Director of Development

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The Art Students League of New York seeks a Director of Development to lead and grow the development department at a time when the institution is preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2025. The League has continuously fulfilled its mission by offering accessible and affordable studio art education and instruction in the context of an Atelier system, and currently serves more than 2,500 students of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels, each month. The Director of Development will be responsible for the League’s fundraising and development efforts, including funding for potential capital campaigns. They seek an entrepreneurial, front-line fundraiser to create and execute a strategy that will set the organization up for success well into the future. The successful candidate will work closely with fellow members of their senior management team, as well as manage a 3-person development team, and outside consultants. The ability to build, manage and expand relationships within and outside the institution will be a key aspect of the role. 10+ years of development/ fundraising experience in a nonprofit organization is required. Someone with experience in the arts and culture field preferred.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Raise funds from individuals, corporations and foundations that will support the League’s operations and growth initiatives
• Work closely with the Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, and Board Development Committee to establish an annual fundraising target, detailing the strategy and budget required to address the financial needs of the organization
• Manage the Development/Database Manager and work closely/collaborate with other internal staff involved in development-related initiatives (e.g., Gallery & Exhibitions department, Exhibition Outreach, Seeds of the League, Works in Public program, etc.)
• Provide input to the marketing and graphic services department for all development-related communications (e.g., solicitations to members, corporate institutions, foundations, grants, donors, and/or prospective donors; social media campaigns; annual and summer marketing appeals; the development and communications section of the ASL website and newsletters)
• Act as the main liaison between the Executive Director and the Board development committee to solicit input needed to move fundraising plans ahead
• Direct the planning, scheduling, and implementation of development initiatives
• and activities
• Solicit and screen a high-potential “short list” of donors to be personally cultivated by the Executive Director and Board of Directors
• Work closely with other League staff as necessary to plan, implement, and manage development initiative
• Expand target donors through community relations, speaking engagements, alumni outreach, newsletters, and charitable events

Other Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain positive relationships across the League, including members, donors, institutions, Board members, and the Press (when appropriate)
• Support the Executive Director as a ‘spokesperson’ as needed, to promote the League and its programs internally and externally
• Supervise the Development/Database Manager who is responsible for managing the League’s fundraising database (Raiser's Edge), data entry, and gift processing
• Prepare quarterly Board meeting presentations and documents in support of development activities

Unique Qualifications of This Job

• Possesses personal and professional confidence and ‘gravitas’ to interact at the Executive and Board level
• A demonstrated ability to solicit major gifts, with an established network of individuals who are interested in supporting the arts in general, and The League in particular
• Has cultural sensitivity and the communication skills necessary to tailor messages to various audiences and in turn, be an effective representative of the League to its diverse constituencies
• A proven ability to partner and collaborate with staff at other organizations
• Demonstrated success in planning, implementing, and managing significant development projects to achieve organization objectives
• An ability to take the initiative and make things happen
• Broad based knowledge of art and its history/cultural impact
• A passionate commitment to The Art Students League’s mission and vision
• A visionary spirit to develop unique and effective fundraising plans

Job Qualifications

• BA or BS from an accredited College or University required; an MA in nonprofit management, public relations, development/ fundraising, or business administration highly desired
• 10+ years of development/fundraising experience in a nonprofit organization; a history of progressively responsible experience in development and fundraising, managing staff and budgets
• CFRE desirable but not required
• Nonprofit experience in the arts & culture sector required
• Experience fundraising for an academic institution a plus
• Experience or familiarity with Raiser’s Edge fundraising database software
• Proficiency in MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams