Director of Development

When you join the Behind the Book team, you have the opportunity to work in a creative, innovative, and supportive environment. Share your passion for literacy, kids, and making a difference.

Job Description

 

Behind the Book is seeking a strategic fundraiser and creative thinker to join our leadership team and help chart the growth of our organization.  The right person should be passionate about our mission and enjoy collaboration with other high-impact colleagues.

 

About Behind the Book

We design and implement innovative literacy programs serving Pre-K through 12th grade students in high-needs NYC public schools and local libraries.  Our programs are rooted in the concept of intrinsic motivation.  As a result, our young people experience an increase in self-confidence and learn social-emotional skills, helping to ensure a future of personal success and lifelong learning. Now in our 21st year, Behind the Book is poised for transition and growth.  Following the departure of our founder in June 2022, our new leadership team is drafting a new strategic plan that will begin to chart our path for the next 20 years.  We have a $1.5M annual budget. 

 

Overview

The Director of Development is responsible for creating and implementing the annual fundraising plan. This includes foundation corporate, government and individual donor support. Additionally, he/she will steward and manage the Young Executive Board, implement creative communication outreach, and coordinate corporate volunteer efforts.  The Director of Development will partner with the senior leadership team which includes the Executive Director, Director of Programs and Operations Manager and interact directly with Board members.

 

Responsibilities

  • Manage one full-time employee

  • Supervise and work with outside graphic designers, grant writers, government lobbyists and website developers, as necessary

  • Manage the entire grants process,--the preparation, submission and reporting for all  fundraising proposals

  • Plan and implement the annual spring gala, cultivation events and author talks

  • Coordinate with current corporate partners on sponsorships, volunteer activities and pitch new partnership initiatives

  • Help acquire new donors, cultivate and steward current donors, and reactivate lapsed donors

  • Oversee the implementation/calendar of non-ask donor communications designed to engage the existing donor base through consistent, strategic outreach and engagement

  • Oversee the administration and maintenance of the Salesforce donor database

  • Report out quarterly on fundraising benchmark progress, including contributed income, institutional funding, donors renewed, reactivated and acquired

  • Attend and present at Board meetings

 

Qualifications:

  • Minimum five years’ experience in dynamic and successful fundraising

  • Excellent writing and oral communications skills

  • Experience hiring and managing a small staff

  • Prior Salesforce (or CRM) database management experience preferred

  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to work independently

  • Proven track record of working in a collaborative environment, with demonstrated success in raising funds from individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government sources

  • A get-it-done personality that is entrepreneurial, strategic, and people focused

  • Demonstrated ability in planning, revenue generation, and analytics to drive measurable results and focus resources on work that will accelerate revenue growth

  • Ability to use Google Docs, Word, Excel, Salesforce, PowerPoint/reporting tools

 

Salary and Benefits

Salary range is $105,000 - $115,000.  Benefits include 75% health care coverage, a flexible hybrid work environment that prioritizes work-life balance, an employer-sponsored 403-b plan, 20 days paid vacation plus holidays and a week off between Christmas and the New Year.

 

To Apply

Send a cover letter and resume to Executive Director, Andrew Frank, at andrew@behindthebook.org

Behind the Book is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, family responsibilities, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization.