VP Advancement

May 28

NYC Outward Bound Schools
Long Island City, NY

Anticipated Start Date: August 2026

Description

Reporting to the CEO, the Vice President (VP) of Advancement will lead the design, refinement, and execution of an integrated and strategic fundraising plan that ensures the sustainability of NYC Outward Bound Schools, fosters future growth, and advances strategic priorities. The VP of Advancement will lead best-in-class philanthropic efforts, nurturing, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts from individuals, government, corporations, and foundations.

The VP of Advancement also oversees a consistent and compelling branding and messaging strategy that tells the story of our organization's impact on the young people of NYC and maximizes the organization’s visibility. The VP provides oversight and direction to a small team to execute goals as well as develop the teams’ capacity while building upon their strengths. The VP works in close collaboration with the Board of Directors and the organization’s leadership team to make strategic decisions and build an equity-focused staff culture that values diverse perspectives and experiences. The ideal candidate will have a passion for supporting the youth of NYC, and be energized by continuous improvement and cross-team collaboration.

Location: Hybrid

Position: Requires multiple days per week on site in NYC as outlined in the organization’s remote work policy.

Equal Opportunity Employer We prohibit discrimination against and harassment of any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable state or federal law.

Responsibilities

Create a fundraising model, inclusive of corporate and foundation relations, individual major gifts, corporate donors, annual giving, and new potential sources of philanthropic support. Establish and manage all key actions to meet or exceed overall fundraising goals, including maintaining a strong donor pipeline and cultivating new funding opportunities for major donor gifts and foundation grants.
Work with the CEO, Board, and development and program teams to lead all major fundraising efforts, track progress toward fundraising goals, and achieve annual fundraising goals to support the organization’s vision and strategic plan.
Manage and develop detailed and documented portfolios of major individual, corporate, and grant donors and prospects, including developing targeted fundraising campaigns when appropriate
Manage and execute on the fundraising outreach and event planning for the organization’s annual gala
Develop and maintain a multi-channel calendar of events and engagement activities to increase donations from current and new donors
Oversee the development of compelling, accurate, and consistent messaging related to NYC Outward Bound Schools as a valuable and fulfilling opportunity to positively impact young people and public schools in NYC Expand the visibility of the organization’s work through marketing and communications efforts, including digital and print media, that uniquely position the organization and its impact on students
Build and maintain media relations and oversee content creation including digital media and print materials that appropriately capture the compelling impact of the organization on the young people of NYC Build positive external relationships, alliances, and partnerships that advance the mission of the organization and engage potential new prospects and partners

General Expectations for All Leaders

Cultivate an engaging and inclusive environment that attracts and retains a diverse pool of qualified talent.
Recruit, hire, mentor, and supervise staff to effectively attain the goals of the department and the organization
Monitor organizational culture and employee morale to identify improvement opportunities.
Provide regular meaningful feedback, coaching, and support to direct reports in alignment with NYC Outward Bound Schools’ mission, vision, and core values as well as to the individual’s developmental needs.
Foster a culture of cross-departmental collaboration, individual initiative, accountability, and responsibility across the organization
Model and promote the organization's core values of community, collaboration, equity, integrity, and learning
Provide guidance and support to the organization's leaders and employees Develop presentations and memorandum, as needed
Maintain compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and best practices Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Strong commitment to educational equity for BIPOC youth, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in development/advancement and communications, at least five of which has been in leadership or management positions
Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals
Ability to originate and implement creative fundraising strategies
Experience with major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and grant management
Demonstrated ability to manage, motivate, and develop a high-performing team.
Experience in the effective engagement and development of a board
Proficiency in data-driven strategic planning, including the ability to develop and implement comprehensive plans and track progress toward the plan’s ultimate goals.
Demonstrated ability to build trust, work collegially, and achieve influence across a wide range of diverse stakeholders.
Ability to generate innovative ideas, originate action without instruction, take initiative, and prioritize tasks effectively.
Ability to remain detail-oriented while also maintaining focus on the big picture
Demonstrated flexibility, maturity, and ability to juggle competing priorities
Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal; experience and skill in public speaking and presentations
Unquestionable integrity and ethical standards in leadership.
Excellent digital literacy skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Office and Google. Familiarity with the field of education is a plus.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$180,000 - $220,000

Medical, dental, and vision coverage
HRA/FSA/Transit accounts
Life insurance 403(b) with employer match after one year
Generous PTO
Hybrid work policy

How to Apply for this Job

Apply Now

About the Organization

Why can’t school be more like an Outward Bound course? NYC Outward Bound Schools believes that students benefit greatly from tapping into the world beyond their classroom and their immediate community to partake in joyful learning experiences that can prepare them to thrive in community, college, and career. In partnership with the NYC public school system, NYC Outward Bound Schools is a non-profit organization that serves over 28,000 students in almost 80 schools across the five boroughs of New York City. NYC Outward Bound Schools provides opportunities for unique, liberatory, experiential learning for students in their social, emotional, and academic development.

The organization supports NYC young people both by leading students in outdoor adventure programming that pushes beyond their traditional school experiences and also by coaching and supporting educators on how to incorporate lessons from these catalytic experiences within the classroom. Ultimately, our diverse and committed staff support NYC young people in unique ways to develop the knowledge and skills to lead with confidence and curiosity, persist in the face of challenges, and live fulfilling lives.

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