Director of Development; Philanthropy

Are you looking to make a BIG impact? At Zeta, we pursue an unprecedented combination of high academic achievement and social-emotional development for our students. We insist that every student receives a world‑class education while fostering a love for learning. We are passionate about changing the landscape of public education in New York City and beyond, and we are uncompromising in our mission.

Currently, we operate multiple elementary and middle schools in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan , and are opening three new elementary schools in Queens for the 2025-26 school year. We plan to grow and open 1-2 schools each year because children in every community deserve excellent, equitable education. Join our growing team today, and be a change agent for children.

Our Network office is located at 401 W 218th St., New York, NY 10034. Our Network team follows a hybrid work schedule: we work in-person from our office on Tuesdays and Thursdays with optional remote days on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, if your team’s scope of work permits.

To achieve our vision, we are searching for a Head
of Development with a Bachelor’s Degree and 8+ years of experience in nonprofit philanthropy, including individual giving and institutional fundraising, who is fueled by a passion for team success and continual improvement. The ideal candidate has a proven track‑record of effective leadership and building of fundraising teams within a scaling organization; has a creative, problem‑solving mindset; is an incredible written and oral communicator;

excels at building relationships; and is interested in education. The position title will be commensurate with candidate experience.

Zeta’s Development team obtains the private funding needed for Zeta to deliver on its promise of world‑class schooling and achieve its growth plan. In this role, you will lead Zeta’s Development efforts by:

• Establishing Zeta as a top choice for philanthropy for those looking to support innovative solutions to the education crisis and to transform the landscape of public education
• Planning, executing, and evaluating Zeta’s annual fundraising strategy and initiatives to achieve Zeta’s annual fundraising target
• Planning fundraising and other special events, from concept through execution, including sourcing and managing vendors
• Expanding Zeta’s base of support among institutional and individual donors
• Communicating with donors/supporters and board members and answering inquiries in a timely fashion
• Supporting Zeta grant‑writing and award applications
• Managing donor and supporter relationships and visits to Zeta schools
• Creating pitch and solicitation materials, with special attention to tailoring messaging for particular audiences
• Staying on top of fundraising trends in education and the broader nonprofit sector
• Supporting the Head of Strategic Impact and CEO in growing and managing Zeta’s Board of Directors and Board of Trustees

Zeta teammates are lifelong learners who live with child‑like joy and a deep sense of purpose. We disrupt the status quo and tackle problems together. Our team stands united by our commitment to a limitless future for every child. Our Zeta team is comprised of top talent with incredible schooling and private sector experience. At Zeta:

• We are passionate about our mission of providing world‑class education to all students
• We bring a mindset of growth, flexibility, and openness to feedback
• We are hungry and determined to not only meet our goals, but surpass them
• We are humble, willing to put the team’s needs ahead of our own, and committed to contributing to a collaborative work environment
• We have a high bar for excellence and sweat over the details
• We are caring and put team over individual at all times

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. The salary range for this position is between $150,000 and $175,000. New hires can expect to be brought into the organization at a salary at or near the start of the range, depending on relevant experience and internal equity. Compensation is based on our salary scales. This position is eligible to receive an annual discretionary, merit‑based performance bonus.