Director of Development, Top Human Service Organization

BACKGROUND: Services for the UnderServed (S:US) transforms lives, improves communities, and helps break the cycle of poverty for future generations. Founded in 1978, S:US envisions a city where everyone has a roof over their head, is healthy and productive, and can enjoy the social connections that create a life of purpose.

Today, S:US provides $250 million in services and supports to transform the lives of more than 37,000 of New York City’s most vulnerable individuals, including people with disabilities, people in poverty, and people facing homelessness. The uniqueness of S:US lies in its ability to treat the whole person. The organization provides a broad range of services to address needs, including affordable housing and shelter; treatment and rehabilitation; skills-building, job training, and employment opportunities; crisis services; care coordination; anti-eviction assistance; family support; home- and community-based services; and therapeutic horticulture, nutrition programming, and urban farming.

Headquartered in Manhattan, S:US, one of New York City’s largest healthcare not-for-profits (excluding hospitals), is regarded as a leader and innovator, with programs and housing sites in all five boroughs of New York City and on Long Island. For more information about how S:US transforms lives, improves neighborhoods, and uplifts future generations, please visit sus.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY: The Director of Development will build a solid infrastructure for all giving from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and will be responsible for the implementation and oversight of the program. The portfolio includes the identification, cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship of prospects and donors to secure, sustain, and expand the S:US donor base. He/she/they will maximize fundraising opportunities and achieve revenue targets that build upon existing efforts and results and further grow the organization’s capacity to increase philanthropic revenue. This is a role for a self-starter who is creative and entrepreneurial as well as savvy about current trends in fundraising and donor engagement. The S:US organizational culture is one of innovation, caring, kindness, and respect for one another and the individuals and communities it serves.

The Director of Development reports to the Chief Development Officer and works collaboratively with the Development and Marketing/Communications teams, as well as with Program and Finance staff. Reporting to the Director of Development is a Development Coordinator.

FUNDING: S:US has a current operating budget of approximately $250 million, with more than 99% of its funding from government grants and contracts. In FY 19 (pre-COVID-19), private contributed revenue was $2,172,000. The organization has established this newly created role to work with leadership to help build out the private source fundraising program and to create a more robust culture of philanthropy.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• A genuine passion for the S:US mission.
• Current with established and emerging tactics in fundraising.
• Familiar with the entire range of development approaches—individual giving to corporate and foundation support, and direct marketing.
• Track record as an innovator and a builder, having successfully identified and secured new sources of funding through traditional and non-traditional approaches.
• Demonstrated track record of accomplishment as a development generalist.
• An understanding of the social service sector and its unique funding sources and challenges.
• History of successful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Knowledge of the NYC business, government, and philanthropic communities.
• Ability to navigate a large, complex organization with many moving parts and priorities.
• Experience diversifying the donor base to include donors from historically underrepresented groups.
• Solid working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge and other fundraising tools.
• Practical understanding of managing budgets and fundraising data.
• A genuine commitment to DEI in principle and in practice in all aspects of work.
• Cultivated sociability—one who enjoys and feels charged by networking and relationship building with potential donors.
• Persuasive communication and presentation skills.
• Socially adept and at ease with a broad range of individuals.
• Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in human services or a related field is desirable.

Please email your resume and letter of interest to SUS-DoD@howe-lewis.com