Location: NYC metropolitan area

Reports to: Executive Director

Compensation: $135,000 - $175,000/year

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. Workload tends to be higher during December and January to ensure success of our end-of-year campaigns, consistent with typical expectations in non-profit development.

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 the Deputy Director of Operations.

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).

• Own and manage key relationships with major donors and potential major donors - ensuring the Executive Team is prepared for necessary discussions and asks.

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 with increasing management responsibility

• 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.

Department: Families for Safe Streets - National

Job Reports to: National Director

Fully Remote

Contract Position

Salary Range (USD): $85,000 - $95,000

JOB OVERVIEW

Families for Safe Streets (FSS) was founded in 2014 by people whose  loved ones were killed or injured in crashes in New York City, or who themselves were seriously injured.  FSS is now a fast-growing national movement, representing over 1,100 families who have been impacted by traffic crashes. Together, FSS members transform their grief by telling personal stories of trauma and loss to push back on complacency and spark  policy and legislative change. No death or life-altering injury is acceptable. These are preventable crashes — not random "accidents” — and the problems that cause them have proven solutions. FSS has secured unprecedented wins – from lower speed limits to automated enforcement, and safer roadway design.  Emotional support is also an integral part of our model. We understand that the work of storytelling for change is emotionally demanding, and believe that no one should have to navigate these tragedies alone. 

Reporting to the National Director, the Communications and Policy Director will play an integral role in the growth of Families for Safe Streets nationally by guiding and communicating our ambitious policy agenda and effectively elevating the stories of those who have been most impacted by deadly transportation policies.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Communications:

• The Communications and Policy Director will have a broad array of internal and external communications responsibilities, including advancing our campaigns, strengthening our organization, and building our movement. Your charge will be to work with our volunteers and partners to build and undertake communications strategies that empower our members and promote safer streets.

• Duties include being a camera-ready spokesperson, leading media trainings for FSS members, managing and growing our social media channels, taking and directing media inquiries, updating our website, writing and issuing press releases, growing and managing a national and local press list, managing the FSS community hub on Geneva, planning and holding media events, developing and executing communications and PR plans for reports and events, working with volunteers to elevate their stories, and writing and proofreading our regular newsletters and other materials. 

• Create broadly usable communications tools and toolkits for FSS Chapters and partner organizations.

Policy:

• Shape FSS’ policy agenda as part of the Families for Safe Streets-National executive committee, working collaboratively to authoritatively set - and defend - our legislative priorities and issue-stances.

• Coordinate with key influencers, including government agencies, other non-profit organizations, and relevant stakeholders, to build support and win policy reforms.

• Oversee the development of and produce  reports, opinion pieces, memos, testimony, maps, and other public documents that make the case for FSS’ policy priorities.

• Create broadly usable policy tools and toolkits for FSS Chapters and partner organizations.

• Utilize up-to-date knowledge on safe-street policies and best practices from the U.S. and around the world.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working in City, State, or National politics, on public relations campaigns, with a wide range of media. 

• Must be a compelling writer and have very strong public speaking skills.

• Strong and concise writing style for non-technical audience.

• Skills in critical analysis of data and facts, including experience in Excel, statistics, research and policy analysis.

• Advanced strategic thinking and ability to set organizational priorities and manage a compelling communications calendar.

• Demonstrated management experience working with victim advocates and volunteers is a plus.

• General knowledge of principles of sustainable community planning, civic engagement and complete streets preferred.

• Above average attention to detail and comfort working in a fast-paced environment; flexibility and adaptability are a must.

• Ability to travel occasionally and participate in evening and weekend engagements, as well as late nights and early mornings will be a part of this position.

• Knowledge of Spanish and FSS’ core issues is a plus.

• Savvy and inventive with traditional media, social media, and digital communities is a plus.

• Basic design skills in Canva and GIS mapping experience is a plus.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 6-8 years experience in communications, policy development, program coordination, advocacy campaigns or political outreach

TO APPLY:

Please send a resume and a cover letter to job_applications@transalt.org with “FSS-National: Communications and Policy Director” in the subject line.

Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets are 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.