Chief Development Officer

The Opportunity The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is responsible for overseeing a comprehensive strategy for National Theatre in America's (NT in America) fundraising throughout the United States in support of the National Theatre's (NT) mission to offer the widest access to high-quality theatre in the world. Working closely with the NT in America Executive Director, who is the lead fundraiser within the organization, the CDO oversees all fundraising efforts and manages the NT in America team, including Individual Giving, Events, and oversees the Operations function which includes infrastructure, administration, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit management, and HR. The role's primary focus is active solicitation of major gifts from individuals, as well as from companies and foundations, as needed. The CDO is responsible for developing and implementing a strategy to grow relationships with these donors as well as identifying new donors in the US, with the aim of increasing philanthropic funds, and works closely with members of the NT in America Board and the NT Development team and leadership to achieve this. NT in America currently generates up to $10 million gross income each year in the US (representing at least 20% of the National Theatre's philanthropy annually), with significant potential for growth moving forward. The Chief Development Officer position is a new role that has been created in order to facilitate this growth. Reporting RelationshipsThe CDO reports to the Executive Director, Kirsten Hughes (based in Los Angeles). Direct reports include the Associate Director of Development (based in NYC; line manages Senior Manager, Events and Communications), Senior Manager, Individual Giving (based in NYC), Senior Manager, Development Operations (based in Edinburgh and London; line manages Development Administrator and Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, who is based in NYC), and Manager, Finance and Operations (based in Laguna Beach, CA). Key stakeholders include the Chief Operating Officer (fixed-term contract transition role to develop Operations function, being phased out in Spring 2027 now that the Operations team is set up), NT Director of US Markets (based in NYC), Board of Trustees, Honorary Council, US Artist Council, Nominations Committee, Audit Committee, Gala Working Group, major donors, and NT leadership and the development senior management team. Key Responsibilities: LeadershipManage and motivate the NT in America fundraising team; maximize the team's performance against goals and ensure that the team is meeting financial targets, tracking and supporting progress to budget.Line manage the Associate Director of Development; Senior Manager, Individual Giving; Senior Manager, Development Operations; and Manager, Finance and Operations.Alongside the Executive Director, set organizational culture and tone reflective of the NT's values, culture, and mission.Promote confidence and capability within the NT in America team.Play a wider leadership role as a member of the NT's management team and development department's senior management team and work collaboratively with these teams. Ensure a strong relationship with the NT and promote awareness and integration of NT in America's work throughout the organization.Represent NT in America and NT at the very highest level both internally and with external stakeholders in the US. FundraisingResponsible for meeting a fundraising goal of up to $10 million gross income each year.Oversee asks across the organization to donors up to the $250,000 level, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.Manage a personal portfolio of major donors across the US (predominantly New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara) to secure, retain, and increase their level of support comprising major individual donors ($100,000-$250,000 levels annually), select NT in America Board members, prospective major donors, and institutional donors where applicable.Manage a robust pipeline of major donors and develop proposals in order to secure five- and six-figure+ support, with a personal goal of securing six-figure new and renewed gifts.Conduct regular meetings (calls and in-person) on a daily basis; minimum 16 meetings per month as a guide) with these current and prospective donors.Stewardship of donors in collaboration with the NT in America and NT teams, providing an exceptional level of customer service for donors in the US that sets NT and NT in America apart from other fundraising organizations.Represent NT in America and NT at the very highest level with all donors and prospective donors in the US.Liaise closely with the NT Directorate, artistic teams, and NT Chief Development Officer to ensure they are in communication with and spend time with major donors both in London, in the US, by Zoom, and in writing. Strategic PlanningFurther evolve the current NT in America strategy for fundraising throughout the US (five-year plan and annual plan) to deliver major, sustained growth of annual and project-specific support from individual, corporate, and foundation donors in the US, as well as from fundraising events.Work with the Executive Director to determine the annual fundraising and operational budget.Monitor and evaluate fundraising initiatives undertaken on a regular basis as well as upcoming opportunities (e.g., transfer of NT productions to the US and NT fundraising campaigns).Coordinate with the Executive Director to plan annual and quarterly strategy review and planning meetings with the NT in America team. Board and Committee ManagementEnsure effective use of the NT in America Board for developing prospects and projects, including network mapping and regular calls and meetings.Support the Executive Director with management of the NT in America Nominations Committee to ensure an active pipeline of prospective NT in America Board members with capacity to give at the $50,000+ level annually.Work closely with the Individual Giving team to appoint and steward NT in America Ambassadors in cities throughout the US and maximize their support. OperationsOversee the Operations team and all operational infrastructure, administrative, and HR functions of the organization.Provide senior point of contact for the team on all HR matters including pastoral care, and oversee recruitment, retention, and staff training and development (with support from the NT HR team).Lead on the continued development of effective project management systems, processes, reporting, and analysis that maximize the team's performance against goal and ensure that responsibilities and deadlines are clear.Oversee the annual income and expenditure budget once it has been set with the Executive Director, and oversee the annual audit, providing support where needed for the Manager, Finance and Operations.Ensure compliance with 501(c)(3) legal and fiduciary regulations. Communications and TravelWork alongside the NT's Director of US Markets to foster a strong dialog and collaboration between the NT and its supporters, partners, and artists in the US.Ensure clear objectives and meeting strategy is in place for briefing notes prepared for NT Artistic and Executive team when in the US.Travel to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara for donor events and meetings two to four times a year, and to London at least once a year for the NT in America annual theatre trip and to meet with the National Theatre team and engage with NT productions, projects, and programs.Carry out any other duties as requested by the NT in America Executive Director or Chair. CONTACT NT in America has engaged the executive search firm of Howe-Lewis International to assist the Search Committee in the process. Nominations and expressions of interest will be held in confidence and may be emailed to Kirk McDonald at kirk@howe-lewis.com To apply, please visit howe-lewis.com and click on the “Assignments” tab on the top menu. All expressions of interest will be held in confidence. To view the complete job description, including benefits and compensation, please visit howe-lewis.com.