Senior Director of Development

Title: Senior Director of Development, New York City

Location: New York, NY

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports to: Vice President Downstate Regional Operations

Compensation: $90,000-$140,000

Competitive athletes share certain qualities: drive; perseverance; confidence. For athletes with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics New York provides a training ground where those qualities are given room to grow. Special Olympics New York athletes compete on a level playing field and challenge themselves in fair and even competition. They develop character, make friends, and find unknown wells of determination within themselves.

The transformative power of sports to instill confidence, improve health, and inspire a sense of competition is at the core of Special Olympics. Special Olympics New York provides inclusive opportunities for 48,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities to discover and unleash the champion within. Our athletes experience the thrill of competing in authentic sports, finding joy, confidence, and fulfillment on the playing field and in life.

Special Olympics New York is seeking strategic, mission-focused candidates for the Senior Director of Development position. Successful candidates are relationship builders who are skilled at developing strategies for effective donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and event management. The ideal candidate will meaningfully support fundraising’s full lifecycle with the skills, sensitivity, personality, and experience to contribute to Special Olympics New York's culture of inclusion and collaboration. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the lifeline that Special Olympics provides for athletes and their families, and to help light the fire within New York’s striving, thriving athletes.

Our mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them ongoing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

The Special Olympics mission remains as vital today as it did when the movement was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Special Olympics New York was incorporated in 1970 and today, Special Olympics New York is the largest program in the United States and one of the largest in the world.

JOB SUMMARY: Senior Director of Development is responsible for implementing the Development Plan of the market and/or goals and objectives as assigned. Develop and nurture with individuals and corporations to assist Special Olympics New York in achieving fund raising goals and objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare, present and/or participate in public information presentations.
• Prospect, cultivate and steward corporate partnerships to secure funding.
• Assist in the research and development of grant proposals for foundation support.
• Manage staff and projects as assigned.
• Manage assigned fund-raising, development and special events projects in conjunction with other staff members and volunteers.
• Strong working knowledge of social media.
• Responsible for achieving fund raising initiatives from $500,000 - $1,000,000 through corporate giving, special events and major gifts.. This includes securing $250,000 of new revenue.
• Cultivate and maintain a positive rapport and open lines of communication with individuals who can assist Special Olympics New York, Inc. in reaching our fund raising goals and objectives.
• Develop cause-related marketing proposals for commercial enterprises.
• Supervise and direct support staff in their duties and responsibilities.
• Recruit and provide training workshops for volunteers for specific fund-raising events/projects.
• May be required to provide regular and/or special reports as directed.
• Inclusion, Unified Sports and the Unified Champion School programming are present and prioritized in the foundation of our core elemental movement, found embedded in our seasonal and annual calendar, and activity. All staff members hold responsibilities collaterally and fundamentally for inclusive mission and the Unified programming.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: Bachelor Degree from an accredited college/university in a related field or equivalent, planning, marketing, and management is preferred. Minimum of 7 years experience including knowledge of fundraising campaigns and special events with statewide authority and jurisdiction and managing staff. Experience in a not-for-profit organization is recommended.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to interact effectively with people and communicate verbally and in writing.
2. Must possess excellent writing skills and public presentation capabilities for both small and large groups.
3. Proven performer in administration, management, aptitude for working independently and cooperatively and be able to motivate staff, volunteers and professionals from all disciplines.
4. Operating knowledge of the budgeting process, fund-raising and public relations operations are essential.
5. General computer proficiency, competence with Microsoft Office Suite, and working knowledge of Raisers Edge NXT preferred.
6. Able to work under pressure and meet multiple priorities and deadlines.
7. Knowledge of the mission and function of Special Olympics New York, including sports training and athletic competition programs are required.
8. Ability to plan and execute digital marketing and social media plan
9. A valid NY State Driver’s License..

In addition to the responsibilities identified above, may be requested or required to perform other duties and/or responsibilities, by management on a non-regular basis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Office setting requiring minimal physical effort including standing, bending, walking, sitting for long periods and light lifting (5-30 pounds) for short distances as well as occasional travel.

FLEXIBLE HOURS: Occasional travel and weekend/evening duties are required.

Please submit a cover letter, resume to Special Olympics New York, Inc. at resumes@nyso.org. Please reference “NYCSDD” in the subject line.

Special Olympics New York is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, neurodiversity, age, parental status, socio-economic background, military service, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.