Vice President, Development

The New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization that since 1817 has been committed to advancing science for the benefit of society. With more than 20,000 Members in 100 countries, the Academy advances scientific and technical knowledge, addresses global challenges with science-based solutions, and sponsors a wide variety of educational initiatives at all levels for STEM and STEM related fields.

The Academy hosts programs and publishes content in life and physical sciences, the social sciences, nutrition, artificial intelligence, computer science, and sustainability. The Academy also provides professional and educational resources for researchers across all phases of their careers. Please visit us online s.org.

DEPARTMENT: Development
REPORTS TO: Chief Business and Finance Officer

The Vice President, Development leads the Academy’s philanthropic strategy and fundraising efforts to secure major gifts, corporate partnerships, and foundation grants that support scientific research, education initiatives, and global collaboration. Serving as both senior fundraiser and strategic leader, this role balances direct donor engagement with oversight of development operations, performance, and long‑term revenue growth.

• Lead and execute the Academy’s comprehensive philanthropic strategy to advance strategic priorities and achieve annual and multi‑year revenue goals.
• Serve as a senior fundraiser by personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high‑capacity donors and strategic partners, while maintaining a robust pipeline of major, principal, and planned gifts.
• Partner with the President & CEO, Chief Business and Finance Officer, Board of Governors, and senior leadership to drive donor engagement, fundraising initiatives, and external partnerships.
• Expand and strengthen corporate, foundation, and institutional partnerships, securing multi‑year funding and sponsorship opportunities aligned with mission priorities.
• Oversee and lead the Development function, including team performance, operations, and fundraising infrastructure, ensuring accountability, efficiency, and results.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics, benchmarks, and reporting systems to track progress against fundraising goals and support strategic decision‑making.
• Identify and pursue new philanthropic opportunities that support program growth, innovation, and long‑term sustainability.
• Represent the Academy externally and position it as a leading partner for philanthropic investment in scientific research, education, and innovation.

• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward high‑capacity donors capable of making transformative philanthropic investments.
• Build and actively manage a pipeline of major, principal and planned gifts.
• Partner with the President & CEO, Chief Business and Finance Officer, and Board leadership on strategic donor engagement and solicitations.
• Strengthen relationships with philanthropists interested in science, education, and innovation.
• Lead select high‑level corporate partnerships, sponsor ships and strategic fundraising opportunities.
• Serve as a key external ambassador for the Academy with donors and corporate partners.

Strategic Leadership and Department Accountability

• Implement and operationalize the Academy’s development strategy in alignment with strategic priorities and financial goals.
• Maintain robust fundraising performance reporting and analytics for Senior Management and the Board to support strategic decision‑making and revenue forecasting.
• Ensure strong fundraising infrastructure, including donor databases, prospect research, stewardship and compliance with all fundraising regulations, ethical standards, and reporting…