Background

Historic Hudson Valley (HHV) interprets and promotes historic landmarks of national significance in the Hudson Valley, provides numerous educational opportunities for both children and adults, and produces exciting events, for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.  Founded in 1951 as Sleepy Hollow Restorations by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., HHV is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered by the New York State Department of Education.  In support of its educational mission, HHV welcomes some 300,000 visitors annually to its network of historic sites and special events and reaches tens of thousands more through digital programs.

HHV welcomes visitors to:

Washington Irving’s Sunnyside in Tarrytown, a romantic, riverside cottage that offers an intimate glance into the life and work of one of America’s most renowned writers;

Phillipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, a milling and trading complex dating back to 1750, that tells the overlooked story of slavery in the colonial North, an interpretation made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH);

Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, that presents the social, political, and economic life of a prominent Patriot family in the years following the American Revolution;

Union Church of Pocantico Hills in Pocantico Hills, an unassuming country church with stained glass windows by Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall;

Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate in Pocantico Hills, an historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, with  remarkable architecture, gardens, art, and vistas.

Among the many popular public events are: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze that takes place

every fall at Van Cortlandt Manor and is the largest ticketed Halloween event in the tri-state area, last year selling a record breaking 133,000 tickets; Horseman’s Hollow, a spooky adventure on a haunted trail at Phillipsburg Manor in October, inspired by the Legend of Sleepy 

HollowLIGHTSCAPES, an incredible nighttime display of sculpture, light, sound, and special effects, at Van Cortlandt Manor in the spring; Discover Pinkster!, an African-American celebration of spring that was held in the Hudson Valley as early as the 17th century and is re-created at Philipsburg Manor as a rousing, cross-cultural colonial-style festival filled with music, dance, food, and revelry; and Labor Day weekend’s CORNucopia, the lower Hudson Valley’s only corn festival and one filled with food, music, and games.

Historic Hudson Valley also maintains a distinguished research library containing more than 19,000 books, manuscripts, letters, maps, and other documents relating to the history of the region.  Increasingly, the organization is producing digital products including apps and interactive websites, both to enhance the experience of on-site visitors and to reach new audiences.

The organization has a staff of 200, 40 of whom are full time, and is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors.  The annual operating budget is approximately $10 million.  Approximately $2 million is raised for operations, capital needs, and special projects.  There is an endowment of $40 million.  To learn more about HHV please visit:  www.hudsonvalley.org.  To learn more about Westchester County see: www.westchestergov.com and www.westchestertourism.com.

Position and Responsibilities

The Associate Director of Development is a newly created position resulting from a staff reorganization and is based in Westchester County, a 40-minute drive from Manhattan. The position reports to HHV Senior Vice President, Peter Pockriss and is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the department and achieving annual contributed income goals by stewarding and expanding a diverse, sophisticated donor base at an exciting time of institutional development.

The position supervises a full-time staff of three; direct reports include the Manager of Individual Giving, Senior Development Writer, and Development Coordinator.

 

Core Responsibilities

The most important roles for the Associate Director of Development position are the following:

1.  With the senior leadership of HHV, plan and execute a strategic and comprehensive development plan that will support the operating and capital needs of the institution for the present and the long term.

2.  Initiate and supervise the cultivation and solicitation activities of HHV.  Key initiatives include broadening the donor base, ongoing identification and cultivation of individual, corporate, and foundation donors, both for annual giving and for capital gifts, accessing new constituencies, and growing the individual major gift program.

3.  Draft and edit letters, proposals, reports, digital copy, and printed materials.

4.  Supervise and manage the research and preparation of all foundation, corporate, and government grant proposals, and oversee grant administration and reporting.

5.  Work with inter-departmental teams to develop major applications for educational and digital projects to institutions including the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

6.  Work closely with HHV’s leadership, staff, and volunteers to plan and execute effective fundraising and other special events, including participation in evening, weekend, and holiday events, in order to help develop, attract, and retain donors.

7.  Build, train, mentor, and supervise an effective and professional development team and support staff, and recruit as necessary, in consultation with HHV’s senior leadership.

8.  Play an active, public role as a representative of HHV to donors and the donor community.

9.  In conjunction with accounting department and leadership, prepare and manage the department’s financial reports and budget and monitor the development budget and control expenses.

10. Oversee data management and record keeping functions.

Requirements

Qualifications

 

1.  At minimum, a Baccalaureate degree, and at least five years of management experience, especially in the areas of fund raising, communications, marketing, or non-profit administration.

2.  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively represent HHV to the public.

3.  Exceptional writing and editing skills and social media savvy.

4.  High level of creativity in using the organization’s historic sites, events, programs, and staff to engage new donors and leverage expanded resources in Westchester County.

5.  The ability to translate strategy into operational outcomes, and experience managing and supervising staff.

6.  Strong research and budgeting skills.

7.  The ability to multi-task but also focus on details and follow through, while not losing sight of the big picture.

8.  Excellent judgement, self-confidence, a strong work ethic, and the flexibility to work hands-on to get the job done.

9.  Initiative, creativity, energy and the ability to work as a team player but also independently and as a self-starter.

10. Proficiency with commonly employed computer software, especially data management systems.

Compensation, Application Procedure and Start Date

Interested and qualified individuals, and recommendations of same, are encouraged to submit their credentials as soon as possible for full consideration to the below consulting firm retained for the search.

Complete credentials should be submitted electronically and should include the following: Cover letter, résumé or CV, salary requirements, two writing samples, and four professional references, including name, email, phone, and relationship.

Salary will be commensurate with the level of experience required for this position.

Management Consultants for the Arts, Inc.

Attn: Louise Kane

By email:  MCAWall2@gmail.com

65 High Ridge Rd. # 128, Stamford, CT  06905

Phone: 203-353-0722 – Fax 203-353-0893

www.MCAonline.us

Job Information
    • Pocantico Hills, New York, 10591, United States
    • 29040003
    • June 16, 2016
    • Associate Director of Development
    • Historic Hudson Valley
    • Development/Membership
    • No
    • Full-Time
    • Indefinite
    • BA/BS/Undergraduate
    • 5-7 Years
    • 0-10%