Development Director

Development Director

Organization:
Bronx Arts Ensemble

Location:

Bronx, NY

Reports to:

Executive Director

Status:
Full-Time (Hybrid), Exempt

Salary: $120k

Bronx Arts Ensemble seeks a dynamic, strategic, and relationship-driven fundraising leader to serve as Development Director. This executive-level role is responsible for advancing the organization’s philanthropic vision and contributed revenue strategy while helping shape the next era of one of the Bronx’s longstanding cultural institutions.

As the organization enters its 55th year, the Development Director will play a central role in strengthening donor engagement, expanding philanthropic support, and building long-term institutional sustainability.

Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Board Development Committee, Board Fundraising/Events Committee, senior leadership team, while overseeing the work of the Development Manager, the Development Director will lead a comprehensive advancement strategy, as outlined in BAE’s newly created strategic plan: “BAE 2031,” that integrates major gifts, annual support, membership, sponsorship collaboration, campaign readiness, stewardship, analytics, and audience engagement into a cohesive fundraising ecosystem.

This position is ideal for a forward-thinking development professional who combines strong relationship-building instincts with strategic vision, analytical sophistication, a passion for mission-driven cultural work, and is an effective communicator with a passion for the arts, community engagement, and equitable access to cultural experiences.

• Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan aligned with organizational goals and budget.
• Establish and achieve annual revenue targets from diverse funding sources.
• Identify new funding opportunities while strengthening existing donor relationships.
• Monitor fundraising performance and prepare regular reports for leadership and the Board.

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors at all giving levels.
• Develop strategies to increase annual giving, recurring donations, and major gifts.
• Coordinate donor recognition and stewardship activities.
• Manage donor communications and appeals throughout the year.

• Develop corporate sponsorship opportunities for programs and events.
• Build relationships with local businesses, community organizations, and civic leaders.
• Identify collaborative funding opportunities that advance the organization's mission.

• Lead planning and fundraising strategy for galas, benefit events, and donor cultivation activities.
• Manage fundraising campaigns, including year-end appeals and online giving initiatives.
• Work with marketing/communications staff to develop fundraising materials and digital campaigns.

• Partner with the Executive Director, Board Development Committee, and Board Fundraising/Events Committee to strengthen board fundraising capacity.
• Support board members in donor cultivation and solicitation efforts.
• Prepare fundraising reports and presentations for Board meetings.

• Maintain accurate donor records and gift acknowledgments using the organization's donor database.
• Oversee gift processing, donor tracking, and fundraising analytics.
• Develop policies and procedures that support ethical fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable fundraising regulations and reporting requirements.

Supervise development staff(Development Manager), consultants, interns, and volunteers as assigned.

• Supervision of the Development Manager:

Monitor & support the Development Manager in the following:

• Set priorities, maintain a grants calendar, and oversee proposal deadlines.
• Ensure timely completion of grant reports and compliance with funding requirements.
• Create grant strategies grounded in research, focusing on organizational growth to support proposal development.

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or CFRE credential is a plus.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience,…