What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Development position at Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Inc.?
LMCC is Manhattan’s Arts Council—a dynamic non-profit organization with a 50 year
history of supporting and connecting artists and communities throughout Manhattan.
Founded in 1973, LMCC serves hundreds of artists and tens of thousand of audiences
each year through robust Re-granting and Artist Residency Programs as well as a
dynamic calendar of free public art events throughout Manhattan and at the Arts Center
at Governors Island—a 40,000 square foot arts center that is activated year round with
public programs and art exhibitions.
We are a 20 person team of passionate and devoted arts leaders and administrators,
providing funding, studio and rehearsal space, professional development, and leadership
in cultural planning and advocacy. All activities and operations are supported by a $6M
budget and the leadership of an engaged Board of Directors.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
LMCC seeks a full-time Director of Development who will join our Institutional
Advancement (IA) team and play a critical role in shaping the future of our arts and
culture programs through innovative fundraising strategies. The Director of Development
will work collaboratively to elevate the visibility of LMCC’s services and programs,
pursue public/private funding opportunities, and build sustainable partnerships to support
our long-term growth. This position will oversee all contributed income streams including
individual, foundation, government, and corporate giving as well as lead our annual gala.
The Director of Development will report to the Vice President of Institutional
Advancement and work closely with the President, the Board of Directors, and key
stakeholders to develop dynamic strategies that increase LMCC’s impact and deepen its
relationships with funders. They will oversee a 2 - 3 person Development team, hire and
manage independent contractors, and work collaboratively with Director-level staff
across departments.
Above all, we are looking for a leader who is entrepreneurial in spirit, passionate about
arts and culture, innovative in their storytelling, and committed to building a diverse and
inclusive community of supporters. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding
of the current challenges in the arts and culture sector and will be able to develop
creative fundraising strategies to advance LMCC’s mission.
We encourage a diverse pool of applicants to apply, including those who may not meet
every qualification but are enthusiastic about growing into this leadership role. We are
committed to mentoring and developing the right candidate to thrive as part of our team
and positively contribute to our organizational culture.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Fundraising Strategy and Leadership
● Develop and implement an integrated fundraising plan to grow individual and
institutional giving.
● Set annual fundraising goals in partnership with the Vice President of Institutional
Advancement, President, and Board of Directors.
● Oversee donor communications, acknowledgments, and stewardship strategies.
● Project, manage, and re-forecast the annual development department budget.
Major Events and Gala Production
● Lead the planning, production, and execution of the annual gala and other large-
scale fundraising events.
● Coordinate event logistics, including sponsor relations, venue, entertainment,
and auctions.
● Collaborate with the Board of Directors and event committees to secure high-
level event sponsorships.
Institutional Funding Management
● Oversee and implement the institutional giving strategy for foundations,
corporations, and government funders.
● Manage and grow the portfolio of institutional funders by identifying new
prospects and cultivating relationships.
● Ensure timely submission of grant proposals and reports, working closely with
the Grant Manager.
Special Donor Cultivation and Engagement
● Plan and execute special cultivation events to engage current and prospective
donors.
● Develop strategies to foster meaningful, long-term relationships with individual
donors, including major gifts.
● Collaborate with program staff to align funding priorities with organizational
needs and goals.
Team Leadership
● Directly supervise the Grant Manager, Development Assistant, and development
interns, providing mentorship and support to ensure team success.
● Supervise Independent Contractors (as needed).
● Work closely with the President, Board, and other senior leaders to align
development strategies with organizational goals.
Donor Management and Reporting
● Oversee donor data management, ensuring accurate records in the
CRM/database.
● Generate reports on fundraising progress and regularly present updates to
leadership and the Board.
QUALIFICATIONS:
● 5 - 7 years of progressively responsible development experience, with a track
record of success in managing individual and institutional giving.
● Experience planning and executing large-scale fundraising events, such as
galas.
● Strong understanding of foundation, government, and corporate grant processes.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to
communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
● Proven leadership abilities, including experience managing a team and
collaborating across departments.
● Knowledge of Salesforce and/or other CRM systems and fundraising platforms.
● Proficiency using Google Workplace, Microsoft Office, especially with Excel.
● Passion for the arts and culture sector.
COMPENSATION
The salary for this position is $100,000 and includes an attractive benefits package
including health coverage, dental and optional vision plans, life insurance, four (4) weeks
of annual vacation, plus generous personal and sick days. Health benefits begin three
(3) months after the first date of employment.
We maintain a hybrid work schedule, requiring Tuesday - Thursday in-office at the Arts
Center at Governors Island with remote work on Monday & Friday. This is an exempt
position and will require night and weekend availability.
HOW TO APPLY
● Please email a resume and cover letter, outlining your qualifications and interests
in the position, addressed to Moe Yousuf, Vice President of Institutional
Advancement, at jobs[at]lmcc.net.
● In the subject line include “Director of Development: YOUR NAME.” No phone
calls please. Only those we wish to interview will be contacted.
LMCC is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse,
inclusive, equitable, and safe environment for its staff. We strongly encourage
applications from individuals who self-identify as BIPOC and/or women. LMCC prohibits
any kind of discrimination on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, age, sex,
national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,
genetics, protected veteran status, economic status, or any other characteristic
protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Salary : $100,000