Chief Development Officer

Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Avenue, New York, New York, United States of America

Posted Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Since 1891, New York's Carnegie Hall has set the international standard for excellence in performance, presenting exceptional concerts by the world’s finest artists on its three iconic stages, from orchestral concerts, chamber music, contemporary offerings, and recitals to jazz, world, and popular music. Complementing its performance activities, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute creates extensive music education and social impact programs that annually serve more than 800,000 people worldwide, playing a central role in fulfilling Carnegie Hall's commitment to making great music accessible to as many people as possible.

Department: Development
Title of Position: Chief Development Officer
Reports to: Executive & Artistic Director

• Design and implement multi-year fundraising strategies to support annual operations, capital projects, endowment growth, and special initiatives, including a major 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.

• 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.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government partners for annual, multi-year, and Campaign funding. And has responsibility for overseeing the direction of special events and galas.
• 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.” This campaign 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.
• Cultivate new relationships with potential trustees, donors and sponsors.

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

• 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.

• 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.

To apply please submit a COVER LETTER with your resume.

Carnegie Hall is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the…