Director of Development & Communications

Job Title:

Director of Development & Communications

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt Salaried

Supervisor: CEO

Direct Reports:
Individual Giving & Engagement Manager;
Development Operations Coordinator;
Marketing & Development Specialist (part-time)

Salary: $120,000–$140,000 per year, commensurate with experience

About Us:

Row New York opens doors to opportunity through the sport of rowing. We believe rowing is a powerful vehicle for young people to discover what they are capable of—building confidence, discipline, teamwork, and a sense of belonging while gaining access to relationships, experiences, and opportunities that can shape their futures.

Our core Youth Program combines competitive and developmental rowing with academic and college support, social‑emotional development, and opportunities that extend far beyond the boathouse. We primarily serve young people from communities that have historically had limited access to rowing and the opportunities connected to it. Our student‑athletes train and compete throughout the year while receiving individualized support to succeed in high school, navigate post‑secondary pathways, and thrive beyond graduation.

Row New York also provides rowing opportunities for Veterans and people with disabilities through partnerships with community organizations and New York City District 75 schools; we also provide community and scholastic fee‑for‑service rowing programs. Based in Upper Manhattan and Queens, we are committed to broadening access to rowing, deepening the impact of the sport on the people we serve, and building a strong and sustainable organization for New Yorkers.

Position Summary:

Row New York seeks a strategic, relationship-driven, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as its next Director of Development & Communications. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director will lead the organization's fundraising and partnership strategy to ensure that Row New York has the revenue, relationships, fundraising systems, messaging, and visibility needed to advance its mission. This new leadership role is responsible for driving contributed revenue growth, managing a portfolio of major donors and institutional funders, strengthening Row New York's external voice and case for support, and building a high‑performing Development & Communications team.

The team is currently responsible for raising approximately $4 million in annual contributed revenue, capital funding for short‑and long‑term projects, with significant opportunity for future growth.

This is a highly visible player‑coach role for a fundraising leader who enjoys both setting strategy and rolling up their sleeves to drive results. The Director will personally lead some of the organization's most important funder relationships and oversee a team whose functions include: individual giving, institutional giving, development operations, and marketing and communications. The Director will be equally comfortable developing strategy, managing people, building fundraising and marketing infrastructure, and leading donor conversations.

They bring strong judgment, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to creating clarity, accountability, and momentum across a distributed team environment.

This position is primarily remote but includes in‑person work. The Director of Development & Communications will lead and participate in in‑person donor meetings, board meetings, fundraising events, staff retreats, and other gatherings as needed. Local residency in the New York City metro‑area is required.

Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Lead the development and execution of Row New York's annual and multi-year fundraising strategy by establishing fundraising goals, priorities, and performance metrics…