Director of Development

Transportation Alternatives (TA), New York City's advocate for walking, bicycling, and public transportation, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a 50-year history of fighting for safer streets and better transportation in New York City. TA uses a combination of neighborhood-level grassroots organizing and city-wide advocacy to push for changes in public policy, street design, and resource allocation that transform our city’s streets for the better.

TA is a hybrid office and this role requires in office work 2-3 days per week as well as occasional nights and weekends.

Role Overview

The Director of Development will work closely with the management team to plan and execute a robust fundraising operation inclusive of individual giving, major events, and corporate and foundation partnerships. This role will oversee a team of five and have direct management over general development operations, budgets, and strategy. The right candidate is interested in building new relationships that enhance TA’s visibility, impact, and financial resources, is dedicated to mentoring a team, and has a passion for TA’s mission.

Reporting to the Director of Development is a team that currently includes the Part-time Development Manager, Events & Partnerships Manager, Development Coordinator, Development Marketing Associate, Part-time Graphic Designer and will be supported by a part-time Senior Advisor.

Major responsibilities

Individual Giving

• Plan and implement TA’s major gifts program (donors $1K+) with the goal of expanding and diversifying the organization’s major donor base and pipeline.
• Oversee all aspects of major fundraising campaigns, including urgent campaigns and the end-of-year appeal.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to the Development Coordinator who tracks major gifts, supports major donor cultivation and stewardship activities, and maintains donor data and files.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to the Development Manager and Development Marketing Associate who oversee the operation, growth, and refinement of TA’s Membership Program (donors under $1K).

Events

• Develop and implement an annual fundraising event strategy and calendar, setting well-defined deadlines and measurable goals.
• Play a lead role in designing and implementing major donor events and engagements, including the annual spring benefit, summer member party, and select stewardship and cultivation events ranging from receptions and talks to walking tours and social bike rides.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to the Events and Partnerships Manager who plays a lead role in tracking and analyzing event performance, communicating with internal and external stakeholders, managing vendors, contracts, and permits, fulfilling sponsor deliverables, and managing major event logistics and budgets.
• Work with the Communications Team to ensure cohesive production, coordination, and implementation of print, electronic, and social media outlet materials for events and other development activities.
• Continuously seek new, creative event ideas and opportunities in collaboration with TA’s Advocacy and Organizing team as well as external partners.

Corporate & Foundation Partnerships

• Manage relationships with corporate and foundation partners with the goal of strengthening, expanding, and diversifying the organization’s corporate and foundation giving base and pipeline.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to the Development Coordinator who plays a key role in managing the corporate foundation and foundation pipeline, drafting grant proposals and reports, tracking deadlines and deliverables, and general funder prospecting.
• In collaboration with the Events & Partnerships Manager, grow the Corporate Membership Program 
• Work with other teams and the Development Coordinator to identify funding priorities and craft compelling proposals.
• Review and edit grant applications and reports as needed.

Board Relations

• Work to engage the Board’s Development Committee and support their efforts to contribute, identify additional prospective major donors, and expand TA’s donor base.
• Support the ED and DD with reporting to, stewarding, and maintaining good governance for the Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and the Board’s Finance Committee.

Management & Administration

• Create an annual fundraising plan and work with direct reports to create strategies and pipelines that support the annual plan.
• Serve as a member of the senior management team, working to ensure the fiscal and long-term viability of the organization.
• Prepare and monitor the departmental budget, establish forecasts, and prepare evaluations of fundraising activities for the ED, DD, and the Board of Directors.
• Maintain department policies and procedures and provide day-to-day management and leadership for the Development Team. This includes: overseeing hiring and mentoring of the team; establishing clear, accountable team priorities designed to achieve successful results; and leading regular departmental meetings.

Qualified candidates will bring

• Minimum 7 years of fundraising experience
• Breadth and depth of experience to serve as the head of a comprehensive fundraising program that includes major gifts, an individual membership program, corporate and foundation partnerships, digital marketing and direct mail campaigns, and special events.
• Strong team management skills with demonstrated experience and commitment to being a mentor and motivator for staff
• Experienced collaborator with the ability to nurture a culture of philanthropy across teams
• Entrepreneurial disposition with a commitment to creativity and innovative problem-solving
• Superior ability to keep multiple projects in play and moving forward effectively
• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and grammar knowledge and skills
• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills
• High degree of professionalism, empathy, tact, sensitivity, and level of confidentiality
• Enthusiasm for and demonstrated commitment to TA’s mission

Exceptional candidates will also bring with them

• Familiarity with EveryAction or comparable CRM database
• Proficiency with Google suite and Microsoft Office suite
• Experience in fundraising event planning and execution

To apply:

Please send a resume and a cover letter to job_applications@transalt.org with “Director of Development” in the subject line.

Transportation Alternatives is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, political orientation or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law. We value having diverse staff in gender, ethnicity, background and modal preference. BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.