Director of Development and Communications

Job Title: Director of Development and Communications
Status: Full-Time (Salaried, Exempt)
Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000 annually
Reports To: President and CEO
Department: Administration

Supervises:

• Housing and Grants Manager
• Marketing Associate

The Director of Development and Communications leads the YMCA of Yonkers fundraising, external relations, and communications strategy. This role is responsible for generating new revenue, strengthening a sustainable donor base, and increasing organizational visibility and community engagement.

This is a senior leadership role focused on building and operationalizing the YMCA’s development function. The position drives strategy, systems, and relationships necessary to support long-term financial sustainability and growth.

The Director oversees fundraising efforts across grants, individual giving, corporate partnerships, and special initiatives, while also leading communications and public-facing strategy. This role works closely with the President and CEO and Board of Directors to advance development priorities and expand the YMCA network of supporters.

This position requires a hands-on, entrepreneurial approach with a strong focus on relationship building, revenue generation, and measurable outcomes.

At the Y, our work is rooted in three key areas:

Achievement: Empowering youth and families to build skills and long-term success
Relationships: Strengthening connections among residents, families, and community partners
Belonging: Creating inclusive environments where all individuals feel valued and supported

Fundraising and Revenue Development

• Lead the organization’s fundraising strategy, execution, and performance outcomes
• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan aligned with organizational priorities
• Oversee fundraising across grants, individual giving, corporate sponsorships, and special initiatives
• Drive an annual fundraising goal of $500,000 to $750,000 in new revenue
• Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with donors, funders, and partners
• Build and manage a pipeline of funding opportunities
• Establish systems and processes to support long-term development growth
• Monitor performance and ensure progress toward revenue targets

Grants Strategy and Oversight

• Lead identification and pursuit of funding opportunities
• Provide strategic oversight of grant development and submissions
• Ensure alignment between funding opportunities and program priorities
• Coordinate with internal teams to support successful grant applications and renewals

Communications, Media, and Public Relations

• Serve as the primary contact for external communications and media relations
• Develop and oversee organizational messaging and branding
• Lead creation of marketing materials, reports, and storytelling initiatives
• Supervise the Marketing Associate in executing communications strategies

Board Development Committee and External Relations

• Serve as staff lead for the Board Development Committee
• Support planning, execution, and accountability of fundraising initiatives
• Engage Board members in donor cultivation and fundraising efforts
• Prepare reports and materials for Board and committee meetings

Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise the Housing and Grants Manager and Marketing Associate
• Establish expectations for data tracking, reporting, and communications
• Ensure alignment between fundraising strategy and program reporting
• Foster a collaborative and accountable team environment

External Partnerships and Representation

• Represent the YMCA in meetings with funders, partners, and stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations and leaders
• Expand the YMCA’s visibility and presence in the community

• Communication and Influence
• Fundraising and Relationship Management
• Strategic Thinking and Execution
• Program and Project Management
• Leadership and Team Development

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred or equivalent experience
• 5–7 years of experience in fundraising, development, or communications
• Proven success in securing funding and meeting revenue targets
• Experience building or expanding fundraising systems or donor pipelines preferred
• Experience working with donors, institutional funders, and corporate partners
• Experience working with Boards or Board committees preferred
• Experience with CRM systems (Daxko Core or similar preferred)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to represent the organization effectively in external settings
• Experience supervising staff and managing cross-functional initiatives
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred

• Work performed in office and community settings
• Attendance at meetings, events, and external engagements required
• Occasional evening or weekend work required

This role is central to advancing the YMCA of Yonkers mission by building the relationships, systems, and resources needed to support long-term growth and community impact.

If you are a strategic, results-driven leader with a passion for community development, we encourage you to apply.