Alliance at external events; be able to to speak knowledgeably and compellingly about our work
- Become familiar with the Alliance’s programs and current issues related to these programs, by reviewing related studies and articles and periodically attending program activities
- Participate fully in Alliance efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility both internally and externally
Qualifications:
- Passion for the mission, vision and values of the Bronx River Alliance
- Work experience requirements:
- 10 years relevant professional experience in fundraising, donor cultivation, grants management in nonprofit organizations and/or government agencies or equivalent business experience, 5 of which must include progressively responsible supervisory experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in related field may substitute for three years professional experience
- Masters degree in related field may substitute for one year of managerial experience
- Excellent writing and communications skills, as well as ability to understand and communicate budgets to funders
- Ability to communicate and work with diverse constituents (funders, program staff and board members, partner organizations, regional coalitions, NYC Parks)
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to be self-starting, think creatively, work quickly and under pressure, and meet deadlines
- Demonstrated effective use of systems (Microsoft Office, G Suite, database/CRM, project management tools, emerging technologies)
- Familiarity with database software; fundraising software, especially Salesforce is a plus
- Valid NY State drivers license highly preferred
The Bronx River Alliance is committed to practicing and upholding the values of inclusion, collaboration, environmental justice, responsiveness, communication, ecological restoration, innovation, respect, integrity, and public access. We value the full range of human diversity and seek to involve diverse populations in our staff, board, volunteers, and partners. Read our full values statement at bronxriver.org/about/values. Read our Commitment to Environmental Justice at bronxriver.org/about/commitment-to-environmental-justice
To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] by May 20, 2022.
