Log In
Sign Up
About The Position
The Public Theater’s Development Department is hiring a Major Gifts Officer to operate as a key frontline fundraiser. This individual will report to the Director of Major Gifts and partner closely with the Senior Director, Development and the Major Gifts and Individual Giving Teams, as well as Executive and Artistic leadership. Following the grand reopening of The Delacorte Theater in Central Park in Summer 2025, supported by the Forever Public Capital Campaign, The Public is entering an exciting new chapter. The Major Gifts Officer will be tasked with building successful donor relationships and increasing annual support by cultivating, stewarding, and soliciting a portfolio of major donors and prospects, advancing The Public’s mission and programming. The ideal candidate must be a goal-oriented, collaborative, and strategic fundraiser committed to working within a large team and helping the Development Department achieve its ambitious contributed revenue goals.
Requirements
- 7+ years of experience in a non-profit or for-profit in a fundraising capacity
- 4+ years of front-line fundraising or direct solicitation experience
- Familiarity with the New York philanthropic world and cultural sector is essential
- Knowledge of and passion for the theater/performing arts industry must
- Problem-solver and creative thinker with the ability to multi-task, establish priorities, pivot strategy quickly, and perform under tight deadlines in a very fast-paced environment
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to listen and effectively express ideas and thoughts
- Ability to interact at the highest level with a wide range of constituencies
- Ability to collaborate as part of a large, highly-efficient team
- Exceptional attention to detail and discretion
- Experience with Tessitura (or similar CRM); fluent in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Must be able to attend regular evening events and performances as necessary; occasional weekend events required
Nice To Haves
- familiarity with Canva or similar design software a plus
Responsibilities
- Maintain an active portfolio of at least 120 major donors and prospects, soliciting new, upgraded, and renewed contributions for the annual fund and other special projects
- Build and maintain relationships with donors and prospects via phone & video calls, personal visits, ongoing written contact, personalized emails, and special events
- Schedule, manage, and attend at least 10 face-to-face or virtual meetings per month with donors and prospects for the purposes of discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Document donor meetings, interactions, and correspondence in the data base, demonstrating the highest standards of accuracy, timeliness, thoroughness, and confidentiality
- Participate and collaborate in portfolio meetings and donor strategy discussions
- Engage prospects and current donors in the myriad programming, events, and activities at The Public
- Ability to work in conjunction with The Public’s ongoing capital fundraising and strategic planning efforts
- Partner with other frontline fundraisers to develop and steward major donor councils and affinity groups
- Handle ad hoc project management responsibilities related to donor communication, collateral materials, cultivation event planning, donor program stewardship, and meeting preparation
- Support ongoing Partners Program systems and operations
- Perform additional related duties as assigned
Benefits
- A range of excellent health, dental, and vision insurance coverage options
- Employee Assistance Program and Work-Life Services
- Flexible paid time off
- One paid “day of service” each year
- 10 weeks of paid family leave
- Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
- Commuter benefits for parking and transit
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare
- Pension
- 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
- Life and disability coverage
- Discounted gym memberships
- Free and discounted theater tickets
