The New York Climate Exchange (The Exchange) is a new not-for-profit climate solutions center designed to build community, foster collaboration, advance climate knowledge, and empower marginalized communities through cross-disciplinary networking, impactful programming, and cutting-edge facilities. While The Exchange will have a physical presence on Governors Island, its spirit and influence will extend beyond the Island into New York City and across the country and world. Our diverse coalition of partners-committed and prepared to collectively disrupt the status quo-incorporates local and global perspectives on climate change from academia, the private sector, and community-level organizations. As the first of its kind, The Exchange will unlock integrated and scalable approaches to sustainability, ultimately serving as a global model for sustainable positive change.

The New York Climate Exchange ("The Exchange") seeks to recruit a Director, Principal Gifts to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of seven and eight-figure philanthropic gifts.

Applicants should feel comfortable working in a fast-paced, start-up environment, requiring flexibility with tasks and roles. This position is full-time. The individual filling this role will primarily work in-person in the New York City area. Periodic remote work is allowed with prior approval.

The position reports to the Chief Advancement Officer.

Salary and Benefits

Salary for the Director, Principal Gifts is between $175,000 - $225,000 per year. The position includes eligibility for generous health and retirement benefits, and paid time off/sick leave. Salary will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to qualifications, experience, education, licenses, and specialized training. The above hiring range represents The Exchange's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Responsibilities

Identify, cultivate, and solicit top prospects. Personally manage a portfolio of principal ($1M-$9.99M) gift and transformative ($10M+) gift prospects with the highest-level capacity.
Update and refine short-term and long-term strategies for existing top prospects and donors, moving them through the stages of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Achieve specific and measurable goals for contracts, effective portfolio management, proposals presented, and dollars raised.
Engage current partner institutions in the principal giving process including donor identification and coordinated strategies for engagement and solicitation.
Collaborate with the CAO to develop and implement a strategic plan for new donor engagement (through formal and informal advisory opportunities).
Recruit and staff a high-level development volunteer body that can assist in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of principal and transformative gifts for The Exchange.
Design opportunities and prepare communications for authentic principal and transformative donor engagement, including the creation of compelling messaging and case statements in support of fundraising strategies.
Collaborate with the leadership team in support of the ongoing philanthropic priorities for The Exchange.
Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.

Position-related Qualifications

Minimum of ten years of experience in progressively responsible development leadership positions.
A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is a plus.
Demonstrated track record of frontline fundraising for an institution of higher education, not-for-profit organization, or other environment of similar complexity with multiple stakeholders; previous work experience in higher education and/or climate and environmental issues is preferred.
Demonstrated success in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of seven, eight and ideally nine-figure gift prospects; success in strategically engaging and securing gifts from previously unaffiliated constituencies.
Commitment to and demonstrated knowledge of organizational mission and vision; ability to communicate and create excitement about the mission, vision, programs, and fundamental value of this historic initiative.
Strength in developing fundraising strategies and experience working directly with the most senior levels of an organization.
Execution of planning regimen on an individual, program, and institutional partner level.
Strong willingness to collaborate in highly team-based environment; ability to build working relationships across the organization.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build, foster, and maintain positive professional relationships with colleagues, organizational partners, and external constituencies.
Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills to deliver an effective, coherent, and consistent message.
Successful track record translating research and program activity into compelling philanthropic objectives and previous proposal writing experience is preferred.
The ability to travel frequently in support of The Exchange's philanthropic priorities, attend events and personal cultivation and solicitation visits with the CEO and CAO, Exchange leaders and coalition partners.
A history of and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Experience in a start-up environment is highly preferred, and experience working with climate/environmental initiatives is a plus.

New York Climate Exchange Staff Core Competencies

Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how partners and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally, and socially sustainable.
Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of clients/partners and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients/partners.
Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across The Exchange, partner organizations, and other relevant institutions.
Makes choices and sets priorities with The New York Climate Exchange corporate perspective in mind.
Helps others to understand problems, partner and client needs, and the underlying context.
Recognizes the value of diverse perspectives and lived experiences and applies a critical lens to systemic sources of bias and discrimination.
Applies critical thinking and seeks input and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with The Exchange's strategy.
Evaluates risk and anticipates the short- and long-term implications of decisions.
Commits to a decision and acts once it has been reached.

Preferred consideration will be given to applications received no later than May 10, 2024.

The New York Climate Exchange provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, height, weight, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Research indicates that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups only apply if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about our mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don't check all the boxes, please apply. We'd appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

You must be able to work in the United States as The Exchange does not yet have visa-sponsoring capabilities.

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Director, Principal Gifts