Director of Advancement

GrowNYC • New York, NY

just now • $180,000 - $195,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Advancement serves as GrowNYC’s senior leader responsible for all revenue generation and external engagement strategies. This role oversees the development and execution of a comprehensive advancement program that secures philanthropic, corporate, foundation, and government resources to support the organization’s mission, programs, and long-term sustainability.
This role combines strategic leadership with direct fundraising responsibility, including management of a portfolio of major donors and institutional partners capable of making six- and seven-figure investments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in fundraising or advancement, nonprofit management, fundraising, communications, or related fields
• Demonstrated success securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations, or government sources.
• Experience leading teams and managing multi-revenue fundraising programs.
• Experience working with nonprofit Boards and senior leadership.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational leadership, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Analytical skills for donor data analysis and strategy development.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and donor databases.
• Commitment to GrowNYC’s mission and values related to sustainability, food access, and community impact.

Nice To Haves

• Passion for social justice and a working knowledge with regards to cultural fluency and inclusiveness.
• Knowledge of sustainable agriculture, farming, and food systems.
• Experience leading major campaigns or organizational growth initiatives.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential or progress toward certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all fundraising initiatives, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation and government funding, multi-year campaigns and special events.
• Develop and implement strategies to expand GrowNYC’s major donor pipeline and secure transformational gifts, including six- and seven-figure commitments.
• Maintain and grow a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, with responsibility for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Provide strategic oversight for institutional fundraising, including foundation grants, public funding opportunities, and agency partnerships.
• Oversee proposal strategy, development, submission, and reporting processes across funding streams.
• Ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and analysis of fundraising activity within the donor management system.
• Build and sustain long-term relationships with donors, corporate partners, foundations, community leaders, and strategic stakeholders.
• Partner with the CEO and Board leadership to strengthen Board engagement in fundraising, leverage Board networks, and support identification and cultivation of new prospects and partners.
• Support Board committees related to development and external affairs, including preparation of reports, presentations, and strategy updates.
• Develop and oversee stewardship strategies that enhance donor retention, satisfaction, and long-term engagement.
• Represent GrowNYC externally with donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Develop and execute a multi-year advancement strategy aligned with GrowNYC’s organizational priorities.
• Establish annual revenue goals, departmental work plans, and performance metrics; monitor progress and adjust strategies to achieve targets.
• Provide strategic oversight for external consultants and advisors supporting advancement and organizational priorities, including government relations and communications partners, ensuring alignment with GrowNYC’s goals and messaging.
• Oversee advancement infrastructure, systems, policies, and reporting tools to support effective decision-making and forecasting.
• Lead planning for major campaigns, milestone initiatives, and special fundraising priorities as needed.
• Provide strategic oversight for advancement communications, including donor communications, campaigns, impact reporting, and fundraising messaging, in partnership with communications staff.
• Collaborate with communications and marketing teams to elevate public awareness, donor engagement, and brand visibility.
• Support development of materials for fundraising campaigns, sponsorship outreach, and donor stewardship.
• Lead, manage, and develop the Advancement Team, including supervision of the Assistant Director and other staff.
• Establish clear goals, KPIs, accountability systems, and professional development plans for team members.
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and staff performance management in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Manage the advancement budget and ensure responsible financial planning and resource allocation.
• Monitor fundraising trends and adapt strategies to meet evolving organizational needs.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• long-term disability
• incentive savings plan
• paid time off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• potential for parental leave for full-time regular employees who have been employed with GrowNYC for 175 days
• FSA programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director