Director of Development

Queens Botanical Garden

$110K — $120K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum 7 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, ideally in cultural or environmental sectors.
  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree and fundraising certifications preferred.
  • Proven supervisory experience with focus on team collaboration and staff development.
  • Strong relationship management skills for engaging internal and external stakeholders.
  • Proficiency in donor management software (preferably DonorPerfect) and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
  • Solid understanding of New York City fundraising landscape and enthusiasm for sustainability.

Responsibilities

  • Craft and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan to expand the operating budget and diversify funding sources.
  • Engage the Board of Trustees in fundraising initiatives, creating a culture of philanthropy within the organization.
  • Monitor and adapt fundraising strategies in collaboration with senior staff to ensure alignment with goals.
  • Develop proposals for major funders, emphasizing strong relationships with existing donors and institutional partners.
  • Lead the execution of individual giving programs and special events like the annual Rambling Rose Gala.
  • Oversee marketing and communications strategies to harmonize with the organization's strategic plan.
  • Streamline development operations and oversee budget management for the department.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance.
  • Generous PTO and paid holidays.
  • Discounts and access to cultural institutions through the Museums Council pass.
  • Pension and retirement savings plans available.
Full Job Description
Director of Development

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising Leadership & Strategy
  • Refresh and implement an ambitious fundraising plan designed to grow the organization's annual operating budget, diversify funding streams, and grow unrestricted revenue and major gifts, including naming opportunities.
  • Activate the Board of Trustees as ambassadors for fundraising through strategy sessions, committee work, and training, as needed, to develop a culture of philanthropy.
  • Closely track fundraising projections and strategize with Senior Staff to accordingly expand or alter planned activities; generate fundraising reports for the Board of Trustees.
  • Work with Executive Director and Senior Manager for Communications & Marketing to develop strategies for maximizing revenues.
  • Collaborate with fundraising and marketing consultants and partners as needed.

Institutional Giving
  • Strengthen relationships with existing institutional funders, including the City of New York, elected officials, and major foundation and corporate partners, with a focus on increasing support and securing multi-year commitments.
  • Liaise with leaders in Education/Programs, Visitor Services, Horticulture, Marketing, and other departments to identify fundable projects in accordance with QBG's new strategic plan; oversee ongoing work with Finance Department to ensure appropriate grant-tracking activities and accurate reporting.
  • Take the lead on proposal development for major funders and new prospects; work with Institutional Giving Manager and Development Assistant to ensure accurate and compelling proposals and reports for all institutional donors.
  • Lead the Garden's Corporate Sponsorship and collaborate as needed on Membership programs; collaborate with Marketing, Visitor Services, Education/Programs, Operations, and other departments to implement sponsorship and activation benefits.

Individual Giving & Special Events
  • Lead the Garden's existing Individual Giving programs, including the Adopt-a-Bench, Adopt-A-Tree, and Adopt-A-Garden initiatives.
  • Develop and execute compelling new individual giving campaigns using the Garden's communications channels and cultivation events with the Executive Director.
  • Establish relationships with current and potential major donors; create custom support and sponsorship packages based on donor interest.
  • Strategize to grow Membership revenue with Membership Coordinator and key staff.
  • Lead planning and execution of Rambling Rose Gala, the organization's annual fundraising gala, including devising strategies for revenue growth, and work with the Board Development Committee to implement such strategies; lead ideation for new special events, as needed.

Marketing and Communications
  • Oversee the work of the Senior Communications and Marketing Manager who manages all comms and marketing.
  • Work with Executive Director and Senior Communications and Marketing Manager to devise a marketing and comms plan aligned with 5-year strategic plan goals, and to develop strategies for maximizing revenues.
  • Ensure completion of Annual Report, printed materials, and other assets with clear brand fidelity and messaging.

Development Operations
  • Identify opportunities to streamline and strengthen development operations.
  • Oversee Department expense budgets; approve purchases in accordance with budgets.
  • Harness data from fundraising database (DonorPerfect) to develop moves management strategies for existing donors

Qualifications:
  • At least seven (7) years of progressively increasing responsibility, experience, and success in fundraising for a non-profit organization, preferably at cultural, educational, and/or environmental institutions
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; Master's degree and fundraising credentials preferred
  • Supervisory experience required; passion for fostering collaboration and excellence while promoting professional development of staff
  • Strong relationship manager; enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners
  • Familiarity with donor management software (DonorPerfect a plus); ease with using technology, including the Microsoft Office Suite
  • Superb verbal and written communication skills
  • Knowledge of the New York City fundraising landscape; enthusiasm for sustainability, environmental organizations and cultural institutions
  • Creativity, marketing savvy, and business development acumen; awareness of fundraising and marketing trends
  • Occasional evening and weekend work required for special and public events

Schedule:

This is a full-time, exempt position with weekly on-site work, and some flexibility to work remotely. Benefits offered include excellent medical, vision, dental and life insurance, generous PTO, paid holidays, employee discounts, access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions, pension and other retirement savings plans. Schedule is generally Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work.

Salary Range: $110,000 - 120,000

For consideration, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant documents via our Career Center.

If you encounter difficulties with uploading documents to the portal, please send via email to Human Resources.

Health & Safety: proof of full Covid-19 vaccination strongly recommended for employment.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Queens Botanical Garden

  • Director of Development
    $110K — $120K *
    Flushing, NY 11355 (Queens County)
    Education, Government & Non-Profit
    In-Person

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Director of Development jobs: