Director of Communications & Fundraising

Urban Homesteading Assistance U-HAB Inc•New York, NY

20h•$90,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

UHAB empowers low- to moderate-income residents to take control of their housing and enhance communities by creating strong tenant associations and lasting affordable co-ops. Since 1973, UHAB has helped form hundreds of tenant associations and transformed troubled rental buildings into 1,200 affordable co-ops, providing homeownership opportunities for over 25,000 families. With democratic community control at the core of our mission, we work to sustain this thriving affordable housing community for this generation and those to come. We organize residents to be active participants and decision-makers in shaping their neighborhoods. UHAB’s programs address a full spectrum of affordable housing needs: from building resident power and organizing tenants as community leaders, to developing thousands of units of affordable housing across the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, to making loans to first-time homeowners, to preserving affordable co-ops through training, education, and technical assistance. UHAB’s programs address the needs of future generations through long-term solutions: developing new affordable co-ops, increasing energy efficiency and introducing renewable technologies, and strengthening housing policy. At UHAB, we’re more than a housing nonprofit, we’re a movement for economic justice and community empowerment. We offer a supportive, values-driven workplace where your work makes a tangible impact on people’s lives. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director of Communications & Fundraising serves as a key member of UHAB's Advancement team, leading the organization's communications strategy, donor engagement efforts, and public-facing initiatives. As UHAB expands its national partnerships and climate and resiliency initiatives, the Director plays an increasingly important role in positioning the organization as a leader in permanently affordable, resident-controlled housing. The Director is responsible for elevating UHAB's visibility, strengthening relationships with funders and partners, and translating the organization's impact into compelling narratives that advance fundraising, advocacy, and strategic growth. The Director develops and executes integrated communications campaigns, oversees major advancement events, supports institutional and individual fundraising efforts, and ensures consistency in UHAB's messaging and brand.

Requirements

5+ years of experience working in nonprofit fundraising, including grant writing and institutional fundraising experience
Demonstrated success managing communications campaigns and donor engagement initiatives
Exceptional writing and editing skills
Experience developing digital communications strategies and managing organizational websites and social media
Experience coordinating complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
Proficiency with CRM databases, email marketing platforms, and content management systems
Commitment to housing justice, community development, and resident leadership

Nice To Haves

Experience in affordable housing, community development, or social justice organizations
Experience producing public events and conferences
Graphic design and multimedia storytelling experience
Spanish fluency
Familiarity with cooperative housing models

Responsibilities

Develop and implement UHAB's annual communications strategy to advance the organization's fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement goals
Lead organizational storytelling efforts by identifying and elevating the impact of UHAB's programs, residents, and partners
Ensure consistency of UHAB's messaging, voice, and visual identity across all communications channels and materials
Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer and senior leadership to identify strategic opportunities to increase UHAB's visibility and strengthen its position as a leader in permanently affordable, resident-controlled housing
Monitor best practices in nonprofit communications and recommend new tools, approaches, and strategies to enhance UHAB's communications efforts
Oversee and maintain UHAB's website, coordinating with departments to ensure content remains accurate, timely, and reflective of organizational priorities
Develop and execute UHAB's digital communications strategy across social media, email, and web platforms
Create, manage, and publish content across UHAB's social media channels, including written content, photography, video, and other multimedia assets
Produce and oversee the development of organizational communications materials, including newsletters, annual and quarterly reports, press releases, impact stories, and special publications
Track and analyze website, email, and social media performance metrics and use findings to inform future communications strategies
Maintain and organize UHAB's digital asset library, including photographs, videos, testimonials, and archival materials
Collect and document stories, interviews, and testimonials that highlight the experiences of the communities UHAB serves
Partner with the Chief Advancement Officer to support the implementation of UHAB's fundraising strategy and advancement goals
Lead the communications strategy, content development, and execution of annual individual donor campaigns and other fundraising initiatives
Develop donor-facing communications, including appeal materials, stewardship pieces, impact reports, acknowledgment communications, and campaign messaging
Support institutional fundraising efforts through proposal development, narrative framing, editing, and preparation of funder materials and reports
Conduct prospect research to identify foundations, corporations, public agencies, and individual donors aligned with UHAB's mission and strategic priorities.
Maintain and manage donor and prospect information within UHAB's CRM system to support relationship management and fundraising efforts.
Collaborate with program staff to translate program outcomes, resident stories, and organizational impact into compelling fundraising and stewardship materials.
Lead communications planning and promotion for UHAB's annual gala and other public events, including panels, exhibitions, screenings, conferences, and community celebrations.
Develop and manage event communications timelines, promotional materials, invitations, registration systems, and attendee communications.
Coordinate with external vendors, consultants, media representatives, and partners to support successful event execution.
Produce and oversee the development of event-related materials, including programs, presentations, signage, slide decks, and digital content.
Support efforts to cultivate relationships with stakeholders, elected officials, funders, and partners through strategic events and public engagement opportunities.
Serve as a communications partner to program teams by identifying opportunities to amplify programmatic successes, innovations, and emerging initiatives.
Work collaboratively across departments to ensure organizational priorities and impact are reflected consistently in external communications.
Support cross-department initiatives that advance UHAB's strategic growth, including emerging national partnerships and climate and resiliency efforts.
Assist senior leadership in preparing presentations, board materials, and external communications that advance UHAB's mission and strategic objectives.
Coordinate internal communications initiatives, including staff announcements, organizational updates, and selected board communications.
Support the development and dissemination of materials for board and management meetings, including reports, presentations, and meeting documentation.
Identify opportunities to improve internal communications processes and strengthen knowledge-sharing across the organization.
Collaborate with operations staff and external vendors to maintain effective organizational communications systems and tools as needed.

Benefits

free and affordable medical and dental plans
long-term disability insurance
a 403b retirement plan
medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
3 weeks of paid vacation for new employees and 4 weeks of paid vacation after 2 years of employment
13 paid holidays
2 Floating Holidays
12 sick days
8 remote flex days
1 personal day per year