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Chief Development & Communication Officer

About Urban Pathways 

Founded in 1975, Urban Pathways (UP) is a not-for-profit, social service and supportive housing organization serving homeless adults in the New York Metropolitan Area. As a data-driven and innovative leader, Urban Pathways ensures that homeless and at-risk New Yorkers have the housing, services and support they need to be self-sufficient.

The “way home” is different for each person who is homeless. For some, it is a short journey from the streets to return to a supportive family. For others, it is a path to an apartment of their own. At Urban Pathways, our dedicated staff support and guide homeless men and women by providing housing and services that improve their quality of life. We help individuals regain their sense of dignity and make informed choices for their future.

Chief Development & Communication Officer

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Development & Communication Officer will develop and implement a robust fundraising and communications strategy to increase Urban Pathway’s visibility, impact, and financial resources. This leader will have primary responsibility for establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to grow a $34M budget through the solicitation of major gifts, federal and state grants, special events, and corporate and foundation support. In addition, they will develop and own a cohesive communications strategy that advances Urban Pathways mission and aligns with the strategic plan and organizational values.

They will expand and diversify Urban Pathways major donor base/pipeline and work closely with other team members to secure funding for new initiatives. In addition, this person will work closely with the board of directors and support board members as they take on a more active fundraising role.

It is expected that the amount raised by Urban Pathways Nonprofit will increase in future years as the Chief Development & Communication Officer systematically and effectively strengthens the organization's overall brand messaging and fundraising capacity.

Strategic Vision and Leadership

 

  • Create and implement a comprehensive development strategy to include major gifts, special events, government grants & contracts, planned giving, corporate giving and foundation support.

  • Pursue innovative streams of income and partnerships to diversify sources of support, ensuring that there are resources to support the expansion and innovation of programs, and that funds are allocated properly to reflect present needs and future potential. 

  • Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to cultivate a culture of philanthropy; serve as a motivational force in fundraising efforts across all levels of staffing.

  • Evaluate the organization’s strategies for fundraising and set new goals each year to continually drive a donor-centered and segmented fundraising approach to better meet Urban Pathways mission and organizational objectives. 

  • Continue to build upon the major gifts program by cultivating deeper ties with existing donors and identifying prospective donors. 

  • Develop a planned giving program that will enable Urban Pathways to leverage support from existing donors.

  • Inspire, empower and mentor the 5-person development team; assess talent needs to implement major fundraising initiatives and make strategic recommendations on the development team structure.

  • Oversee the maintenance of the development database, ensuring that all fundraising activities are accurately recorded and donors are recognized appropriately.

  • Oversee research funding sources and trends, with foresight, to help position Urban Pathways ahead of major funding changes or trends.

  • Monitor all donor information; provide and present statistical analysis to board and senior leaders.

  • Design and drive growth initiatives that enable organization to tap into new segments of the donor marketplace effectively and efficiently. 

Communications & External Relations

 

  • Design, implement, and assess content, messaging and engagement strategies that will position Urban Pathways for broader impact and success.

  • Create innovative, multi-channel communications content to grow and mobilize the funder base, educate audiences, and shift narratives around homelessness. 

  • Develop nuanced messaging that can cater to different audiences (funders, staff, program participants, volunteers) and communicate complex ideas to a variety of stakeholders.

  • Partner with the Director of Policy to ensure that advocacy communication strategies are positioned correctly.

  • Lead Urban Pathway’s social media strategy to grow a more robust online presence; manage digital communication campaigns and content across email, web, and social media platforms.

  • Ensure that communications and marketing strategies are consistently articulated both internally and externally.

  • Collaborate closely with the marketing team on all development-related marketing materials and communications. 

Qualifications

 

  • A visionary, strategy-oriented fundraising generalist with a track-record of success growing and diversifying revenue streams at an organization of similar size and complexity providing direct services. 

  • Proven success in constructing, articulating, and implementing an annual strategic development plan.

  • Proven ability to personally develop strategies, cultivate, solicit and steward major donors and to inspire high-net worth individuals and major foundations to financial leadership. 

  • An energetic spirit and an authentic passion for serving the homeless.

  • Strong understanding of government grants & contracts.

  • Tangible experience of having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time.

  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.

  • A compelling storyteller with demonstrated success in developing innovative communications strategies to strengthen nonprofit brand and reputation. 

  • Demonstrates maturity and leadership with the ability to serve as a collaborative and unifying force and to position communications and fundraising discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels.

  • Experience training and working with executives, senior staff and board members in development-related activities, providing them with quality support and intelligence, and increasing their comfort with and success in fundraising. 

  • Demonstrated experience with donor management software (Raiser’s Edge preferred).

 

Compensation

This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated professional to assume a pivotal role in the evolution of a highly respected organization. We are seeking an individual of outstanding quality with a respected track record. Urban Pathways is prepared to offer a very attractive compensation package, including a competitive base salary as well as health, 401(k), and vacation benefits. 

 

This position description is based upon material provided by Urban Pathways an equal opportunity employer.

 

 

Yasmine Coccoli

Talent Consultant

ycoccoli@drgsearch.com

                                                  

Adam Norse

Talent Consultant

anorse@drgsearch.om

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