Development Engagement Officer

Development Engagement Officer
New York, NY, United States
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: Development Engagement Officer
Division: Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO)
Salary Range: $75,000 - $80,000 Annually

Bank Street: Bank Street College of Education is dedicated to improving the education system through innovative teaching methods and research-backed strategies. Founded in 1916, Bank Street has been at the forefront of educational reform, emphasizing hands-on learning and child-centered approaches to education. Bank Street's approach to teaching and learning is widely recognized as the gold standard in progressive education. This approach proudly provides students, educators, and communities with a foundation for transforming our world in large and small ways. Social justice, advocacy, and building an inclusive community are at the core of our work. Every day, we challenge ourselves and our students to grow from the opportunities and hurdles inherent in people working and learning together. In the words of Bank Street founder Lucy Sprague Mitchell, "we see in education the opportunity to build a better society."
Bank Street has three divisions: the Children's Programs, including the School for Children, the Family Center, Head Start, and Liberty LEADS; the Graduate School of Education; and the Bank Street Education Center, which houses Bank Street's portfolio of public impact work.

The Position: Bank Street School for Children seeks a dynamic and detail-oriented Development Engagement Officer to join our Development team. The Development Engagement Officer will play a crucial role in advancing the School for Children's fundraising initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Development, this individual will manage the annual fund, including volunteer support and parent engagement. They will also support the coordination of fundraising events, manage donor relations, and engage with the school community to promote a culture of philanthropy and support. They will work closely with, and receive support from, the Director of Annual Funds, who is also a member of the central Development and Alumni Relations team, a consultant, and a centralized database management and gift acknowledgement team.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Annual Giving Program Management
- In partnership with the Director of Development, develop and lead the strategy for the Annual Fund with the goal of increasing both dollars and donors.
- Recruit, train, and manage a team of 20 Annual Fund volunteers in peer-to-peer solicitations and advocacy for the Annual Fund; edit and update training materials annually.
- Actively engage with donors and identify those with the potential to increase their giving; collaborate with the Dean of Children's Programs and Director of Development to cultivate and solicit these donations.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive annual giving communications plan including an annual "theme" to effectively promote the Annual Fund.
- Collaborate with the Development and Communications teams to produce all fundraising materials for the School for Children, including solicitation letters, case statements, and acknowledgment letters/emails.
- Design and implement new donor recognition methods; ensure annual fund donors receive timely, customized acknowledgments.
- Analyze and report on donor-giving patterns and annual results, identifying opportunities for targeted outreach.
- Analyze and track fundraising progress, donor retention rates, and other key performance indicators.
- Conduct prospect research and prepare constituent profiles as needed.
Special Events:
- Assist the Director of Development with the planning, coordination, and execution of all development-related special events, including but not limited to the Fall Fair, Annual Benefit, donor receptions, parent and special friend gatherings, and various cultivation and stewardship events.
- Coordinate event logistics, including Annual Benefit venue selection, catering, audiovisual setup, guest registration, and onsite support.
- Create communications plans, including designing paper and email invitations.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure seamless event execution and exceptional attendee experiences.
- Manage event RSVPs, attendee communications, and post-event follow-up activities to nurture donor relationships and stewardship.
Database Management:
- Maintain accurate constituent records in Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge.
- Maintain and update biographical and contact information.
- Generate pledge reminders in a timely manner.
- Analyze data and generate reports, including progress against goal, LYBUNT and SYBUNT lists, etc.
- Prepare target/segmented lists for parent volunteers, the Director of Development, and other members of DARO as needed.
Volunteer Management:
- Collaborate with parent volunteers, staff, and faculty to ensure successful fundraising events and campaigns.
- Collaborate with the Director of Alumni Relations and Director of Development to develop a plan to engage with alumni and alumni parents to foster a sense of community.

Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in the nonprofit sector, ideally in an independent school, with a focus on fundraising or development.
- Commitment to progressive education and the values of Bank Street School.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with proficiency in data analysis.
- Ability to systematically implement a year-round annual fund program, mindful of the overall goals while paying attention to details.
- Detail-oriented, resourceful, and able to manage multiple projects efficiently.
- Experience planning and executing fundraising events.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and motivate others towards shared goals.
- Knowledge of fundraising best practices and donor stewardship principles is preferred.
- Must possess the highest ethical standards.
- Must be able to work under pressure and maintain a sense of humor.
- Familiarity with donor databases (e.g., Raiser's Edge) and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace. Join our team at Bank Street College of Education and help us advance our mission of transforming education for the betterment of society. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Please apply online by submitting a cover letter and resume for the position in the "Job Opportunities" section under the "About" tab on Bank Street's website at Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Bank Street College of Education is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

About Bank Street College of Education

The mission of Bank Street College is to improve the education of children and their teachers by applying to the educational process all available knowledge about learning and growth, and by connecting teaching and learning meaningfully to the outside world. In so doing, we seek to strengthen not only individuals, but the community as well, including family, school, and the larger society in which adults and children, in all their diversity, interact and learn. We see in education the opportunity to build a better society.