POSITION TITLE: Director of Development

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt with benefits package

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

WORKS CLOSELY WITH: Executive Director, Board Chair, and Individual Board Members,

Director of Institutional Giving, Director of Individual Giving, and Assoc. Director of Special Events

OTHER COLLEAGUES: Director of Marketing, Director of Programming, and Director of Finance

The Joyce Theater Foundation is committed to fostering and supporting a diverse and inclusive environment, both on and off stage. We embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms, and value the rich experiences and perspectives that arise from differences in race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and cognitive and physical ability.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Joyce Theater Foundation, New York’s home for dance, seeks an energetic and enthusiastic Director of Development to lead its fundraising effort. The Joyce programs embrace the entire spectrum of movement styles and traditions. The Joyce provides an affordable, state-of-the-art performance venue; creative residencies, fiscal sponsorship and technical, administrative, and financial support for dance companies and dance artists; and educational programs that enhance the public’s understanding and appreciation of dance (www.joyce.org).

The Director of Development manages a staff team of seven and works with a Board of 24 to achieve The Joyce Theater Foundation’s annual $5.75M contributed income goals comprising $3.2M in institutional giving; $2.5M from individuals and events (25%), and the remainder from investment earnings.

The Director partners with the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees to create, implement, and manage a comprehensive annual development campaign that matches The Joyce’s strategic needs and strengthens its support base, particularly in the area of individual giving and major gifts, where The Joyce has identified growth potential.

The Director will be a sophisticated, experienced development professional with a strong track record of building and executing complex development programs that consistently improve revenue and financial results over time. The Director will be an experienced manager who can coach and mentor junior staff while providing senior leadership and executive support to the Executive Director and Board.

The position manages the Board Development and Trustees’ Committees and takes an active role in organizing the Executive Director’s time in relation to fundraising. The Director also identifies and cultivates new major donors and Board prospects directly. Because the position has a high degree of public interaction with major donors on financial topics, the utmost professionalism and a high degree of discretion are also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create and implement an annual, written Development Campaign Strategy articulating the manner and methods through which budgeted financial goals related to individual giving, special events, foundations, corporations, government, and special initiatives will be attained;
• Partner with the Executive Director and board members on all major fundraising initiatives and provide organizational leadership and momentum for the fundraising program and all its elements;
• Supervise the execution of the institutional giving program; ensuring productive, long-term donor relationships and proposal deadlines are met;
• Manage the implementation of an effective major gifts moves management program and an annual fund stewardship program aimed at cultivating deeper ties with current and prospective donors;
• Oversee the prospect research function;
• Supervise the administration/acknowledgment procedures to attain and maintain industry best practices for fundraising administration;
• Track and analyze year-over-year comparative financial performance; provide and present statistical analysis of the fundraising program results to board and senior leaders as needed;
• Identify, develop, and mentor the development staff team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization and demonstrated success in a supervisory development function (managing staff and forging relationships with multiple donors);
• Tangible experience of having expanded and cultivated existing donor relationships over time and closed major gifts personally;
• A customer service mindset combined with excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and prospects and build long-term relationships;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Flexible and adaptable styles; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives;
• Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside The Joyce Theater Foundation;
• A high-energy personality and a genuine passion for The Joyce Theater’s mission and for dance are essential;
• A high level of computer literacy is required, including familiarity with Tessitura.
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred;

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and dance and what you hope to bring to this role.

About The Joyce Theater Foundation

The Joyce Theater Foundation ("The Joyce," Executive Director, Linda Shelton), a nonprofit organization, has proudly served the dance community for over three decades. Under the direction of founders Cora Cahan and Eliot Feld, Ballet Tech Foundation acquired, and The Joyce renovated the Elgin Theater in Chelsea. Opening as The Joyce Theater in 1982, it was named in honor of Joyce Mertz, beloved daughter of LuEsther T. Mertz. It was LuEsther’s clear, undaunted vision and abundant generosity that made it imaginable and ultimately possible to build the theater. Ownership was secured by The Joyce in 2015. The theater is one of the only theaters built by dancers for dance and has provided an intimate and elegant home for more than 400 U.S.-based and international dance companies. The Joyce has also expanded its reach beyond its Chelsea home through off-site presentations at venues ranging in scope from Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, to Brooklyn’s Invisible Dog Art Center, and to outdoor programming in spaces, such as Hudson River Park. To further support the creation of new work, The Joyce maintains longstanding commissioning and residency programs. Local students and teachers (1st–12th grade) benefit from its school program, and family and adult audiences get closer to dance with access to artists. The Joyce’s annual season of about 48 weeks of dance now includes over 300 performances for audiences in excess of 100,000 patrons. Visit Joyce.org for more information.

Joyce Theater Foundation employees share a rich work experience with colleagues who embrace the institution’s mission of programming and promoting a wide spectrum of dance.

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, The Joyce Theater is committed to an inclusive work environment.