Development Director, NYC

About the Role

Reading Partners is a leader in working to solve the literacy crisis by leveraging volunteers in under-resourced schools. Our program provides one-on-one and small group tutoring to students twice weekly, helping children master reading fundamentals. As the Director of Development (DD) for our New York City region, you will lead the development department, responsible for raising $3.8M in private revenue in FY27 and continuing the region’s annual growth trajectory. You will design and execute a strategic and diversified development plan to raise funds through foundations, individuals, corporations, local government, and events. This role reports to the New York City Executive Director and manages the Development Manager for the NYC region.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising:
  • Serve as an external ambassador, developing and implementing strategies to engage individual, institutional, and local government funding streams.
  • Lead the planning and execution of fundraising events.
  • Ensure high-quality external communications, including grants and grant reports.
  • Deliver on a comprehensive and strategic development plan with a $3.8M private revenue goal.
• Board Management:
  • Partner with the executive director to engage the local advisory board to meet financial and advocacy goals.
  • Coordinate board meetings, sub-committees, and ad-hoc committees, including scheduling and preparing materials.
  • Maintain board member engagement to ensure retention and satisfaction.
  • Partner with the executive director to recruit diverse new board members.
  • Support the development manager in leading the regional associate board.
• Regional Leadership/Partnership:
  • Shape regional strategy and play a leadership role in implementing the region’s operating plan as part of the senior leadership team.
  • Work collaboratively with regional and national departments and staff.
  • Directly supervise and coach the development team, which currently includes a development manager.
  • Represent and role-model Reading Partners’ organizational culture and values.
• Development Operations:
  • Lead the development manager in moves management from donor identification to stewardship, ensuring accurate record-keeping in Salesforce.
  • Direct regular pipeline meetings to provide updated revenue figures and progress toward goals.
  • Support the collection of partnership and direct service revenue.
  • Identify areas for operational improvements and drive process enhancements.
• Other Duties:
  • Perform additional duties as needed.

How You’ll Accomplish It

• Strategy Development:
  • Devise innovative regional strategic fundraising plans and mobilize stakeholders to achieve goals.
  • Build sustainable plans to maximize market opportunities and grow funding.
  • Leverage systems, people, and resources to track progress and report to leadership.
  • Execute work in a highly organized, analytical, and data-informed manner.
• External Relations and Communication:
  • Demonstrate advanced experience in external relations, corporate alignment, and board management.
  • Deliver convincing messaging and connect with donors and stakeholders.
  • Serve as an ambassador of Reading Partners, establishing credibility with external audiences.
• New Revenue Generation:
  • Drive development efforts in rapidly growing organizations, particularly in New York City.
  • Hit fundraising goals, generate new funding sources, and run sophisticated campaigns.
  • Demonstrate success in donor cultivation and a strong drive for external relationship building.
• People Leadership:
  • Collaborate with the executive director and cross-organizational teams to meet fundraising goals.
  • Coach, grow, and create stretch assignments to develop future fundraising leaders.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of increasing responsibility in a development or related role, including 3 years of team management or leadership.
• Exceptional and persuasive communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong relationship-building skills and a collaborative approach.
• Demonstrated track record of achieving aggressive fundraising goals.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.
• Deep belief in Reading Partners’ mission and alignment with core values.
• Ability to prove eligibility to work legally in the U.S. and be at least 18 years of age.

Bonus Points: Experience as an AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, or other national service alum/alumna, or experience working in launch or growth phases of organizations.

Benefits

Reading Partners offers a comprehensive benefits program designed to support employees and their families with physical, mental, and financial health:

• Health & Insurance Benefits:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance with substantial employer contributions for employee and family premiums.
  • Life and disability insurance at no cost to employees.
  • Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Pre-Tax Medical Support: Significant employer funding to offset out-of-pocket medical expenses, including first-dollar coverage for some plan options.
• Mental Health Support: Spring Health for easy access to therapy, coaching, and wellness resources, including six sessions at no cost.
• Inclusive Health Support: Carrot for guidance related to hormonal health, fertility, family-building, and gender-affirming services.
• Retirement Benefits: 403(b) retirement plan with immediate eligibility and employer matching contributions.
• Paid Time Off:
  • Flexible Paid Time Off (Unlimited PTO).
  • Paid Parental Leave for up to 8 weeks for birth and non-birth parents.
• Holidays & Office Closures: 14 paid holidays annually, plus one week of office closure in early July and two weeks in late December.
• Culture & Growth: A dynamic, mission-driven culture with a strong commitment to employee development and career growth.

Schedule

This role is hybrid, with 2-3 days in the office as needed. Travel is required throughout NYC for funder visits, board meetings, and occasional travel to Reading Partners’ National Headquarters in Oakland, CA.

Pay

This is a full-time, exempt, and salaried position with a pay range of $98,007 - $122,508 per year. Salaries are adjusted for candidates in different geographic regions and are based on objective, external market data. Reading Partners does not engage in salary negotiations.