Director of Development and External Affairs
New York, NY, United States
Position Overview
Willie Mae Rock Camp seeks a creative and forward-thinking Director of Development and External Affairs to lead fundraising and external messaging as the organization grows to a $1.5M+ budget. This is a new position at an exciting time of organizational growth and impact with key responsibility for increasing and diversifying organizational revenue, elevating the organization’s visibility, and fostering active engagement and support from individual, corporate, and institutional donors. The Director of Development and External Affairs reports to and works closely with the Executive Director and supervises an integrated development and external affairs team, currently including the Communications Manager and Grant Writer. Over time, this position will expand their team as the organization continues to grow.
About Willie Mae Rock Camp
Willie Mae Rock Camp empowers girls and gender-expansive youth through transdisciplinary music education programs that combine instrument instruction with creative technology and STEM-based learning. We equip students with the tools and support to develop and amplify their voices and provide hands-on skill building with sound-based technologies to help them thrive as tomorrow’s creative leaders and innovators.
We reach over 600 students ages 10-17 annually at our Brooklyn studio and partner sites throughout NYC through a range of year-round programming, including in-school music education, community workshops, and after-school and summer intensives. Across our programs, students learn how to develop a song and create a musical track; receive hands-on instruction and practice using a range of tech including electronic instruments, recording technology, software, and creative coding; and work together to develop their own collaborative works. Our programs are tuition-free, and we center young people whose voices are underrepresented in both creative and tech fields. To learn more about Willie Mae Rock Camp, visit williemarockcamp.org.
Responsibilities
Development
Develop and manage fundraising plans and strategy across contributed revenue streams to meet fundraising targets, diversify and expand our fundraising portfolio, and support organizational growth;
Develop and lead fundraising campaigns to secure and increase support from new, existing, and lapsed supporters;
Work with the Executive Director and the board’s External Affairs committee to create mission-forward donor cultivation events to strengthen relationships with key donors and engage new supporters;
Partner with the Executive Director on identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts and stewarding relationships with major donors;
Build and strengthen relationships with corporations to develop sponsorship opportunities and contributions;
Oversee management of the foundation and government grants portfolio in partnership with the Grant Writer and Deputy Director;
Report on fundraising metrics to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
Communications
Oversee strategic management of the organization’s outward-facing communications, materials, brand positioning and messaging across platforms with the communications manager and ensure alignment between development and communications strategy;
Provide operational and strategic support to the Executive Director’s work increasing the organization’s public profile through thought leadership, public speaking, and strategic partnerships;
Oversee strategy for developing and tracking metrics and benchmarks for communications and external affairs to improve the organization’s visibility.
Team Leadership
Provide operational oversight of the development and external affairs team;
Supervise the Communications Manager and consultant Grant Writer.
Candidate Qualifications
At least seven years of progressively responsible development experience with in-depth knowledge of fundraising and donor communications;
Collaborative and creative leader with the ability to operate on strategic, managerial and hands-on levels;
Demonstrable experience designing, leading, and successfully executing comprehensive fundraising plans and strategies to support organizational growth with a track record of securing gifts ranging from $10K to $100K+ across multiple revenue streams;
Experience planning and successfully executing fundraising appeals, marketing campaigns, and donor events;
Ability to cultivate and steward relationships with individual, corporate, and institutional donors;
Knowledge of the grant cycle from proposal development to post-award reporting;
Proficiency with development best practices, including experience with a donor CRM;
Deep commitment to the mission and values of Willie Mae Rock Camp.
Compensation
This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary of $100K annually. We offer employer-paid medical insurance, 13 paid holidays, and a generous time off policy.
Work Environment
This is a hybrid position with the majority of work performed remotely and attendance at our Brooklyn studio for events, site visits, and meetings as needed.
Reports To
Executive Director