Director of Marketing and Development

Description

Title: Director of Marketing and Development

Position Type: Full-time, Exempt

Reports to: President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Base Location: Newburgh

Schedule: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm with flexibility to meet the needs of the department.

Pay Rate:  $90,000/yr - $100,000/yr

About Independent Living, Inc.

Since 1987, Independent Living Inc. (ILI) has been increasing access, encouraging self-determination, and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities in the Hudson Valley, of New York. Following the traditional independent living (IL) model, the majority of ILI’s board and staff are individuals with disabilities and use personal, lived experience to support others in the community – turning perceived deficits into assets.

Why Work with Us?

• Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to building a barrier-free society and supporting independent living
• Be part of a collaborative workplace that embraces diversity and innovation, where every team member’s voice and lived experience are respected and valued
• Be part of an organization that champions inclusive hiring practices and actively welcomes individuals of all abilities, recognizing the value of both visible and non-visible disabilities
• Help increase the visibility and impact of a disability-led organization serving communities throughout the Hudson Valley.
• Play a strategic role in building sustainable financial support and partnerships that advance ILI’s mission.

About the Role

The Director of Marketing and Development provides strategic leadership for Independent Living, Inc.’s marketing, communications, fundraising, and community development initiatives.

The Director is responsible for strengthening ILI’s public visibility, communicating the impact of its programs and services, cultivating relationships with donors and community partners, and generating sustainable philanthropic support.

As a member of the organization’s leadership team, the Director works collaboratively with the CEO, senior management, program directors, Board of Directors, and community stakeholders to advance ILI’s mission, strategic priorities, financial sustainability, and regional presence.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, effective communicator, relationship builder, and results-oriented leader who combines creativity with strong organizational, analytical, and fundraising skills.

What You'll Do

1. Fundraising and Resource Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive annual fundraising and resource development plan with measurable financial goals.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and other philanthropic supporters.
• Develop strategies to increase charitable contributions, donor retention, recurring gifts, major gifts, and planned giving.
• Establish and maintain an effective donor relationship management system to track contributions, communications, prospects, and fundraising performance.
• Identify opportunities for corporate giving, sponsorships, employee giving campaigns, and community fundraising partnerships.
• Collaborate with grant-writing consultants, the CEO, and program leadership to identify and pursue appropriate private foundation and charitable funding opportunities.
• Prepare fundraising appeals, sponsorship proposals, donor communications, and stewardship reports.
• Monitor fundraising performance and provide regular progress reports to the CEO and Board.

2. Marketing, Branding, and Communications

• Develop and implement an agency-wide marketing and communications strategy aligned with ILI’s mission and strategic plan.
• Strengthen ILI’s brand identity, visibility, and recognition throughout the Hudson Valley.
• Oversee the organization’s website, social media platforms, digital marketing, newsletters, publications, annual reports, and promotional materials.
• Develop compelling communications that demonstrate the measurable impact of ILI’s programs and services.
• Coordinate media relations, press releases, public announcements, and community awareness campaigns.
• Ensure consistency, accuracy, accessibility, and professionalism across organizational communications.
• Use digital marketing tools, search engine optimization, analytics, and emerging technologies to expand public engagement.
• Promote disability-positive, inclusive, accessible, and consumer-directed messaging across all communication platforms.

3. Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships

• Develop and strengthen relationships with businesses, corporations, foundations, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Represent ILI at community meetings, business events, nonprofit networks, and other appropriate public forums.
• Identify partnership opportunities that enhance ILI’s visibility, community relationships, and philanthropic support.
• Work collaboratively with program leadership to promote services, community events, and opportunities for engagement.
• Support organizational efforts to expand community awareness of disability rights, independent living, and cross-disability inclusion.

4. Strategic Planning and Organizational Leadership

• Participate in organizational strategic planning and leadership initiatives.
• Translate ILI’s strategic priorities into measurable marketing, communications, and development objectives.
• Collaborate with the CEO and senior leadership to identify opportunities for organizational growth and financial sustainability.
• Support Board engagement in fundraising, donor cultivation, and community relationship development.
• Coordinate marketing and development activities across programs to ensure consistency and effective use of resources.
• Provide recommendations to executive leadership regarding emerging opportunities, organizational visibility, and development strategies.

5. Fundraising Events and Donor Stewardship

• Plan, coordinate, and evaluate fundraising events, campaigns, and donor engagement activities.
• Oversee the annual Friends of Independence Breakfast and other designated fundraising initiatives.
• Develop sponsorship packages, event budgets, fundraising targets, and post-event evaluations.
• Strengthen relationships with existing donors and sponsors through regular communication, recognition, and engagement.
• Evaluate events and campaigns based on net revenue, donor development, participation, and long-term organizational benefit.

6. Department Management and Performance Accountability

• Supervise assigned marketing and development personnel and coordinate outside consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets, work plans, priorities, and performance objectives.
• Establish measurable performance indicators for fundraising, marketing, community engagement, and donor development.
• Prepare quarterly performance reports for the CEO and other appropriate organizational stakeholders.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing and fundraising initiatives and recommend improvements.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with applicable fundraising, privacy, financial, and organizational requirements.

Requirements

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, nonprofit management, business administration, public relations, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in marketing, fundraising, development, communications, or related leadership functions.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing successful marketing or fundraising strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive writing, public presentations, and relationship development.
• Demonstrated ability to establish goals, manage budgets, coordinate multiple projects, and evaluate performance.
• Experience with digital marketing, social media, website management, donor databases, and standard business technology.
• Strong organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership, staff, Board members, donors, and community stakeholders.
• Commitment to disability inclusion, accessibility, consumer direction, and the mission and values of Independent Living, Inc.

It Would Be a Plus If You Also Have

• Seven or more years of relevant professional experience, including supervisory or management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success securing charitable contributions, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, or major gifts.
• Experience in nonprofit, human services, disability advocacy, or community-based organizations.
• Knowledge of donor management systems such as Network for Good.
• Proficiency with digital communications tools, including WordPress, Google Analytics, Constant Contact, Canva, or comparable applications.
• Knowledge of accessible communications and digital accessibility standards.
• Experience working with Boards of Directors, fundraising committees, and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with the Hudson Valley nonprofit, business, and philanthropic communities.

Success in This Role Will Be Demonstrated Through

• Achievement of established annual fundraising and resource development goals.
• Measurable growth in charitable contributions, donor engagement, retention, and corporate sponsorships.
• Increased organizational visibility, public awareness, and meaningful community engagement.
• Successful implementation of an annual marketing and communications plan.
• Effective management of fundraising events, campaigns, and development activities.
• Strong collaboration with leadership, staff, Board members, and community partners.
• Timely, accurate reporting of departmental performance and outcomes.
• Effective supervision, project management, and responsible use of organizational resources.

Benefits available to you include:

• Paid time off
• 401(k) with company match
• Benefits available from the first day of employment:
• Paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company provided Life, AD&D and Short- and Long-Term disability insurance
• Voluntary insurances including Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity 

We actively support an inclusive hiring process and encourage people with disabilities, visible and non-visible, to apply. If you require reasonable accommodation to support the application or onboarding process, please contact Latoya Merricks at (845) 674-7752.

ILI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.

To apply, visit us at https://www.myindependentliving.org/careers/