Interim Director of Development & External Affairs

Interim Director of Development & External Affairs

Power of Two, a partner project of the Fund for the City of New York, is a community-based organization dedicated to empowering families by fostering responsive parenting and strengthening caregiver‑child relationships. Our mission is to nurture the inherent potential in every child and family, equipping them with the tools to transform their own lives and strengthen their communities.

The Position Power of Two seeks an Interim Director of Development & External Affairs to provide strategic leadership and high‑capacity execution during a pivotal year. This interim role ensures continuity and fundraising momentum while the organization enters its tenth year of operation and assesses and plans for long‑term sustainability.

The Interim Director will be an inspirational, seasoned, self‑directed development leader with strong major gifts experience, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to manage across multiple revenue streams. They will partner closely with the Executive Director, a committed development team of two, an Assistant Executive Director, and an external lobbying partner to drive both private fundraising and government relations efforts.

This leader is expected to hit the ground running, bring mature judgment, be focused and results‑oriented, and offer candid strategic recommendations while maintaining a clear, supportive, team‑oriented presence.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a thought partner to the Executive Director and leadership team on strategy, financial forecasting, and risk management.
• Champion and cultivate a culture of philanthropy across the organization by building systems, trust, and relationships internally and externally.
• Co‑Lead the External Affairs Committee of the Advisory Board, preparing and facilitating quarterly meetings and increasing board engagement in fundraising.
• Collaborate with the ED to grow and strengthen the board.
• Supervise and mentor the development team, including a Manager and an Associate of Development and External Affairs, as well as any external consultants procured.
• Ensure a smooth transition for a potential permanent role.
• Oversee and ensure the efficient and timely execution of development efforts including fundraising, fundraising systems, and reporting.
• Assess, refine, and co‑lead the fundraising strategy to secure $700K+ in private revenue by September 30, 2026, while securing multi‑year gifts for FY 2027.
• Deliver a high performing fundraising event in May with improved sponsorship and donation yield and increased special event volunteer recruitment and engagement.
• Build a strong individual giving pipeline and identify strategic funding opportunities and align them with organizational priorities.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward high‑net‑worth individuals, foundations, and other institutional donors.
• Design and implement prospect and donor engagement strategies to grow and deepen our supporter base.

External Affairs & Communications

• Shape the communications and brand strategy including a logic model and integration framework to enhance visibility and influence.
• Oversee communications across all platforms including ensuring the web content reflects our mission, values, and guiding principles.
• Support the ED and Lobbyist in securing $3‑5 million in public multi‑year funding.
• Ensure integration of external affairs and communications with fundraising and operational efforts.
• Represent Power of Two at public events, in the media, and with city/state stakeholders.

• Community‑centered mindset and asset‑based understanding of historically marginalized communities, particularly those served by Power of Two.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, including securing six‑ and seven‑figure gifts and developing multi‑year funding pipelines.
• Strong knowledge of the philanthropic landscape and ability to effectively position an organization’s mission to diverse funders.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and lead ambitious, mission‑aligned fundraising.
• Track record of building and growing sustainable revenue streams.
• Excellent relationship‑building…