Chief Development Officer
Scouting America, Greater New York Councils
New York, New York
Job Description
About Greater New York Councils
Since its founding in 1927, the Councils have helped over five million young people become “Prepared for Life.” The Greater New York Councils serves the five boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island; it is one of the few remaining purely urban Scout Councils in the United States.
Greater New York Councils (GNYC) serves nearly 9,000 young people a year by fostering healthy habits and personal fitness, with the safety of our youth being paramount; encouraging environmental stewardship; age-appropriate career exposure, after school programming, leadership development life and emergency preparedness skills, and STEM Education.
GNYC’s major programs are Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring. Additionally, we also offer a Cub Scout-based afterschool program, called Scoutreach, to 14 New York City public elementary schools situated in high poverty communities and serving predominately low-income families. Whether joining a Scouting or Exploring program at age five or age 20, participants are part of a community of volunteers and members, taking part in activities that build character, leadership, civic engagement, career exposure, community, camaraderie, and fitness.
With three incredible camp properties — Alpine Scout Camp, William H. Pouch Camp, and Ten Mile River Camp —GNYC provides scouts and their families with the opportunity to connect with nature, while developing the self-reliance that brings confidence and self-worth into all other aspects of life.
Reports to: CEO
Supervises: Director of Special Events, Director of Foundation and Government Relations, Marketing Manager/Associate (TBH) and Grant Writer (TBH)
Position Summary
Greater New York Councils seeks an entrepreneurial, innovative, strategic, and high-energy development professional to work with the Board and CEO to build a comprehensive fundraising plan to increase and diversify philanthropic support. GNYC is seeking to grow its programs and
revenues so that it can serve New York City’s children and youth through youth leadership development, after-school educational enhancement, environmental education, career preparedness, and community policing programs.
Reporting to the GNYC CEO, the Chief Development Officer will bring a passion for giving the young people of Greater New York the opportunity to enjoy all that the Scouting experience provides. There is a strong preference for candidates with direct experience working in New York City philanthropy with a clear understanding of all aspects of development.
The CDO will be a high-energy individual with high tolerance for ambiguity, a disciplined self-starter, and effective communicator.
Core Responsibilities
•Promote and maintain the standards of Scouting America, with the safety of our youth being paramount.
•Work closely and collaboratively with the CEO and Board. Participate as a member of the GNYC senior management team to achieve the objectives of the GNYC’s Strategic Plan to enhance and maximize philanthropic giving from individuals, corporations, foundations, government, and public agencies.
•Oversee fund development including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects and donors.
•Guide and develop the involvement of key individuals in the solicitation and stewardship of donors.
• Align communication and marketing efforts to inspire giving; develop an effective strategy for acquiring donors by creating an awareness of the need, create desire to DO something about meeting that need, and provide a way for the donor to give.
•Provide staff leadership and lead Development Committee efforts;
•Manage four direct reports — Director of Special Events, Director of Foundations and Grants, Manager of Communications (TBH) and a Grant Writer (TBH) — and administrative staff
•Inspire accountability and ensure department runs efficiently, working collaboratively with Field Team on their borough fundraising events.
•Oversee all special events and determine best strategy to streamline Field Fundraising Events
• Align communication and marketing efforts to inspire giving; develop an effective strategy for acquiring donors by creating an awareness of the need, create desire to DO something about meeting that need, and provide a way for the donor to give.
•Ensure excellence in the writing, review, editing, and production of all online and printed Development communications materials including the annual report, newsletters, brochures, and website content.
•Plan and prepare the Development budget to maximize resources using best practices to assure sound fiscal operation of Development function, including accurate and comprehensive reporting on philanthropic contributions.
•Develop metrics to set performance standards and organize and motivate volunteers and staff to achieve fundraising goals.
•Establish and maintain positive relationships with all GNYC staff to ensure collaborative relationships between Development and all aspects of GNYC’s operations.
•While reporting directly to the CEO, work effectively with the VP of Development (Volunteer Board Member) responsible for Development; supporting the Board Development Committee and presentations to the Executive Committee and Board on Development matters, performance, opportunities and concerns.
•Develop and maintain an effective relationship with the Scouting America National with a view to maximizing the benefits for both GNYC and National.
Qualifications:
•At least 10 years of direct experience in philanthropic fundraising; specific and proven success in diversifying fundraising.
•Ability to set and scale ambitious fundraising goals through collaboration in strategic and creative decision-making with senior leadership.
•Strong preference for candidates who have experience in New York City philanthropy.
•Comprehensive knowledge of all areas of nonprofit development, including major gifts; corporate and foundation, individual, planned, and annual giving; events; donor acquisition; online and digital fundraising; and capital campaign planning and implementation.
•Experience managing and growing a nonprofit philanthropic board with a focus on diversity.
•Excellent written, verbal, and people skills. Must be able to speak and write credibly and convincingly about GNYC’s programs and to articulate the organization’s mission and programs in a creative, compelling, and effective manner.
•A sincere and genuine interest in how GNYC’s programs can work to advance economic, educational, and social equity.
•Ability to exercise good judgment and understand the ethics related to Development activities and to handle confidential and privileged information with discretion.
•Preferred experience in using a donor-management database, wealth-screening software, and data segmentation to optimize fundraising goals.
•Entrepreneurial skills, including the ability to recognize opportunities and proactively pursue them.
•Must be able to appreciate, embrace, and advance diversity and have experience working with multicultural populations.
Personal Characteristics:
•A sophisticated diplomat who can motivate and inspire staff, donors, community leaders and volunteers.
•A conscientious and disciplined self-starter.
•Possess gravitas and presence to effectively represent GNYC to the public.
•Espouse the qualities of a servant leader.
Compensation
Annual Salary up to $180,000. The Greater New York Councils offers a competitive benefits package. Our plan includes major medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage in addition to disability, accident, life insurance, and a retirement savings plan.
Submissions of Interest
Candidates should submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter. Communications, nominations, applications, and inquiries concerning this search should be directed hrspecialist@nycscouting.org
