Chief Development Officer

Department: Development

Title of Position: Chief Development Officer

Reports to: Executive & Artistic Director

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Design and implement multi-year fundraising strategies to support annual operations, capital projects, endowment growth, and special initiatives, including the $350M Campaign.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy across the organization, engaging trustees, donors, patrons, and volunteers.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for Carnegie Hall, representing the institution at internal and external events.

Team & Department Management:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing development team (33 staff, 9 direct reports), ensuring the department is structured and resourced to achieve ambitious goals.
• Champion professional development and a collaborative, inclusive work environment.
• Oversee the adoption of best-in-class fundraising systems, data analytics, and donor engagement tools.

Fundraising & Donor Relations:

• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government partners for annual, multi-year, and Campaign funding.
• Personally solicit and close principal gifts; support the Executive & Artistic Director and Board in their fundraising efforts.
• Develop and execute strategies for planned giving, membership, and special campaigns.
• Lead the Board of Trustees Campaign Steering Committee and support the Chairman and the Executive & Artistic Director in achieving the “Campaign for the New Generation.” The $350 million goal will secure essential artistic, music education and social impact programs; build the endowment fund to sustain these programs long-term; and invest in capital projects to maintain our landmark building.

Board & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board of Trustees on all development matters.
• Manage Board and Committee meetings, communications, and fundraising initiatives.
• Partner with individual trustees and committees to advance fundraising priorities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with senior leadership to align fundraising with programmatic and institutional priorities.
• Collaborate creatively with marketing, finance, and artistic teams to maximize philanthropic impact.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum 10 years of relevant fundraising leadership, ideally within a major cultural or nonprofit institution.
• Demonstrated and practiced ability to evaluate and prioritize fundraising initiatives that align with organizational goals.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts and working with high-net-worth individuals and institutional funders. With the ability to build strategy with an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach.
• Exceptional communication and applied emotional intelligence, with the ability to cultivate strong relationships, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams in a dynamic, mission-driven environment and able to inspire others with Carnegie Hall’s vision and mission.
• Experience with fundraising technology, data-driven decision-making, and change management.
• Commitment to an inclusive leadership approach.