Director of Development

Director of Development About the Opportunity

Ballet Hispánico, the nation’s leading American Latino dance company, seeks a new Director of Development. This is an exciting opportunity for a fundraising leader who has an abundant passion for dance and the performing arts, a deep appreciation of Latine culture, and an inherent understanding of philanthropy to inspire a wide range of individuals in their commitment to the organization. While the Director of Development will be a capable team leader and project manager, they will also be adept in communicating the value and impact of an organization as unique as this one.

Based in New York City, Ballet Hispánico maintains a facility on the upper west side of Manhattan that encompasses a School of Dance, offering more than 100 classes each week, and rehearsal studios, utilized by the Company and a wide variety of artists through a rental program. At the same time, the Company captivates audiences across the U.S. and beyond, through its extensive touring calendar, which includes a season at New York’s City Center each spring.

Through its Community Arts Partnerships, Ballet Hispánico reaches close to 30,000 community members via 200+ educational programs and offering 1,100 free tickets to New York City performances each year. The incoming Director of Development will have the opportunity to celebrate and harness the power of these accomplishments and Ballet Hispánico’s local and global impact. Gaining a department of three under them, and a strong collaborative partnership with the executive team, this leader will arrive eager and energized to advance institutional and individual philanthropic relationships.

Ballet Hispánico is the largest cultural institution of its kind in the United States. For over five decades, it has been a beacon of artistic excellence, celebrated for its bold repertory and exceptional training programs. The Company has commissioned over 100 original works, performed on the world’s most prestigious stages, and inspired generations through performances, education, and community engagement. Recognized as one of America’s Cultural Treasures by the Ford Foundation, Ballet Hispánico continues to redefine what it means to be an American dance company.

At the helm is Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, a former Ballet Hispánico dancer and acclaimed choreographer who assumed leadership in 2009. Under his dynamic guidance, the Company has entered a new era—broadening its artistic scope, deepening its repertory, and elevating its distinctive movement language. Vilaro carries forward the founding vision of Tina Ramirez, who launched Ballet Hispánico in 1970 to celebrate the beauty of Latino cultures through dance.

Today, Ballet Hispánico stands not only as a cultural institution, but as a movement—pushing the boundaries of performance while honoring the traditions that shaped its legacy.

The Director of Development will direct and expand all aspects of Ballet Hispánico’s development activities, including donor cultivation and stewardship, annual and special gift campaigns, the annual gala, and institutional giving from foundations, corporations, and government agencies. They will be an organized communicator and manager, comfortable partnering with leadership to move strategies forward, and knowledgeable about working with boards. Individual Giving and major gift solicitations will be central to their responsibilities and skill set.

However, overseeing institutional giving processes, furthering event strategy, and building an annual development plan will be integral components of this position. While they will have the chance to honor the historic legacy of this important company, they will also need to be forward-thinking,…