Development Director

Development Director 

Organization: Bronx Arts Ensemble

Location: Bronx, NY

Reports to: Executive Director

Status: Full-Time (Hybrid), Exempt

Salary: $120k

Position Summary

Bronx Arts Ensemble seeks a dynamic, strategic, and relationship-driven fundraising leader to serve as Development Director. This executive-level role is responsible for advancing the organization’s philanthropic vision and contributed revenue strategy while helping shape the next era of one of the Bronx’s longstanding cultural institutions.

As the organization enters its 55th year, the Development Director will play a central role in strengthening donor engagement, expanding philanthropic support, and building long-term institutional sustainability.

Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Board Development Committee, Board Fundraising/Events Committee, senior leadership team, while overseeing the work of the Development Manager, the Development Director will lead a comprehensive advancement strategy, as outlined in BAE’s newly created strategic plan: “BAE 2031,” that integrates major gifts, annual support, membership, sponsorship collaboration, campaign readiness, stewardship, analytics, and audience engagement into a cohesive fundraising ecosystem.

This position is ideal for a forward-thinking development professional who combines strong relationship-building instincts with strategic vision, analytical sophistication, a passion for mission-driven cultural work, and is an effective communicator with a passion for the arts, community engagement, and equitable access to cultural experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy

• Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan aligned with organizational goals and budget.
• Establish and achieve annual revenue targets from diverse funding sources.
• Identify new funding opportunities while strengthening existing donor relationships.
• Monitor fundraising performance and prepare regular reports for leadership and the Board.

Individual Giving

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors at all giving levels.
• Develop strategies to increase annual giving, recurring donations, and major gifts.
• Coordinate donor recognition and stewardship activities.
• Manage donor communications and appeals throughout the year.

Corporate and Community Partnerships

• Develop corporate sponsorship opportunities for programs and events.
• Build relationships with local businesses, community organizations, and civic leaders.
• Identify collaborative funding opportunities that advance the organization's mission.

Events and Campaigns

• Lead planning and fundraising strategy for galas, benefit events, and donor cultivation activities.
• Manage fundraising campaigns, including year-end appeals and online giving initiatives.
• Work with marketing/communications staff to develop fundraising materials and digital campaigns.

Board Engagement

• Partner with the Executive Director, Board Development Committee, and Board Fundraising/Events Committee to strengthen board fundraising capacity.
• Support board members in donor cultivation and solicitation efforts.
• Prepare fundraising reports and presentations for Board meetings.

Operations and Data Management

• Maintain accurate donor records and gift acknowledgments using the organization's donor database.
• Oversee gift processing, donor tracking, and fundraising analytics.
• Develop policies and procedures that support ethical fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable fundraising regulations and reporting requirements.

Leadership

Supervise development staff(Development Manager), consultants, interns, and volunteers as assigned.

• Supervision of the Development Manager:

Monitor & support the Development Manager in the following:

• Set priorities, maintain a grants calendar, and oversee proposal deadlines.
• Ensure timely completion of grant reports and compliance with funding requirements.
• Create grant strategies grounded in research, focusing on organizational growth to support proposal development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or CFRE credential is a plus.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience, preferably in the arts or cultural sector.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations.
• Excellent grant writing, written communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing donor databases and fundraising CRM systems.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Experience working collaboratively with boards of directors and senior leadership.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community-centered arts programming.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Bronx philanthropic and cultural landscape.
• Experience with government arts funding, including city, state, or federal agencies.
• Familiarity with fundraising software such as Salesforce, Bloomerang, Raiser’s Edge, or similar CRM platforms.
• Experience planning fundraising events and capital or special campaigns.

Core Competencies

• Strategic fundraising and planning
• Relationship building and donor stewardship
• Grant writing and grants management
• Financial acumen and budgeting
• Leadership and team management
• Communication and public speaking
• Community engagement
• Cultural competency and commitment to equity

Benefits

The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, professional development opportunities, and participation in a collaborative, mission-driven workplace dedicated to expanding access to the arts in the Bronx.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bronx Arts Ensemble is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of the organization. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those who reflect the diverse communities we serve, to apply.