Director, Development and Communications

Worker’s Justice Project (WJP)(workersjustice.org)was founded in 2010 to address the racial and economic injustices that low-wage immigrant workers face in New York City by building collective power to win institutional change. WJP runs two long-standing worker’s centers in Brooklyn. We promote justice and opportunity for low-wage immigrant workers in New York City by pushing for systematic enforcement and expansion of workplace protections, which include labor and occupational health and safety standards while advocating for industry-specific efforts to improve working conditions. WJP also offers skills-building training to workers in health & safety and industry-specific areas, and we educate immigrant communities about their rights in the workplace and how to exercise those rights.

WJP is a fiscally sponsored project of TSNE (tsne.org).

The Director of Development and Communications  (DDC) will work in partnership with the Executive Director to support strategic fundraising and community engagement efforts that support the vision, mission, and values of WJP and its Divisions such as Los Deliveristas Unidos, Liberty Cleaners, Construction Workers. DDC will manage two direct reports: a Donor Relations Associate and a Communication Manager to implement effective fundraising campaigns, communicate with current and prospective donors, and continue to build a sustainable financial future for the organization.
With an emphasis on promoting the enhancement and engagement of support for WJP’s work, this position also manages the organization’s communication tools, including but not limited to all social media platforms, electronic newsletters, and print materials.

Worker’s Justice is seeking a Director of Development and Communications to develop and oversee fundraising strategies that support the organization’s inaugural events, donation campaigns, and institutional operations. This position will report to the Executive Director and will work closely with members of the executive team and board to identify funding and communications priorities that align with the organization’s strategic objectives, mission, and vision.

Applicants should have significant experience managing nonprofit fundraising efforts and leading and mentoring effective teams. The ideal candidate must be highly motivated, independent, and a flexible thinker possessing the ability to collaborate with a wide array of people; detail-oriented while prioritizing big-picture strategies; enthusiastic about working with the organizational leadership to build Worker’s Justice’s development department; and be able to pivot to meet the demands of a growing and evolving organization. The Development Director must also possess an understanding of the communications strategies needed to advance fundraising.

Responsibilites

Fundraising and Donor Relations

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, moving them through the stages of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Take ownership of developing donor-specific strategies, meeting preparation, and timely follow-up;
• Ensure regular communication, reporting, and renewals of support;
• Cultivate relationships with new potential donors, partners, and supporters through a variety of engagement strategies and networks, as well as examination of existing donors who may have greater capacity. Build a pipeline of planned giving prospects;
• Oversee the production of prospect/donor briefings, ensuring they are completed on time with input from appropriate staff leads;
• Oversee development operations, including pipeline and forecasting, revenue reporting, and database use and implementation;
• Oversee research of funding opportunities and evaluate potential sources;
• Develop, execute and manage a multi-year fundraising plan along with the Executive Director;
• Prepare grant proposals, letters of interest, foundation reports along with the Executive Director and Program Directors;
• Create and coordinate meaningful opportunities for donors and program officers to connect with WJP’s mission on a personal level through funder briefings, tours, events, and one on one meetings;
• Strengthen donor trust, deepen relationships, and increase donor retention by ensuring that donors are thanked in a timely fashion and have a clear sense of the impact of their gifts;
• Develop and execute WJP’s annual fundraising Gala and other fundraising events by outreaching to and soliciting sponsorships, and overseeing the event promotion, logistics planning, and planning of event program and messaging. May include collaborating with a third party event-planning contractor;
• Work with WJP and TSNE finance and Executive Director to align organizational budgets with fundraising prospects and ensure that the organization meets its annual financial goals and develops a strong financial base for the future;
• Manage the development and communication team, may include hiring, onboarding, training, and consistent supervision;
• Enhance and use systems for tracking all donations, funder and donor prospects, and fundraising efforts across staff;
• Work with Deputy Director and Program Directors to ensure all deliverables are met and to track deliverables;
• Provide support in government grant management by writing proposal narratives for all government grants and submitting applications (city, state, federal).;
• Manage the development team and provide staff development opportunities as needed.

