Senior Development Officer

Position Summary

Riverside Park Conservancy is hiring a Senior Development Officer (SDO) to create, support, and execute effective strategies for identifying and stewarding new and existing donor pipelines to increase financial resources for the sustainability and betterment of Riverside Park and our broader community.

The ideal candidate will understand the synergies across development, marketing, and communications. They will be a strong and convincing writer who can meaningfully lift the Conservancy’s mission across assets and channels ensuring that our values are at the forefront. They will be a perceptive and careful listener and a collaborative thought partner. The SDO will also be adept at recognizing big and small opportunities to strengthen connections between our supporters, neighbors, and our work.

The SDO will be involved with implementing and growing new development projects such as wealth screening, grant writing, data management, and prospect research and other key elements of development support.

Background

Riverside Park Conservancy cares for six miles of parkland on the west side of Manhattan from 59th to 181st Street. Working alongside the New York City Parks Department, we make improvements as diverse as the park itself and the city it serves. Founded by a small group of volunteers in 1986, the Conservancy now employs more than 70 professional staff who work alongside hundreds of volunteers and dozens of NYC Parks employees to care for 400 acres of green space along the Hudson River.

As a neighborhood-based environmental nonprofit, our work is grounded in local partnerships. We leverage public and private funding to make meaningful capital improvements in the park, such as replacing staircases and pathways, restoring gardens and renovating playgrounds. We employ 25 Zone Gardeners who provide specialized horticultural care for the Park’s varied landscapes. We produce over 400 free public events every year and run a sports summer camp attended by more than 1,600 children.

With a current annual operating budget of $12 million, the Conservancy serves approximately 3 million visitors to our parkland annually. Central to our mission is a commitment to fairness and inclusivity. We recognize that park needs are not uniform across all areas; rather, they reflect the diverse communities we serve. Our goal is to ensure that resources are distributed equitably and that the standard of care across all six miles is of the highest caliber.

Our Vision & Values: We are committed to ensuring that our park is a dynamic and vibrant space for all to enjoy. Our vision is grounded in comfort, community, environmental stewardship, and opportunities for active engagement. As we look to the future, we see a park where users feel safe and welcomed, where nature is nurtured and protected, and where recreation and programming flourish.

Our Strategic Direction: Under the leadership of a seasoned CEO and with the strong support of an engaged Board, Riverside Park Conservancy is on a solid trajectory of growth and increased visibility. A new team member will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future and impact at a time when the value of quality public open spaces has never been more important or widely recognized. The Conservancy is embracing dynamic funding priorities that include:

• A proactive response to climate change and an increased focus on sustainable park operations, green infrastructure, and closed loop organic waste cycles that can serve as a model for other public spaces
• A comprehensive approach to neighborhood engagement through volunteering and community collaboration
• Making meaningful changes in the distribution of resources along the park's six-mile footprint to address historical underinvestment and inequities in the role of public space serving communities of color
• Establishing and furthering partnerships with local, like-minded educational, research, cultural, and social justice organizations

Primary/Essential Responsibilities and Duties

The Senior Development Officer’s primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• • Researching, qualifying, and cultivating new donors
  • Stewarding relationships with a portfolio of current donors with a goal to maintain and increase annual giving
  • Developing and implementing strategic plans for major gifts, including tailored approaches for specific donors focused on general operating support, special projects, multi-year efforts, and planned giving
  • Working collaboratively with development team to build and maintain the donor database, including wealth screening, tracking the donor pipeline, and monitoring progress toward individual giving goals
  • Working collaboratively with the development team on all fundraising activities including events, donor communications, and appeals
  • Writing effective proposals and solicitations, reports, grant applications, acknowledgements, and other donor-related communications

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
  • 6+ years of development experience
  • Proven track record securing gifts, as well as networking and building relationships with current and prospective donors
  • Ability to perform with a high level of discretion and integrity
  • Proven ability to think strategically and effectively carry out initiatives
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize to meet deadlines
  • Knowledge of fundraising database management

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• • Hybrid work environment – office, remote, and Riverside Park
  • Will require some evening and weekend work
  • Local travel within NYC for meetings and special event attendance required

Riverside Park Conservancy is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all applicants and employees. We recognize the importance of diversity and offer equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.