Director of Women's Committee Membership Programs

Reports to:  Executive Director, Women’s Committee

Department:  Women’s Committee 

Status:  Full-time, Exempt 

About Central Park and the Central Park Conservancy

Central Park is one of the most famous and beloved urban public spaces in the world. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1857, the 843-acre park was the first purpose-built public park in the country and is a National Historic Landmark. The Central Park Conservancy, a private not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1980 to rescue the Park which had fallen into serious disrepair. Since that time, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of approximately $1 billion in the restoration of the Park, and now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from urban life. The City of New York has formally entrusted the care of the Park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of its care, including landscape maintenance, capital improvements, and the visitor experience. Committed to sharing the best practices in urban park management, the Conservancy also serves as a resource for other NYC parks and for public-private partnerships around the world. The Conservancy employs roughly 325 people and has an operating budget of $80 million.

The Conservancy recently completed a seven-year plan, Central Park Conservancy, A Plan for the Stewardship of Central Park: 2020-2027, which focuses on the ongoing capital investment of the last four decade’s investment of more than $1 billion into Central Park.

Job Summary:

The Director of Women’s Committee Membership Programs is a highly visible and important part of the Women’s Committee Team. S/he is tasked with establishing strategies to acquire, upgrade, and retain members of the four Women’s Committee membership programs. This position is responsible for facilitating and managing activities related to: Women’s Committee Membership, Playground Partners Membership, Perimeter Association, and Women’s Committee Olmsted Visionaries planned giving program. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director to develop overall departmental strategies. S/he will supervise and mentor the Fundraising Manager and the Development Assistant of the Women’s Committee.

Summary of Essential Job Functions:

Strategy

• Create and implement annual operating plan for the department focusing on acquisition, retention, and upgrading Women’s Committee and Playground Partners Members
• Work with Executive Director and Leadership to identify, help qualify, cultivate, and solicit new prospects and major donors
• Collaborate with research staff to identify current donors with the capacity to increase their support
• Collaborate with colleagues to support other fundraising initiatives as needed including the FOR ALL Campaign

Program Oversight

• Manage all aspects of Membership solicitations for Women’s Committee Membership Programs including, design, content, mailing and solicitor lists, renewal and upgrade strategy and tracking of metrics
• Develop content and approach for e-promotions, marketing materials, webpages and membership renewal reminders. Communicate design strategy to graphic designers, facilitate internal and external approval process.

Donor Relations and Stewardship

• Oversee all activities that pertain to Playground Partners Committee, Women’s Committee Membership Committee and Perimeter Association Committee/Perimeter Ambassadors
• Actively engage committee leadership with program updates and tasks. Host planning meetings, send update emails, arrange for tours for members and potential donors.
• Oversee stewardship of all Women’s Committee members, including Chairman’s Circle, Champions, and Playground Partner programing.
• Plan and execute membership cultivation events and thank you receptions
• Serve as primary Conservancy contact to many high-level donors and prospects

Data Management & Gift Processing

• Supervise the Development Assistant in the pulling and formatting of mailing lists
• Design and order donor gifts for all WC and PGP Members
• Maintain database of buildings, Board Presidents and management companies for buildings on the Park’s perimeter
• Prepare pledge payment reminders as needed 
• Work with Data Management team and Development Assistant on data hygiene including tracking of solicitations and communications

Staff Management

• Train, develop and oversee Fundraising Manager
• Train, develop and oversee Development Assistant

Minimum Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• 5+ years’ professional experience in nonprofit development or equivalent  
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, time management skills, and ability to prioritize 
• Superior written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment and to carry out projects independently, managing multiple deadlines and using own initiative 
• Experience with the Raiser’s Edge, Luminate Online or other fundraising database is preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, PowerPoint 
• Excellent customer service skills 
• Passion for Central Park 
• Must have valid Driver’s license and be comfortable driving in Manhattan and Central Park

About the Women’s Committee

The Women’s Committee is a community of Central Park philanthropists with a passion for preserving and enhancing Central Park. With a membership of 1,000 the Women’s Committee has provided invaluable support and raises critical funds for the general operations of the Park. Since its inception in 1983, the Women’s Committee has raised over $200 million.

The Committee is responsible for the management of many Park-wide programs, including: Adopt-A-Bench, Conservancy Docents, Gilder Run paving stone program, Olmsted Visionaries planned giving program, Perimeter Association, Playground Partners, Tree Trust, and Tulips & Daffodils. They are also hosts to 5 major fundraising events each year.

This is an in-person position.

Salary range: $91K - $125K based on experience level.