Communications

• Create donor-facing communications, such as pitch decks, reports, and written and online appeals. Leverage data, results, and stories in communications;
• Oversee content creation for print and digital media, including collateral materials such as newsletters, annual report, and event invitations, website design, social media, and email to support annual communications strategy with key audiences (donors, WJP members, employers of WJP Members volunteers, activists;
• Oversee the development of communications materials for supporters, allied, donors and stakeholders;
• Oversee the creation media content such as press releases and media advisory;
• Oversee the creation of social media content and work with the communication manager on managing the social media outlets;
• Oversee messages from the community through social media accounts and properly reply and/or channel it to WJP’s appropriate team or division;
• Coordinating and preparing WJP internally for speaking engagements such as funder briefings, panels, conferences, etc.;
• Develop briefing memos and present them to WJP staff and members to prepare them for any external engagements (honorings, conferences, etc.);
• Oversee the development of external communication material for marketing purposes (Liberty Cleaners flyers, emails, etc. to potential clients);
• Assist in moving WJP’s rebranding forward, point person between graphic designers and executive team, gather team’s feedback and needs to share with graphic designers;
• Onboard, Supervise and manage the communication manager.

Management & Leadership

• Set annual resource development goals, tied to the Strategic Plan, raising revenue from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government sources;
• Create and implement strategies to meet or exceed these goals each year. Track progress and manage work plans across all four of these revenue streams;
• Analyze performance of fundraising and communications strategies and regularly report to the Executive Director, WJP/TSNE Finance Team and Board of Directors;
• Lead, inspire and mentor the development and communications staff, supervising their work, supporting their success, providing direction, and ensuring job satisfaction;
• Spearhead the development and growth of the department;
• Recruit and manage executive volunteer leadership, volunteer committees, and day of the event timeline and business plan. Leads volunteer recruitment and engagement;
• Developmenting and implementing protocols and systems for branding and improving internal workflow and efficiency;
• Working with TSNE Finance and Grants Management Team to follow fundraising and grant making protocols and procedures;
• Collaborating in strategic planning and program development with ED and program directors;
• Create an infrastructure for streamlined fundraising operations with a particular focus on alignment between development and finance teams.

Health and Safety in the WJP Workplace

• Follow all WJP health and safety protocols while working on-site as an Essential employee.

● Other duties as assigned.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• At least 8 years of fundraising experience including experience securing and managing foundation grants, and 3 years management experience and proven ability to lead a team;
• Experience working in a non-profit and fast-paced environment;
• Commitment to racial and economic justice;
• Excellent written, verbal, and listening communication skills;
• Self-motivated, hardworking individual with ability to work independently;
• Demonstrated experience building strong relationships with high-level allies and donors;
• Detail oriented;
• Strong project management skills and ability to juggle multiple deadlines and priorities;
• Excellent people and relationship building skills;
• Ability to handle multiple priorities at the same time;
• Competent knowledge of social media, computer operations (Google Apps, Word, Excel, etc.) and equipment operation such as copiers, fax machines and telephones;
• Proficiency with Microsoft office software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Mail, etc.;
• Administrative and organizational skills necessary to carry out the job description responsibilities;
• Love of teamwork and a good team player while working in a collaborative work environment;
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English and Spanish. Spanish fluency is required;
• Dedication and ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends as needed;
• Deep knowledge of the funding community in New York City and beyond;
• Strong track record of building, sustaining, and growing long-term donor relationships with individuals, foundations, corporation, and government agencies;
• Familiarity with managing external relations and marketing plans;
• Experienced public speaker who is able to effectively communicate WJP’s programs and mission;
• Tactical, multitasking thinker who can work simultaneously on immediate goals and long-term strategies;
• Experience working with Zoho database, a plus.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

● There may be a need to lift and/or move materials or equipment;
● Able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions;
● Able to commute using the NYC public transportation system;
● Able to work in an open office space;
● Able to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends as needed;
● Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls;
● Reach; traverse; sit or stand (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
● Extended periods of time in front of a computer screen is an essential aspect of the position;
● Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds;
● The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
● Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards;
● Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
● Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree;

Compensation and Benefits

Location:Work will be primarily performed at the Sunset Park and/or Williamsburg Worker Centers and on the field. Will travel periodically. This role is eligible for some remote work. Work is not eligible to be 100% remote.

Compensation: The starting salary for this position is $100,000 - $120,000/yr and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): 12 paid holidays, 3 weeks vacation, 1 week personal holiday, and sick time for full-time staff;
• 80% Employer-paid, $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim;
• Low-cost MetLife Dental and Vision;
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care;
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance;
• Employer-paid Pension through TIAA;
• ...and more!

TSNE/WJP strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/WJP prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/WJP celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/WJP's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.