Custom Collaborative

Custom Collaborative 

Custom Collaborative (CC) is a NYC-based non-profit social enterprise that trains, mentors, and advocates for and with no/low-income and immigrant women to build the skills necessary to achieve economic success in the sustainable fashion industry and broader society.

We enrich women and their communities by preparing those facing barriers to employment with skills to own, operate, and contribute to fashion and design businesses at a high economic, social, and environmental standard. Custom Collaborative (CC) envisions a global apparel industry in which all people are fairly compensated for their labor and consumers have access to well-made, sustainably sourced clothes that fit and affirm all bodies.

CC supports women overcoming barriers to employment through three programs: 

1. Training Institute, a paid, full-time 15-week course in the art, technique, and business of fashion; participants graduate with marketable skills and an employment/business plan. 
2. Business Incubator, which supports TI graduates’ businesses by contracting with them for business in partnership with small/mid-size design firms; providing continued coaching, mentorship, and equipment; and placing participants in jobs.
3. Fashion That Works Cooperative Development, in which CC trains our participants and local fashion industry businesses, in participatory leadership and cooperative ownership. 

Custom Collaborative also conducts Anti-Racism Training, for external partners, as an extension of our internal work and to support safe workspaces for our participants.

Director of Programs

This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the work of an award-winning organization. This position will report directly to the Executive Director and will work closely with CC’s program staff and supporting team. The person in this role will develop, manage, and enhance efficient operations of CC’s workforce development and entrepreneurship programs initiatives, in alignment with Custom Collaborative’s vision, mission, values, and priorities.

The person in this new role will direct  programs that are managed by a department of three primary staff, along with short-term consultants. As needed, they will work with other departments at CC to help ensure their departmental goals and the overall organizational mission are met. The Director of Programs is a primary partner in implementing bold programs that position CC as a model in the workforce development field. The Director of Programs will research, plan, and implement Custom Collaborative’s programs. The Director will initiate and set goals for programs according to the strategic objectives, including planning new programs and updating existing programs with milestones, processes, partners, and impact measurement. The Director will create, guide, and oversee an annual programming calendar and daily operations in alignment with CC vision, mission, values, and strategy.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Measurement

• Track records and statistics to ensure all programs meet contractual goals and reporting requirements.
• Develop evaluation strategies to monitor performance and suggest modifications.

Operations

• Work with the Executive Director, Chief of Staff, and Board of Directors to ensure strategic collaboration and alignment across the organization. 
• Support fundraising for Custom Collaborative, including tracking program goals and providing content and insight for proposals/reports, and attend funding partner visits.
• Ensure program operations and activities adhere to legal guidelines and internal policies.
• Support the development and implementation of systems and structures to generate maximum impact.

People

• Engage and energize staff, partners, and supporters through communications and actions.
• Oversee department staff in the planning of workshops to develop program participants’ practical and technical skills.
• Lead program managers to provide feedback and resolve complex problems. 
• Represent CC at public events, including attending community, government agency and partner meetings.

Finance

• Manage and monitor programmatic budgets with program staff. 
• Plan and develop budgets with program and financial staff to monitor and analyze expenses.
• Additional opportunities as assigned by Executive Director

REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work inclusively, effectively, and equitably with diverse groups of people.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to Custom Collaborative’s mission.
• Commitment to racial equity, and comfort applying a racial equity lens to program design and implementation, as well as to interpersonal professional interactions and relationships.
• Knowledge of and connection to the NYC workforce development and entrepreneurship field.
• Strong project management and organizational skills to manage complex projects that result  in measurable success.
• Experience working in a high-performance, collaborative organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work efficiently, manage multiple projects, and adapt to evolving circumstances.
• Confidence to take initiative and make good decisions.
• Must bring enthusiasm, creativity, patience, good judgment and flexibility to the work.
• At least three years of experience in non-profit program management and development. Experience in community organizing, entrepreneurship development, workforce development, adult education, or related field required.
• At least three years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience having either developed and launched a successful initiative or taken an existing initiative to the next stage of growth and impact.
• Collaborative work style that engages colleagues, program participants, and funders.
• Tech-savvy with fluency in the Mac/PC platform and Google Suite, Slack, Monday.com, Salesforce, a strong plus.
• Spoken fluency in a language other than English is preferred.
• All CC staff members participate in organizational fundraising initiatives.

We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements listed, but may not meet all the qualifications. If much of this job description describes you, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits & Compensation:

Benefits include generous and flexible paid time off; paid family and medical leave; healthcare reimbursement plan for employees, dependent children, partners and spouses; supplementary funds to support staff wellness and professional development.

Salary range for this full-time position is $75,000-85,000, commensurate with experience.

 Please note that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Custom Collaborative staff work in a hybrid model (i.e., remote and office work); that arrangement may shift as conditions permit. COVID-19 vaccination is required of all employees.

How to Apply 

Please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

Custom Collaborative is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, HIV status, socio-economic status, marital status, veteran status, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws.

