Reporting to the Vice President of Development and Alumni Engagement, the Director of Development, College of Performing Arts is a key member of the major gifts team responsible for both strategy development and direct fundraising for the College of Performing Arts (CoPA). The New Schoolâ™s College of Performing Arts includes the Mannes School of Music, the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, and the School of Drama.

The Director of Development will design, execute, and lead strategic fundraising plans for a university-wide portfolio of individual prospects, focusing on the College of Performing Arts. They will provide strategic direction and tactical leadership to increase the number of major gift supporters for CoPA and to ensure consistent levels of annual fund support for respective programs. At The New School, major gift donors are considered to have the capacity to make gifts of $100,000 or more over a one-to-five year period. The director will collaborate with the CoPA deans and faculty, as well as other key partners across The New School, to raise a minimum of $2 million annually. 

The New School is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and particularly seeks applications from members of underrepresented groups, as well as candidates who share this commitment. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Raise a minimum of $2M through individual fundraising, with a concentration on annual, major, and planned gifts 

• Identify at least 50 major or planned gift prospects annually 

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a university-wide portfolio, concentrating on CoPA, of approximately 100 current and prospective major gift donors including alumni, parents, and friends, focusing on in-person solicitation

• Oversee the CoPA Board of Governors, including recruiting new members, planning and running annual meetings, offboarding members, and soliciting annual support 

• Collaborate with the CoPA Deanâ™s Office and Alumni Engagement team to assist in the execution of: Alumni Engagement events, annual CoPA events, special dinners, and CoPA Board of Governor meetings, which are central to CoPAâ™s continued long- term growth in fundraising

• Complete special projects and other tasks as required including drafting letters, briefings, proposals, reports and other text as needed for the senior leadership team

• Volunteer and attend major annual events, including: Major concerts and performances, the Parsons Benefit, and Presidentâ™s Circle Reception

• Ability to travel regionally

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelorâ™s degree, or equivalent education

• 5 to 10 years of experience working in frontline individual gift fundraising

• Experience building and cultivating internal and external relationships 

• Highly motivated with the ability to meet ambitious annual fundraising goals

• An entrepreneurial disposition and the ability to prioritize tasks and think creatively

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Regional travel as necessary 

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice

• Ability to adhere to University COVID-19 Policy 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Higher education fundraising experience

• Knowledge of the New York City fundraising landscape 

• Knowledge of the performing arts and music education  

WORK MODE

• Hybrid/Remote - Employees hired for this position primarily work remotely with the occasional on-campus presence required with advanced notice. Employees in this role will also be expected to use their best judgment to be on campus when necessary in order to best fulfill the responsibilities of their job descriptions. 

SALARY RANGE

$110,000 - $120,000 per annum