Director of Development

Director Of DevelopmentAMDA College of the Performing Arts, with campuses in New York City and Hollywood, is one of the foremost post-secondary performing arts colleges in the country. AMDA offers various pathways for students to receive unparalleled performing arts education taught by world-class industry professionals, including Professional Conservatory Certificates as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Associate of Occupational Studies, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts).AMDA is seeking a Director of Development to lead the development and execution of the institution's fundraising and donor engagement efforts. This role will be responsible for building AMDA's first comprehensive advancement program, including developing strategy, establishing a donor pipeline, and driving consistent, measurable fundraising activity. In close collaboration with executive leadership, the Director will play a central role in achieving a multi-year goal to grow philanthropic support into the multi-million-dollar range through engagement with alumni, families, and industry partners.Working in close partnership with executive leadership, the Director of Development will develop and present fundraising strategies, incorporate leadership input and direction, and lead the execution of advancement initiatives. This role will focus on cultivating donor relationships, building a sustainable pipeline, and driving consistent fundraising activity in alignment with institutional priorities.The Director of Development will leverage existing tools, including Little Green Light CRM and Alumni360, to support donor tracking, engagement, and reporting, and will contribute to establishing the structure and processes that will guide AMDA's long-term philanthropic efforts. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role that requires both initiative and collaboration, with responsibility for driving strategy forward, refining it in partnership with leadership, and executing against defined fundraising goals. This role requires a results-oriented approach, with the ability to translate strategy into execution and drive forward measurable fundraising activity.Primary ResponsibilitiesDevelop and present fundraising strategies and plans aligned with institutional prioritiesPartner with executive leadership to refine strategies and incorporate feedback and directionLead the execution of approved advancement initiatives, including major gifts and donor engagement effortsContribute to the development of cases for support and donor-facing materialsDonor Cultivation & SolicitationDevelop and manage a portfolio of prospective and current donorsIdentify, cultivate, and lead donor engagement and solicitation efforts in partnership with executive leadershipConduct consistent donor outreach, including meetings, calls, and written communicationsPrepare for and support donor solicitations, including strategy, materials, and follow-upPipeline Development & Fundraising GoalsLead the development and ongoing management of a structured donor pipeline across alumni, parents, foundations, corporations, and industry partnersTrack and manage donor movement through all stages of engagementContribute to achieving annual and multi-year fundraising goals through consistent activity and relationship developmentEvents & Donor EngagementLead the planning and execution of donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement events in New York and Los AngelesCoordinate with leadership on donor-facing opportunities and engagement strategiesSupport relationship-building within arts, entertainment, and philanthropic communitiesSystems, Reporting & OperationsUtilize systems such as Little Green Light and Alumni360 to track donor activity and maintain accurate recordsMonitor and report on fundraising activity, pipeline development, and engagement metricsEstablish and maintain organized processes for donor tracking, follow-up, and reportingGrowth of Advancement FunctionContribute to building foundational development processes and practicesSupport the long-term growth of the advancement function, including potential expansion of staffing as the program developsQualificationsBachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferredMinimum 5–8+ years of progressively responsible fundraising or advancement experienceDemonstrated experience developing fundraising strategies and leading or supporting executionDemonstrated success supporting or directly contributing to closing gifts, including five-figure and higher commitmentsExperience cultivating donor relationships and participating in gift solicitationsExperience building or managing a donor pipeline and tracking fundraising activityProven ability to manage multiple donor relationships and priorities simultaneouslyStrong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skillsHighly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-throughAbility to work independently while incorporating feedback and direction from leadershipExperience in higher education, nonprofit, or arts organizations preferredPerformance ExpectationsDevelop and present clear, actionable fundraising strategiesMaintain a high level of consistent donor outreach and engagement activity, including meetings, calls, and follow-upBuild and grow a qualified donor pipeline with measurable movement over timeDemonstrate progress toward defined fundraising outcomes through pipeline development and donor engagementActively contribute to and support donor cultivation and solicitation effortsMaintain accurate and timely documentation of donor interactionsProvide regular reporting on fundraising activity and outcomesContribute to achieving defined fundraising goals and establishing sustainable development practicesInitial PrioritiesDevelop and present an initial fundraising strategy and implementation planEstablish a qualified donor pipeline and outreach cadenceInitiate donor engagement and begin building relationships across key constituenciesImplement consistent tracking, reporting, and follow-up processesPosition InformationFull-time, exempt positionSalary range: $120,000 – $125,000 annually, commensurate with experienceThis position is based in New York or Los Angeles; candidates must reside in the local areaHybrid work environment, with a combination of remote work and in-person responsibilitiesAvailability for on-campus meetings, events, and donor engagements is requiredTravel between campuses may be requiredOccasional evening and weekend work required for eventsEqual Opportunity EmployerAMDA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.