Director of Development

About The OrganizationFigure Skating in Harlem is a nonprofit organization entering its 30th anniversary of dedication to empowering girls and young women through education, leadership development, and access to opportunity through the sport of figure skating. As the organization enters a transformative period of growth—including a major capital initiative to build its own rink—we are seeking a strategic, highly organized, and proactive Director of Development to help lead and execute our fundraising efforts.Position SummaryThe Director of Development supports the Chief Growth Officer in executing the organization’s annual fundraising strategy across individual giving, institutional giving, corporate partnerships, donor stewardship, and special events. This role will serve as the operational lead for development activities and work closely with the Chief Growth Officer to support revenue growth, strengthen donor engagement, and build sustainable fundraising systems. The Director of Development will oversee all planning, coordination, and execution of the organization’s annual gala and other fundraising events, managing all pre-event logistics internally while partnering with external consultants and vendors for design support and day-of event execution. This position will also play a growing role in corporate sponsorship strategy and relationship management. Corporate partnerships will initially be a shared responsibility with senior leadership and transition more fully to this role over time. The Director of Development will work collaboratively with the organization’s Director of Communications & External Affairs to ensure alignment across fundraising, government relations, corporate engagement, communications, and institutional strategy. The role will also receive operational and administrative support from a shared Development & Operations Coordinator. The ideal candidate is strategic, highly organized, self-directed, and execution-oriented.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelopment Strategy & Revenue ExecutionPartner with the Chief Growth Officer to execute the organization’s annual fundraising plan and revenue strategy, especially major donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation effortsManage timelines, deliverables, and execution across fundraising initiativesIn coordination with Chief Growth Officer, maintain and strengthen donor pipelines and moves management systems; prepare donor materials, briefing documents, proposals, and stewardship reportsTrack fundraising performance and provide regular reporting and analysisProactively identify opportunities, challenges, and operational needs across the development functionInstitutional Giving & GrantsManage grant calendar, deadlines, reporting, and submissions for non-government fundersDraft and coordinate foundation and institutional grant proposals and reportsMaintain relationships and records for private and institutional fundersEnsure compliance with grant requirements and reporting timelinesGala & Special EventServe as project lead for the organization’s annual gala and fundraising eventsManage all pre-event planning, coordination, timelines, logistics, and internal executionOversee sponsorship outreach and fulfillment, invitation management, auction coordination, seating, vendor coordination, and event communicationsPartner with external consultants and vendors on graphic design, production support, and day-of event executionManage post-event stewardship and donor follow-up plansCollaborate with board members, host committees, and leadership to drive event fundraising successYoung Professionals Board ManagementServe as primary staff lead for the organization’s Young Professionals BoardManage board communications, meetings, engagement strategies, and event coordinationSupport fundraising initiatives, membership cultivation, and volunteer leadership developmentCorporate PartnershipsSupport development and stewardship of corporate sponsorship relationshipsWork collaboratively with senior leadership and the Director of Communications & External Affairs on sponsorship strategy and outreachOver time, assume increasing ownership of corporate partnership management and revenue generationDevelopment Operations & StewardshipPartner with the Development & Operations Coordinator to oversee donor acknowledgment and stewardship systemsEnsure database accuracy, gift processing integrity, and strong donor record managementOversee gift reconciliation processes between development and financeImprove systems and workflows to increase efficiency and donor experienceQualifications5-8 years of progressively responsible, nonprofit development experienceProven experience independently managing fundraising events and complex projectsStrong writing and communication skills, including experience in grant writingExperience managing multiple fundraising streams and deadlines simultaneouslyAbility to work independently and proactively in a fast-paced environmentDemonstrated self-direction, initiative, and strong project ownershipHighly organized with strong project management skills and attention to detailCollaborative, solutions-oriented, and adaptablePreferred QualificationsExperience in arts, education, youth development, or mission-driven organizationsExperience supporting capital campaigns or major organizational growth initiativesExperience with Raiser’s Edge preferredKnowledge of the figure skating landscape, including familiarity with the skating community, competitive ecosystem, relationships within the sport and/or passion for sports-based youth developmentRequired To Apply A cover letter detailing your interest in Figure Skating in Harlem’s mission, experience, and qualifications Resume A work sample or project for which you were the primary producer (annual report, grant, proposal, etc, redacted if needed)