Chief Development and Communications Officer

New York City, NY (On-site)

$225K/yr – $250K/yrDirector/Executive15+ years expFull time

Posted 4 days ago

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Job Summary

Own and lead the organization’s development and communications functions, driving fundraising, external engagement, and brand strategy to fuel growth and mission impact across a complex nonprofit landscape.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team on fundraising, communications, advocacy, and external engagement.
  • Develop and implement a multi-year development and communications strategy aligned with organizational priorities and growth objectives.
  • Represent HELP USA with donors, board members, public officials, corporate leaders, media, and community partners.
  • Advance organizational visibility, reputation, and long-term sustainability.
  • Lead all aspects of private fundraising, including major gifts, foundations, corporate partnerships, events, planned giving, and campaigns.
  • Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and strategic funding partners.
  • Partner with the CEO and Board to secure transformational philanthropic investments.
  • Establish fundraising metrics, forecasting tools, and systems that support sustained revenue growth and donor engagement.
  • Monitor fundraising performance, evaluate return on investment, and identify opportunities to strengthen donor acquisition, retention, and engagement.
  • Oversee integrated communications, marketing, media relations, digital engagement, executive communications, and brand strategy.

Requirements

  • 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in development, advancement, communications, external affairs, public affairs, marketing, or related functions within a nonprofit, housing, healthcare, higher education, public-sector, or similarly complex mission-driven organization.
  • Demonstrated success leading comprehensive fundraising programs, including major gifts, individual giving, foundation relations, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, campaigns, planned giving, and special events, with a track record of securing significant philanthropic investments.
  • Proven ability to serve as a strategic advisor to CEOs, executive leadership teams, and boards on fundraising, communications, brand management, stakeholder engagement, and organizational growth.
  • Experience developing integrated fundraising and communications strategies that strengthen revenue generation, enhance organizational visibility, and advance mission impact.
  • Significant expertise in communications and external affairs, including media relations, executive communications, marketing, digital engagement, and thought leadership initiatives.
  • Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage donors, foundations, corporations, government leaders, community partners, and other key constituencies.
  • Success leading and developing high-performing teams, managing budgets and performance metrics, and building a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Exceptional communication and executive presence, with the ability to represent an organization effectively across philanthropic, corporate, civic, governmental, and media environments.
  • Experience within large, matrixed organizations and familiarity with the New York philanthropic and nonprofit landscape are highly desirable.

Preferred

  • Education A bachelor’s degree is preferred, with an advanced degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, marketing, public policy, social work, or a related field considered advantageous.
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and other relevant continuing education credentials are welcomed but not required.
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Korn Ferry

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Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance. We unlock the potential in your people and unleash transformation across your business—synchronizing strategy, operations, and talent to accelerate performance, fuel growth, and inspire a legacy of change. That’s why the world’s most forward-thinking companies across every major industry turn to us—for a shared commitment to lasting impact and the bold ambition to Be More Than.

Founded in 1969
Los Angeles, California, USA
20K employees (484 in marketing)
58% recommend to a friend
62% CEO approval

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