Director of Individual Engagement

Job Title: Director of Individual Engagement

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt Salaried

Supervisor: Vice President of Development and Communications

Direct Report: Development Associate

About Us: 

Row New York is a unique sports-based non-profit organization founded on the premise that the discipline and teamwork that rowing instills, when combined with rigorous academic support, has the power to change lives. Our Youth Program serves over 250 high school student-athletes from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is a high dosage, year-round rowing and academic program with a goal of ensuring that 100% of our young people graduate high school and matriculate to college or begin an alternative post secondary plan. In addition, we offer rowing to New Yorkers of all ages who are either military veterans or people with physical or cognitive disabilities. Lastly, Row New York offers a fee-for-service rowing program for New York City independent high schools and summer learn to row programs. Our programs are offered at two program sites: Upper Manhattan and Flushing Meadows Corona Park, with an additional rowing site in Canarsie, Brooklyn. 

Row New York is wrapping up a comprehensive capital campaign to construct a state-of-the-art boathouse in Upper Manhattan to house its programs. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2024.

This position is partially remote and involves some in-person work. Local residency in the New York City metro-area is required. Row New York mandates that all staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Position Summary: 

The Director of Individual Engagement is a critical strategist for Row New York’s fundraising efforts and is crucial to ensuring the success of Row New York’s current and future programs and operations. The Director of Individual Engagement will manage our individual donor pipeline by strategizing and developing cultivation plans with the Executive Director and VP of Development and Communications, in addition to identifying, cultivating, and soliciting their own portfolio of 50-100 donors. An ideal candidate is an experienced major gifts professional, an excellent project manager, has a passion for making an impact and leading, and thrives in a team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities:

Plan and execute Row New York’s annual giving and major gifts strategy to meet fundraising goals  In collaboration with the Executive Director and VP of Development and Communications, create relationship management teams for major donors that leverage key staff, board members and partners Maintain a portfolio of 50-100 donors and prospects by developing and implementing strategies for establishing and strengthening these relationships Solicit and close gifts with a focus on upgrading current mid-level donors who have the capacity to make annual gifts of $5,000+ Manage individual prospect research, execute systems to prioritize the identification and cultivation of prospects, develop giving profiles and strategies for engagement  Ensure senior staff are supported in their donor relations work, creating a moves management pipeline with stewardship, cultivation and solicitation touchpoints that include reminders, materials, and draft communications, as well as assisting with briefings, appointment scheduling and call reports Collaborate with other development staff to prepare for donor meetings, including developing meeting briefings and presentations, ensuring organizational leadership involved in pitch are prepared Develop and oversee individual giving campaigns that currently include digital fundraising, annual appeals, and cultivation events, including our Fall Benefit Collaborate on the strategy of grassroots fundraising/direct mail and online solicitation projects as well as other digital marketing efforts, and manage those projects as appropriate  Ensure all transactions related to annual giving are accurately documented and tracked in Salesforce; work closely with the finance team to reconcile recordkeeping Collaborate with the Executive Director and VP of Development and Communications on executing fundraising strategy for the capital campaign  Supervise the Development Associate, ensuring gifts are input into Salesforce and properly acknowledged, generating donor analysis reports for all lines of annual giving; utilize data and metrics to benchmark efforts, inform strategic and tactical decision-making, and identify broad-based solicitation opportunities 

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required  At least four to seven years of nonprofit fundraising experience, and at least three years working with individual donors Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills with exceptional attention to detail  Professionalism, discretion, sound judgment, and comfort working with senior leaders, community, and business leaders Ability to understand the motivations of others, inspire and compel others to action, and quickly build authentic and deep relationships Understanding of the role racial inequity, power and privilege play in society and applies this understanding to the workplace, projects and interactions Superb time management; ability to handle multiple tasks, adhere to deadlines and work well under pressure, both independently and as part of a team  Creative and resourceful with problem-solving mentality Experience running fundraising and cultivation events for donors and prospects Seasoned and strategic knowledge of donor/database management; proficiency in Salesforce strongly preferred  Supervisory experience preferred

Compensation & Benefits:

RNY is committed to paying our staff competitively amongst our peer organizations and equitably. We provide excellent benefits that support a healthy “work-life” balance. Our benefits include:

Affordable high-quality health, dental, and vision insurance 401K plan Fully paid parental leave Minimum of 25 paid PTO days per year plus paid holidays

How to Apply:
Submit a cover letter explaining the reasons you are interested in and qualified for the position and a resume to development@rownewyork.org with “Director of Individual Engagement" in the subject line. Only applicants asked to interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Row New York is an equal opportunity employer. We are firmly committed to affirmative action and strongly encourage people of color, women, veterans, LGBTQIA+, older candidates and candidates with disabilities to apply. We appreciate all applicants, but please be advised that our capacity allows us to only respond to those best qualified for the position.