Chief Development & Philanthropy Officer

Association of Fundraising Professionals; New Brunswick (NJ); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

State Theatre New Jersey seeks a bold Vice President of Development to lead philanthropy, strategy, and revenue growth across major gifts, annual giving, memberships, corporate and foundation support.

As senior fundraiser and member of the executive team, you will shape an integrated program that expands donor engagement and strengthens long‑term financial sustainability within a $12-14 million operating budget.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience and seven or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts, are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated success in leading development functions, paired with three or more years of management experience, is important.
• Strong interpersonal, cultivation, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities are essential, along with the capacity to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and donor relationships in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word, and experience using data analysis to inform donor and prospect strategies are valuable.
• The role also calls for the ability to work weekday, evening, and weekend hours as needed to support performances, events, and donor activity.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the performing arts, experience with Tessitura or similar CRM systems, and comfort with reporting software and utilities are advantageous.
• If you do not meet all the qualifications but possess transferable or equivalent skills, experience, or education, we encourage you to apply and highlight those areas.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of annual fundraising and membership campaigns, in coordination with Development staff, that attract philanthropic support for State Theatre New Jersey and advance contributed‑income goals.
• Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual prospects ($10,000+) and donors across all giving levels, with particular emphasis on developing major gift opportunities and building and sustaining long‑term philanthropic relationships.
• Develop and oversee solicitation strategies to engage new and recurring individual and major gift donors, ensuring a strong pipeline and consistent, donor‑centric engagement.
• Create and enhance strategies for renewed and new corporate, small business, and private foundation support, and participate in solicitations when appropriate to deepen institutional partnerships.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of annual fundraising events, ensuring alignment with revenue goals, donor engagement, and institutional visibility.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Marketing and the Director of Communications and Community Engagement to ensure agreed‑upon donor‑ and community‑centric messaging is aligned with Development activities.
• Embrace other fundraising strategy and oversight responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Major gifts

Donor engagement

Fundraising strategy

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

State Theatre New Jersey seeks a bold Vice President of Development to lead philanthropy, strategy, and revenue growth across major gifts, annual giving, memberships, corporate and foundation support.

As senior fundraiser and member of the executive team, you will shape an integrated program that expands donor engagement and strengthens long‑term financial sustainability within a $12-14 million operating budget.