This is a New York City based hybrid position which requires a blend of onsite work at the UA office in Manhattan’s Financial district, at events and conferences, with schools and district teams across NYC, and opportunities to work from home.

Salary: $125,000

Our target start date is November 17, 2025. Special consideration will be given to candidates who apply by September 17, 2025. This position will remain open until filled.

ABOUT US

The Urban Assembly (UA) is a non-profit that promotes social and economic mobility by innovating in public education, both in its 22 New York City schools and in the solutions it offers to school districts nationwide. The Urban Assembly founded more than 20 small, career-themed high schools in New York City since 1997, pioneering career-connected education. Its school design and support enabled the Urban Assembly to develop high-impact learning solutions for schools and districts nationwide.

Under the mission of advancing students’ social and economic mobility by improving public education, the Urban Assembly partners with schools and districts to design and scale solutions that improve social-emotional learning, post-secondary readiness and success, and instructional quality. The UA values the uniqueness of every student, and our work honors the various social and cultural contexts from which they come. We acknowledge the historical barriers created by education systems to perpetuate the social inequities that keep students of color from accessing postsecondary and career opportunities - and commit to dismantling these barriers.

ABOUT THE JOB

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and supervising a Deputy Director and a Manager, the Director of Advancement & Communications will provide leadership, strategic direction, and management for all Urban Assembly fundraising, communication, public relations, and branding efforts. The Director will create and build upon fundraising strategies that increase the organization's support from individuals and corporations while maintaining its strong support from private foundations and government sources. As the Urban Assembly’s programs expand to serve students beyond NYC, the Director will also be charged to expand support from national foundations. The role involves work at the UA central office in the Financial District, periodic attendance at events in the five boroughs and New York State, and occasional domestic travel.

The key responsibilities of the Director of Advancement & Communications include:

Fundraising Strategy & Execution

• Develop an annual fundraising plan and lead a process to support growth in donations from local and national foundations, corporations, individuals, and government entities

• Identify, cultivate and solicit individuals in support of Urban Assembly’s mission and maintain relationships with a roster of major donors

• Secure and steward government funding, including a multi-year NYC Department of Education contract as well as other city, state and federal opportunities

• Provide clear and timely updates to the CEO and Board of Directors around progress toward fundraising goals

Donor & Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain relationships with program officers and representatives of current foundation and corporate supporters; lead the execution of major grant proposals and reports

• Develop and maintain systems to cultivate all of the UA’s external constituents through personal outreach, invitations, school visits, special events, publications and correspondence

• Nurture and facilitate board relationships in order to support board effectiveness in their fundraising responsibilities

• Work with the UA team to prospect new board members, with particular focus on rising talent with experience advancing racial equity and education reform

Team Leadership & Operations

• Actively supervise a team of a Deputy Director and Manager, developing and maintaining systems to support the Advancement team in producing high-quality and timely work products

• Propose and plan annual fundraising, cultivation, and public relations events

Organizational Strategy & Brand Building

• With the Urban Assembly’s leadership team and Board of Directors, contribute to decision-making regarding organizational strategy and organization sustainability

• Work closely with Urban Assembly’s executive team, board committees, development department and program teams to implement strategic marketing and communication initiatives

• Oversee efforts to build and amplify the UA brand among the UA’s various constituencies

In addition to:

• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

• Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices and processes

• Commit to the mission of the Urban Assembly

• Employ a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance

• Commit to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts

The key competencies of an Urban Assembly staff member include: Problem-Solving, Collaboration, Communication and Listening, Priority-setting and Time Management, Position Expertise, Professionalism, Commitment to Growth and Community

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary of $125,000. The UA also offers an excellent benefits package; including employer-funded healthcare, transit benefits, financial support for professional development, and generous vacation time.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply by visiting our website at Opportunities | The Urban Assembly. No phone calls, please. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Due to a non-compete clause, we are unable to hire staff directly out of NYCPS or central offices, but former NYCPS staff (out of the system for more than 1 year) are encouraged to apply.

OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS

The UA team will review applications on a rolling basis. We use a structured interview process and candidates moving forward in the interview process will be contacted by email regarding a phone screening, interviews and performance tasks.

The UA makes every effort to ensure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. The UA is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email our Deputy Chief of Staff at jobs@urbanassembly.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The UA is an equal-opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The UA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities; protected veterans; and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

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