Director of Development and Communications

YMCA OF YONKERS INC•City of Yonkers, NY

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development and Communications leads the YMCA of Yonkers fundraising, external relations, and communications strategy. This role is responsible for generating new revenue, strengthening a sustainable donor base, and increasing organizational visibility and community engagement. This is a senior leadership role focused on building and operationalizing the YMCA’s development function. The position drives strategy, systems, and relationships necessary to support long-term financial sustainability and growth. The Director oversees fundraising efforts across grants, individual giving, corporate partnerships, and special initiatives, while also leading communications and public-facing strategy. This role works closely with the President and CEO and Board of Directors to advance development priorities and expand the YMCA network of supporters. This position requires a hands-on, entrepreneurial approach with a strong focus on relationship building, revenue generation, and measurable outcomes. At the Y, our work is rooted in three key areas: Achievement: Empowering youth and families to build skills and long-term success; Relationships: Strengthening connections among residents, families, and community partners; Belonging: Creating inclusive environments where all individuals feel valued and supported.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
5-7 years of experience in fundraising, development, or communications
Proven success in securing funding and meeting revenue targets
Experience working with donors, institutional funders, and corporate partners
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to represent the organization effectively in external settings
Experience supervising staff and managing cross-functional initiatives

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred or equivalent experience
Experience building or expanding fundraising systems or donor pipelines preferred
Experience working with Boards or Board committees preferred
Experience with CRM systems (Daxko Core or similar preferred)
Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the organization’s fundraising strategy, execution, and performance outcomes
Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan aligned with organizational priorities
Oversee fundraising across grants, individual giving, corporate sponsorships, and special initiatives
Drive an annual fundraising goal of $500,000 to $750,000 in new revenue
Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with donors, funders, and partners
Build and manage a pipeline of funding opportunities
Establish systems and processes to support long-term development growth
Monitor performance and ensure progress toward revenue targets
Lead identification and pursuit of funding opportunities
Provide strategic oversight of grant development and submissions
Ensure alignment between funding opportunities and program priorities
Coordinate with internal teams to support successful grant applications and renewals
Serve as the primary contact for external communications and media relations
Develop and oversee organizational messaging and branding
Lead creation of marketing materials, reports, and storytelling initiatives
Supervise the Marketing Associate in executing communications strategies
Serve as staff lead for the Board Development Committee
Support planning, execution, and accountability of fundraising initiatives
Engage Board members in donor cultivation and fundraising efforts
Prepare reports and materials for Board and committee meetings
Supervise the Housing and Grants Manager and Marketing Associate
Establish expectations for data tracking, reporting, and communications
Ensure alignment between fundraising strategy and program reporting
Foster a collaborative and accountable team environment
Represent the YMCA in meetings with funders, partners, and stakeholders
Build and maintain relationships with community organizations and leaders
Expand the YMCA’s visibility and presence in the community