Director of Development

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and present fundraising strategies and plans aligned with institutional priorities
• Partner with executive leadership to refine strategies and incorporate feedback and direction
• Lead the execution of approved advancement initiatives, including major gifts and donor engagement efforts
• Contribute to the development of cases for support and donor-facing materials
• Develop and manage a portfolio of prospective and current donors
• Cultivate, engage, and lead donor solicitation efforts in partnership with executive leadership
• Conduct consistent donor outreach, including meetings, calls, and written communications
• Prepare for and support donor solicitations, including strategy, materials, and follow-up
• Lead the development and ongoing management of a structured donor pipeline across alumni, parents, foundations, corporations, and industry partners
• Track and manage donor movement through all stages of engagement
• Contribute to achieving annual and multi-year fundraising goals through consistent activity and relationship development
• Lead the planning and execution of donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement events in New York and Los Angeles
• Coordinate with leadership on donor-facing opportunities and engagement strategies
• Support relationship-building within arts, entertainment, and philanthropic communities
• Utilize systems such as Little Green Light and Alumni360 to track donor activity and maintain accurate records
• Monitor and report on fundraising activity, pipeline development, and engagement metrics
• Establish and maintain organized processes for donor tracking, follow-up, and reporting
• Grow the advancement function, including potential expansion of staffing as the program develops

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum 5–8+ years of progressively responsible fundraising or advancement experience
• Demonstrated experience developing fundraising strategies and leading or supporting execution
• Demonstrated success supporting or directly contributing to closing gifts, including five-figure and higher commitments
• Experience cultivating donor relationships and participating in gift solicitations
• Experience building or managing a donor pipeline and tracking fundraising activity
• Proven ability to manage multiple donor relationships and priorities simultaneously
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Ability to work independently while incorporating feedback and direction from leadership
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or arts organizations preferred

Position Information

• Full-time, exempt position
• Salary range: $120,000 – $125,000 annually, commensurate with experience
• This position is based in New York or Los Angeles; candidates must reside in the local area
• Hybrid work environment, with a combination of remote work and in-person responsibilities
• Availability for on-campus meetings, events, and donor engagements is required
• Occasional evening and weekend work required for events
• Equal Opportunity Employer