Custom Collaborative

About 

Custom Collaborative (CC) is a US-based non-profit social enterprise that trains, mentors, and advocates for and with no/low-income and immigrant women to build the skills necessary to achieve economic success in the sustainable fashion industry and broader society. We enrich women and their communities by preparing those facing high barriers to employment with skills to own, operate, and contribute to fashion and design businesses at a high economic, social, and environmental standard. CC’s revenue was ~$1.2M, in 2022, and is projected to grow to $2M in 2024. The organization has just secured a new space, centrally located in New York City’s Garment District, and is affiliated with a growing roster of high-profile supporters.

The Role

Custom Collaborative seeks a proven fundraiser to serve in a new leadership position as Director of Development and Communications, joining our staff of nine at an exciting point in our organization’s evolution. With a primary focus on executing growth in fundraising, the Director of Development and Communications leads the team in fundraising, communications, and brand management to raise revenue and expand our influence. The role is primarily focused on (1) raising money through interaction with funding prospects, (2) sharing with the public the impact of Custom Collaborative, and (3) generating substantial results from the preceding.  

The Director will spend considerable time building relationships with and stewarding donors, partners, and prospects, strategically partnering with the Executive Director to cultivate and request major contributions and support. Custom Collaborative’s Executive Director is an enthusiastic fundraiser, who is building a leadership team to strategize and partner with, as the organization continues its upward trajectory. CC is at an inflection point, transitioning from a high-performing local organization to a national and global partner, with support from major philanthropic partners.

The Director will collaborate with the staff, Board of Directors, and other volunteers, and lead a team to set and achieve annual and long-range fundraising and brand visibility goals, regularly measuring progress to ensure success. The Director collaborates with Program staff to support funding needs and priorities and directly supervises the Development and Communications staff. 

What we expect of you:

• Oversee a current calendar and work plans for all fund development efforts, including future grant proposals and reports, mailings, marketing activity, and events. 
• Execute and develop relationship management strategies for all prospects, including research, visit strategy and execution, making asks, managing follow up activities and engaging other members of the CC team.
• Ensure that all major donors receive appropriate, consistent engagement and accounting of their gift’s impact. 
• Support the efforts of donor-ambassadors engaged in peer-to-peer cultivation and solicitations. 
• Plan and execute 3 – 4 small donor cultivation events per year, with support of staff, volunteers, and partners.
• Institute planned giving support options for donors 
• Develop and execute effective marketing/communications campaigns and manage ongoing content, including copy for marketing materials (i.e. brochures, press releases, website).
• Execute an organizational strategy for excellence in external relations.
• Manage a team, including developing annual plans and budgets. 
• Be flexible and comfortable in a dynamic environment, with excellent follow through. 
• Be well-organized and have good decision-making and delegation skills.

What you can expect of us:

• Supportive colleagues
• Commitment to the organization’s mission
• Commitment to your professional development and growth
• The tools and budget necessary to succeed at your job
• Clear expectations and partnership to meet them
• Compassion

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Requirements

• A clear history of growing organizational revenues in relationship-driven fundraising including a track record of soliciting gifts, grants, and substantial investments of $25,000+ from foundations, high net worth individuals, and others.
• Relevant knowledge of philanthropic giving trends and best practices.
• Demonstrated leadership of development teams in matrix organizations. 
• Record of prioritizing/initiating new opportunities to expand donor base and stewarding strong relationships with funding sources.
• Prior representation of organizations at all levels of engagement with external stakeholders and media representatives, including strategic meetings and speaking engagements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and build relationships with people from a wide diversity of backgrounds and cultures, including staff, colleagues, volunteers, and donors 
• At least 7 years of relevant experience.
• Track record of success in meeting and exceeding fundraising goals.
• Proven ability to establish objectives, set performance standards, and organize and motivate a team to achieve goals.
• Experience hiring, mentoring, and retaining staff.
• Demonstrated project management, organization, delegation, and prioritization skills.
• Experience motivating and collaborating with volunteers.
• Proven ability to work within a POC-led multi-cultural team that is building an inclusive and equitable workplace committed to racial and gender equity and justice.

Reporting Structure:

• Reports to the Executive Director
• Oversees a staff of four: two each in Development and Communications.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé to [email protected]. Your cover letter should answer the following:

1. What is your proudest fundraising success and why it makes you proud.
2. What is it that most excites you about this role and what you could bring to our team.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. No inquiries by third-party vendors and no phone calls please. Base salary range is $95,000 – 105,000 annually; the position is bonus eligible. Benefits include generous and flexible paid time off: 4 weeks leave; paid leave the last week of the calendar year; two floating, and several other holidays; paid family leave; healthcare reimbursement plan; transportation benefits; disability insurance; supplementary funds to support staff wellness and professional development.

Custom Collaborative is committed to equity and inclusion. Everyone is encouraged to apply, especially LGBTQIA+ people, people of color, and people with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected class.

Custom Collaborative