Director of External Relations – Fundraising & Donor Stewardship

Location: New York, NY

Are you a strategic fundraising professional with a passion for education and a proven record of building relationships with major donors? We are seeking a Director of External Relations to lead our External Relations team, including Events, Stewardship/Communications, and Advancement Services, while managing a portfolio of high-value donors and prospects.

In this leadership role, you will partner with senior executives to drive philanthropic growth, oversee major donor cultivation and stewardship, and deliver innovative, best-in-class fundraising programs that inspire investment in the future of students across New York City.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director of External Relations will:

• Lead and mentor a team responsible for donor stewardship, communications, and event management.
• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift donors, advancing long-term philanthropic goals.
• Serve as an ambassador for the organization, articulating the mission, impact, and vision to donors, prospects, and key stakeholders.
• Oversee strategy and execution for high-profile events, campaigns, and communications that enhance donor engagement and revenue.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement annual and long-term fundraising strategies in partnership with senior leadership.
• Provide vision and direction for external relations activities, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and scalability for future growth.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams including Marketing, Finance, IT, and Program Leadership to execute integrated donor engagement initiatives.
• Mentor and manage a team, fostering excellence, accountability, and continuous professional development.

Fundraising & Donor Management

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, driving cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Conduct donor meetings, school tours, and briefings to strengthen relationships and encourage investment.
• Track interactions, progress, and performance in the CRM system (Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar), supporting accurate revenue forecasting.
• Partner with development colleagues to implement campaigns, appeals, and fundraising initiatives targeting diverse donor segments.

Stewardship & Communications

• Oversee development and execution of donor communications and stewardship programs, including personalized touchpoints and digital campaigns.
• Lead the creation of compelling proposals, impact reports, presentations, talking points, and donor-facing content.
• Ensure all communications reflect best practices in donor engagement and align with the organization’s mission and goals.

Events & Experiences

• Lead the planning and execution of major fundraising events, including high-profile galas and donor experiences.
• Ensure events are well-managed, on budget, and aligned with fundraising and engagement objectives.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to deliver exceptional donor experiences.

Advancement Services & Operations

• Guide the Advancement Services team to provide operational support, data analysis, reporting, and CRM management.
• Ensure accurate donor data, clean reporting, and adherence to confidentiality standards.
• Oversee vendor relationships and implement efficient processes to maximize team productivity and fundraising impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. CFRE or equivalent fundraising certification is a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in donor engagement, stewardship, communications, and major gift fundraising.
• At least 5 years of management experience leading high-performing teams.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gifts.
• Experience working with high net worth individuals, foundations, and institutional donors.
• Strong understanding of fundraising analytics, prospect research, and wealth screening tools.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinker with ability to anticipate executive needs and organizational priorities.
• High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to inspire, influence, and build trust.
• Strong project management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge NXT preferred), Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and fundraising analytics tools.
• Willingness to travel locally and nationally; flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Compensation

Salary Range: $200,000 – $225,000 USD (dependent on experience and qualifications)