Director of External Affairs

Major Function and Purpose: The Director of External Affairs will direct and manage all fundraising, external communications, successful execution of grant submissions and event coordination. The director will manage the external affairs department and staff, ensuring accurate, timely, and effective communications.

Principal Responsibilities

Development
The director of external affairs will work with the executive director, director of finance
and human resources, director of education and board to set and meet revenue goals, maintaining all current funding streams and garnering several new sources of funding annually. This position includes the overall responsibility for securing individual, corporate, and foundation support (from renewals and new sources) for general operating purposes, special projects, both short and long term growth. The director will provide leadership with respect to the growth of the annual fund and the endowment by working closely with the appropriate chairs and committees. He/she will craft (oversee the crafting of) all appeals including personal solicitations, direct mail, and other fundraising endeavors; working closely with the executive director and various board members and committees. He/she will supervise a development staff and oversee the maintenance of the donor database, the accuracy of revenue recording, and will issue development reports as needed or requested. The director will work with the board and with related committees reporting fundraising progress, in writing and in person, to the full board four times each year.

Communications
The director of external affairs will work with public relations consultants and the
communications committee promoting all public awareness efforts. The director of external affairs will maintain corporate identity materials. All publicity materials representing Literacy Partners such as press kits, the annual report, PSA’s, and stationery will be the responsibility of the director, in consultation with the executive director. The director is responsible for agency written communications, including writing the newsletters, annual report, annual appeals, writing and dissemination of promotional materials, and electronic solicitations.

Special Events
The director will work with the executive director, gala and events committees and all event consultants regarding the planning and execution of events that entail fundraising, public awareness, donor cultivation, and donor recognition.

Participate as Senior Staff
The director will support the executive director, work with the director of finance and human resources, director of education and related board committees, will participate in agency-wide planning and decision making and will work towards full realization of the strategic plan. The director will work with program staff to assess and address institutional need.

Goals

• Exceed annual revenue goals
• Generate effective and precise communications on a timely basis
• Meet or exceed the objectives of the strategic plan
• Run development office professionally, smoothly and without interruption
• Work collaboratively with board, staff, and all external partners
• Generate newsletters, annual reports, proposals and all related communiqué
• Responsible for development and implementation of a comprehensive and innovative fund raising plan from individual, private, corporate and government sources
• Successfully participate in the annual review process of self and staff

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred with a minimum of 5 years senior staff and development experience
• Results oriented with documented successful fund raising experience
• Must share the passion of the organization to end adult illiteracy in NYC
• Demonstrated experience/proficiency with Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Office, Excel, ACCESS
• Knowledge of communications, cultivation, events planning, and public relations is essential
• Must be an energetic and flexible team player

How to Apply:

NO CALLS PLEASE!

Send resume with cover letter to:
jobs@literacypartners.org

or fax: 212-725-9740 Attn: Executive Director

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