Executive Director

The White Plains Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, seeks an enthusiastic, energetic, and experienced resource development professional to serve as its Executive Director. As the Executive Director of the Foundation, you will be a vital partner in reinventing the White Plains Public Library, a valued community resource, for new generations of users. 

About White Plains 

White Plains is a suburban city with a full accompaniment of urban amenities. A residential community of nearly 60,000, the population soars to approximately 250,000 during the day as workers, shoppers, and visitors arrive by car, rail, bus, and plane. White Plains is Westchester's premier business market and is home to the county’s largest concentration of retail activity along with high technology firms, law firms, major corporations, and colleges/universities. The 90,000-square-foot Library is located downtown, in a major residential neighborhood with more than 7,000 units of residential housing built or in the approval process. 

White Plains Public Library 

The White Plains Public Library is one of the busiest libraries in the state. Committed to remaining an active and engaging resource for the White Plains community, we continually experiment with new programs and services. With strong and dynamic print and digital collections, the Library today is especially committed to developing programming and in-person services that that provide vital information, opportunities for educational and career advancement, and personal enrichment. 

White Plains Library Foundation 

The White Plains Library Foundation proudly supports the work of the White Plains Public Library to transform lives, every day. The Library Foundation leverages public funding for the Library with private donations to provides critical resources and flexibility to the Library Director and staff for education, literacy, career development, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning to people of all ages, at the Library and online. 

The Foundation also supports many programs and services, and provides opportunities for the Library to experiment and innovate as it develops new initiatives. 

Executive Director Position 

The Executive Director (ED) of the Foundation is responsible for managing all aspects of fundraising and overall operations of the Foundation. Reporting to the Board of the White Plains Library Foundation the ED must have both strategic vision and expertise in developing strategies that will support the Library’s mission. 

Fundraising and Donor Relationships 

In close coordination with the Library Director and Foundation Board of Directors, the ED will develop and implement a fundraising plan, including a potential capital campaign; an annual appeal; events; planned giving; major gifts; proposal writing and solicitation; volunteer management; and cultivation of new, innovative, and non-traditional funding sources. 

The ED will develop, nurture and manage relationships with donors, including: identifying and engaging new potential donors and community stake-holders; developing and implementing stewardship and donor recognition strategies to acknowledge and retain donors; donor special recognition and appreciation events. 

The ED is a key advocate on behalf of both the Library and the Foundation. Activities include communicating the value and importance of the Library and Foundation to individuals, corporations, and philanthropic organizations; cultivation of personal relationships in the community; and building relationships with other non-profits and community-based organizations. The ED is the primary liaison for communication between the Foundation and the Library, 

Primary Responsibilities 

As Executive Director of the Foundation, the ED is responsible for overall Foundation operations, including: 

Develops strategic and operational plans that include organizational growth, capacity building, and alignment with Library and Foundation priorities; serves as staff to Board committees; 

Writes and submits grant applications, and oversees the reporting associated with successful grant awards; 

Works directly with the Foundation Board to strategically recruit and educate Board members, develops financial and fundraising goals, and increases support for the Library and Foundation; 

Implements long-range leadership strategies that foster an innovative, cohesive, and progressive Foundation culture; 

Maintains a data base of donors and provides regular analytics to the Foundation Board including analysis and reporting of donor data and patterns. 

Manages Foundation communications, through newsletters, website, and social media; 

Manages Foundation business operations, contracts and required reporting; 

Working with the treasurer and external accountant, manages preparation of financial reports. 

Attends Library leadership and staff meetings to understand library needs and coordinate appropriate grant applications and other fundraising initiatives in support of these needs. 

Preferred Qualifications 

Track record of developing and sustaining strong benefactor relationships with organizations and individuals; 

Knowledge of White Plains and Westchester philanthropic communities; 

Demonstrated success in designing and leading major fundraising efforts, including a capital campaign; 

Experience working with political, business, and philanthropic community leaders; 

Skills in relationship and coalition building; 

Knowledge of board governance and skill in cultivating board engagement; 

Superior interpersonal skills with an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration; 

Expertise in standard fund development tools and technology, such as donor database management, and in newly emerging fundraising tools and technology, such as mobile and social media/marketing. 

Minimum of five years non-profit fundraising and management experience preferred; Certified Fund Raising Executive credential a plus; 

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. 

Salary and Benefits: Salaried part-time position. Hours to be discussed - with flexibility for 21 to 28 hours per week. Salary range $55,000-72,000 depending on qualifications. 

Benefits include generous vacation/sick leave but no medical benefits. 

For information about the White Plains Library Foundation, please visit our web site: https://whiteplainslibrary.org/foundation/