Description

THE OPPORTUNITY: Manhattan Theatre Club’s (MTC) prominence as a nationally recognized not-for-profit institution offers a unique opportunity and a distinct responsibility: to honor its rich theatrical legacy by promoting new voices, staging new works, and advancing new perspectives on existing works.

The ideal Chief Development Officer (CDO) candidate will bring strategic advancement leadership and a strong track record of frontline major and principal gift-level experience. They will also have experience leading and developing a high-performing team and serving as a trusted strategic thought partner to MTC’s executive leadership and Board. The CDO will craft and lead a development strategy and program that enhances the existing culture of philanthropy and taps into new sources of prospective donors (with a strong focus on individual major gifts) to increase philanthropic support of MTC.

The CDO reports to and works closely with the Executive Director and collaborates extensively with the Artistic Director, Board of Directors, and colleagues across the organization. The role oversees a development team of 12 spanning Individual Giving, Institutional Giving, Development Operations, and Special Events.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a thriving and highly respected cultural institution that is embracing change, growth, and innovation. MTC values new approaches to philanthropy with a strong focus on major donor relationship management, cultivation, and solicitation. The successful candidate will join a workplace defined by kindness, respect, and collaboration and will inherit a talented and committed development team.

ABOUT MTC: Manhattan Theatre Club is one of New York’s preeminent not-for-profit cultural institutions and a premier destination for both the most talented artists and discerning audiences to return to time and time again. MTC produces season of bold, entertaining, and thought-provoking new plays and musicals at their Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Broadway and two off-Broadway stages at New York City Center.

For over 50 years, MTC has been acclaimed for identifying, fostering, and supporting extraordinary artists at all stages of their careers and for the consistent quality, range, and originality of its over 600 premiers, which include nearly 20% of all the new plays on Broadway since MTC opened the Friedman in 2003. Much of this work has gone on to be mounted around the country and the world, appearing frequently on annual “most produced” lists and amounting to a significant contribution to the American theatrical canon. MTC productions have earned 7 Pulitzer Prizes, 31 Tony Awards, 52 Drama Desk Awards, and 49 Obie Awards, amongst many other honors.

MTC is now entering a new era of leadership with recently appointed Artistic Director Nicki Hunter and Executive Director Chris Jennings, who joined the company in 2023, succeeding Lynne Meadow and Barry Grove, who helmed MTC for 53 and 48 years, respectively. With this team leading a dedicated staff, in concert with the Board of Directors, MTC will continue to embrace its core mission and to grow in its unique space in the industry as a home for new work, new voices, and new perspectives.

FUNDING: MTC has a FY26 operating budget of approximately $28 million. The Development team is responsible for raising a minimum of $9.3 million in philanthropic support annually, a goal the organization seeks to grow strategically over time.

Requirements

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated success in securing principal and major gifts with a strong understanding of the full range of advancement and fundraising strategies.
• Experience partnering with executive leadership and actively engaging and supporting board members in fundraising and governance.
• Deep appreciation for theatre and a genuine commitment to the mission, values, and culture of MTC.
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and align colleagues and volunteers around shared institutional goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft and present a compelling and persuasive case for support.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and experience building and leading a diverse and inclusive team.
• Working knowledge of Tessitura or a comparable fundraising and patron management system.
• Sound judgement and discretion with the ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality with donor and institutional information.
• Ability to attend MTC performances and events on a regular basis to cultivate/steward key donors and prospects.
• An undergraduate degree is desirable.

 The annual compensation range for this role is $200,000-$275,000 commensurate with experience and accomplishments plus attractive benefits.

MTC has engaged the executive search firm of Howe-Lewis International to assist the Search Committee in the process. Nominations and expressions of interest will be held in confidence and may be emailed to Kirk McDonald at kirk@howe-lewis.com