Marketing and Communications Director of Institutional Advancement
Job Description
The Urban Assembly seeks an experienced and mission-driven advancement professional to join our executive team. This position will lead development and communications initiatives at an exciting time in the organization’s history that includes:
- Growth in New York thanks to strong strategic partnerships with the NYC mayoral administration and Department of Education
- National replication of the Urban Assembly model
- New Board members and a new Board leadership team
- A strategic initiative to elevate the voices of students to advance equity in public education
ABOUT THE URBAN ASSEMBLY
The Urban Assembly The Urban Assembly (UA) is a non-profit organization providing leadership and programmatic support to unique, small public secondary schools throughout NYC. Our mission is to advance social and economic mobility by improving public education. UA schools are open to all students, and the UA prepares students for success in the 21st century economy through programming in academics, social emotional learning, college access, career readiness, and leadership.
The UA’s Commitment to Equity The UA values the uniqueness that each student brings into our schools, and our work honors the various social and cultural contexts from which they come. We acknowledge the barriers created by education systems – of which we are a part – to perpetuate the social inequities that keep Black and Latinx students from accessing postsecondary and career opportunities. Starting with our own practice, we commit to dismantling these barriers.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Director of Institutional Advancement will provide leadership, strategic direction and management for all Urban Assembly fundraising, communication, and branding efforts. The Director will create and build upon fundraising strategies that increase the organization’s support from individuals andcorporations while maintaining its strong support from private foundations and government sources. As the Urban Assembly is beginning to serve students beyond NYC, the Director will also be charged to expand support from national foundations. This position reports to the CEO and oversees two advancement managers.
Responsibilities
- Develop an annual fundraising plan and lead a process to support growth in donations from local and national foundations, corporations, individuals, and government entities
- Work with the CEO and the board to cultivate and manage relationships with renewing and new donors, with focus on expanding and diversifying the donor roster and ensuring donors’ alignment with the UA’s commitment to racial equity
- Work with the whole UA team to build the board, with particular focus on rising talent with experience advancing racial equity and education reform
- Develop and maintain systems to cultivate all of the UA’s external constituents through personal outreach, invitations, school visits, special events, publications and correspondence
- Secure and steward government funding, including a multi-year NYC Department of Education contract as well as other city, state and federal opportunities
- Supervise a team of two advancement managers
- Establish and maintain relationships with program officers and representatives of current foundation and corporate supporters; support and participate in writing major grant proposals
- Identify, cultivate and solicit individuals in support of Urban Assembly’s mission and maintain relationships with a roster of major donors
- Oversee production of semi-annual benefit, as well as other fundraising and cultivation events
- With the Urban Assembly’s leadership team and board, contribute to decision-making regarding organizational strategy and organization sustainability
- Work closely with Urban Assembly’s executive team, board development committee, development department and school support teams to implement strategic marketing and communication initiatives
- Nurture and facilitate board relationships in order to support board effectiveness in their fundraising responsibilities.
- Oversee efforts to build and amplify the UA brand among the UA’s various constituencies
Qualifications
- Demonstrated track record of securing resources for investment in Black and Latinx communities
- Experience presenting asset-based narratives about Black and Latinx students
- Major individual donor, foundation and events experience of five years or more
- Success at meeting ambitious revenue goals
- Proven track record in the solicitation of gifts $25,000 and above
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Demonstrated relationship management skills
- Proven experience managing staff
- Commitment to internal collaboration
- Experience navigating the grant-making process of local and national foundations
- Marketing & Communications experience preferred
