• director of boatbuilding
• chief development officer

Organizational Background

Rocking the Boat began as a boatbuilding afterschool program for high school students in the South Bronx and was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2001. Today, the organization, with an annual budget of over $5 million, is a hub of youth development programming that serves nearly 5,000 community members annually across three locations in New York City and San Francisco. The mediums of boatbuilding, environmental science, and sailing are paired with social-emotional, academic, and career counselling by a team of licensed social workers and a college counselor to have a profound and lasting impact on participants.

Position Summary

The Director of Boatbuilding coordinates all boatbuilding-related activities and infrastructure across the organization and manages all boatbuilding staff. This includes leading the year-round high school Boatbuilding Youth Development Programs, supporting the boatbuilding and carpentry components of Middle School and Public Programs, managing the sourcing and maintenance of all wooden boatbuilding materials, tools, and equipment, and supervising the maintenance and upkeep of Rocking the Boat's fleet of wooden rowing and sailing boats. The position manages three full-time staff: two Boatbuilding Program Managers and Boat Maintenance Assistant and supports the Program Managers in supervising their respective Program Assistants and apprentices. The Director of Boatbuilding must be an experienced leader with significant staff supervision, shop, and project management skills, a technically proficient wooden boatbuilder, and have program administration experience that supports the successful oversight of a suite of wooden boatbuilding-based youth development programs. The position reports to the Chief Youth Development Officer and is a full-time, exempt position.

Responsibilities

Program Development and Execution

• Ensures the development, planning, management, and implementation of a comprehensive boatbuilding-based youth development and job readiness program
• Oversees two Boatbuilding Program Managers in their respective roles:
  • Student Program Manager --leads an introductory boatbuilding-based youth development program for 9th and 10th graders over three annual semesters
  • Job Skills Program Manager -- leads an advanced boatbuilding-based job readiness program for 11th and 12th graders
• Oversees all program design and delivery in both Student and Job Skills programs, formally incorporating the technical skills and principles of positive youth development codified in Rocking the Boat's boatbuilding curriculum
• Supports the Middle School Program Manager in developing and delivering the Boatbuilding component of the Middle School Program (10 weeks of curriculum in the school year and 1-2 days per week during the 6-week summer semester)
• Supports Public Programs with project preparation and curriculum development for their day-time work with visiting school groups
• Collaborates with other Program staff and the Youth Services team on program development, shared programming, individual participant support, and cross-organizational training opportunities
• Oversees trip planning for day and overnight off-site excursions designed to introduce participants to related professional opportunities; attends relevant day trips and overnight trips including the Wooden Boat Show and the bi-annual Teaching with Small Boats Alliance conference
• Ensures that the Student and Job Skills programs are being continuously monitored and evaluated for successful delivery and optimal participant impact
• Makes certain that all programmatic activities and commitments to dedicated funding sources are met
• In the event of staff vacancies, ensures programmatic continuity

Program Facilities, Equipment, and Safety

• Organizes, manages, and maintains Rocking the Boat's shop, tools, and other equipment, including managing purchasing and inventory
• Sources all wooden boatbuilding materials including purchasing and, when possible, arranging for donations of local oak and cedar; this includes coordinating with landowners and portable sawmill operators as well as identifying pre-milled stock
• Oversees asset management of Rocking the Boat's active fleet of 20 wooden rowing boats and six sailboats, two powerboats, and rowing and sailing equipment which includes:
  • Ongoing fleet repair and maintenance
  • Large scale repair and restoration work as needed
  • Preparing boats as necessary for fundraising and other promotional purposes
  • Marketing and any restoration needed to sell or donate boats no longer in use
• Follows, enforces, and ensures boatbuilding staff and participants adhere to safety protocols; continually reviews and improves protocols as necessary

Staff Supervision and Development

• Hires, trains and supervises two Boatbuilding Program Managers and Boat Maintenance Assistant
• Provides ongoing management, training and guidance for the Boatbuilding team and shop safety training for all staff
• Supports the success of the Boatbuilding team in the following ways:
  • Develops systems for managers to track participants' technical skills progression
  • Creates and maintains realistic timelines for project completion
  • Provides team supervision around time management, balancing competing priorities, and maintaining sustainable workloads

Program Administration

• Ensures the Boatbuilding Department maintains accurate participant records including attendance, technical skills development, and other data needed to support program delivery and communicate impact externally
• Supports the Development team with grant proposals, budgeting, and reporting requirements
• Assists in budget development and tracks program budget; sources and purchases needed materials and equipment within the parameters established in annual budgets; provides timely and accurate accounting of all expenses

Cross-Organizational Support

• Participates in fundraising activities as requested
• Contributes to the maintenance of shared resources
• Manages program volunteers and hosts visitors
• Participates in other activities as necessary to fulfill the mission of Rocking the Boat

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience building and repairing traditional wooden boats and managing a dynamic shop environment
• Experience in managing complex, multi-faceted projects
• Experience or interest in working with youth in a non-traditional educational setting
• Experience managing and supervising employees• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic, collaborative team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in basic computer applications
• Willingness to work long days and weekends, as necessary
• Valid driver's license

Rocking the Boat offers:

• Full-time salaried position: $90,000 - 100,000, commensurate with experience
• Benefits package including Health, Vision, Dental and 401k with 6% employer match after first year of employment
• Paid Time Off
  • Vacation: 23 days; increase to 28 days after three years
  • NYS Sick and Safe Time: 40 hours
  • Holidays: 10 days
• Compensatory time for work on weekends, holidays, and overnight trips
• Opportunity to work with a creative, well-funded organization committed to staff well-being, sustainable work practices, and a workplace culture that values open communication and staff perspective

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Rocking the Boat

Rocking the Boat is committed to creating an environment that promotes the diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging of all applicants and employees. The organization strives not only to accept but to affirm and celebrate all identities. Race, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and veteran status are not barriers to employment at Rocking the Boat. Please feel welcome to communicate any special needs or requirements to be accommodated throughout the hiring process.

To apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to Ali Abate, Chief Youth Development Officer at

ali@rockingtheboat.org with "Director of Boatbuilding" as the subject.

Organizational Background

Rocking the Boat began as a boatbuilding afterschool program for high school students in the South Bronx and was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2001. Today, the organization, with an annual budget of over $5 million, is a hub of youth development programming that serves nearly 5,000 community members annually across two locations in the Bronx and San Francisco. The mediums of boatbuilding, environmental science, and sailing are paired with social-emotional, academic, and career counselling by a team of licensed social workers and a college counselor to have a profound and lasting impact on participants.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Development Officer is an integral member of a four-member Management Team, including the Chief Youth Development Officer and Executive Director – San Francisco. The position leads a three-member Development team in the Bronx, rounded out by the Deputy Director of Development, Director of Special Events, and the Director of Communications, and is supported by the Office Manager. The position is responsible for collaborating with the CEO and the Board of Directors to raise a diversified annual budget of $5 million to support the organization’s youth development activities as well as funding necessary for capital acquisitions and improvements. Program areas for funding include after-school and summer programs for middle and high school students in traditional wooden boatbuilding, environmental education, and sailing, a job readiness program, comprehensive student support services, and programs for schools, businesses, and the local community.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow Rocking the Boat’s individual major giving program, developing and executing strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects. Build and actively manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, developing personalized engagement and solicitation strategies and maintaining consistent, meaningful contact throughout the donor relationship. Support the Chief Executive Officer and Board members in leveraging their networks and relationships to advance fundraising goals.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director of Development on foundation, corporate, and government fundraising, including conducting prospect research, developing letters of inquiry, grant proposals, budgets, and reports to foundations, corporations, and public agencies in partnership with program staff and outside partners.
• Advise and support the Development team in the San Francisco office, providing guidance on strategies, sharing fundraising best practices, and helping strengthen donor engagement and relationship management.
• Work closely with the Director of Communications to develop compelling donor-facing and promotional materials, including website content, quarterly promotional pieces, fundraising appeals, and event-specific communications that support individual and institutional fundraising goals.
• Collaborate with the Director of Special Events to plan and execute two major annual fundraisers and other smaller special events, including managing committees, developing invitations and donor communications, serving as liaison with venues, honorees, and volunteer fundraisers, securing sponsors, and coordinating logistics.
• Ensure timely and personalized donor stewardship, including written acknowledgements, follow-up communications, impact reporting, and other touchpoints that strengthen donor relationships and encourage continued and increased support.
• Maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the Salesforce donor database, ensuring accurate records of gifts, donor interactions, prospects, moves, and other relationship-management information
• Track and manage fundraising activity and deadlines, including proposals, reports, solicitations, stewardship activities, and opportunities; stay informed about new RFPs and emerging funding opportunities.
• Attend Board meetings, programmatic events, donor meetings, and other organizational activities to deepen knowledge of Rocking the Boat’s programs and impact and to build authentic relationships with donors and supporters.
• Collaborate across the organization to advance Rocking the Boat’s fundraising goals, serving as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer, fellow members of the Management Team, the Board, and program staff, helping to foster a strong culture of donor stewardship throughout the organization.

Requirements

• At least ten years of progressive nonprofit development experience, including significant experience in individual major giving, donor relationship management, and developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft and edit compelling donor communications, harness AI for efficiency, and make effective verbal solicitations
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual major donors and build long-term donor relationships
• Strong interpersonal skills and responsiveness, with the ability to build trust and maintain effective relationships with donors, Board members, colleagues, and external partners
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects simultaneously
• Strategic, creative, and flexible approach to fundraising and problem-solving
• Excellent proofreading and editing skills
• Proficiency with Salesforce; ability to use fundraising data to inform strategy and track donor engagement
• Knowledge of youth development, interest or experience in sailing, woodworking, or environmental education, and familiarity with the Bronx and/or New York City nonprofit community preferred

Rocking the Boat offers

• Full-time, exempt, salaried position: $150,000-$160,000, commensurate with experience
• Hybrid schedule, if desired
• Benefits package including Health, Vision, Dental and 401k with 6% employer match after first year of employment
• Paid Time Off
• Vacation: 23 days; increase to 28 days after three years
• NYS Sick and Safe Time: 40 hours
• Holidays: 10 days
• Opportunity to work with a creative, well-funded organization committed to community development and youth empowerment

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Rocking the Boat

Rocking the Boat is committed to creating an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging of all applicants and employees. The organization strives not only to accept but to affirm and celebrate all identities. Race, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and veteran status are not barriers to employment at Rocking the Boat. Candidates should feel welcome to communicate any special needs or requirements to be accommodated throughout the hiring process.

To apply

To apply please send a detailed cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and qualifications along with a current resume to Jaye Pockriss, Chief Operating Officer at jaye@rockingtheboat.org with Chief Development Officer as the subject.