New Music USA is seeking a creative, energetic, and strategic Director of Development who will lead the renewal and growth of contributed revenue from individuals and institutions in an exciting phase of our organization’s development. The Director of Development will be a member of the senior leadership team and work closely with the CEO, board, and communications teams to coordinate and execute long-term fundraising initiatives around New Music USA’s transformative activities.

Job Title:  Director of Development

Classification: Full Time (4 days per week proposals will also be considered)

Reports to: CEO; works closely with communications and grants teams

Salary: $80-100k dependent upon experience, plus generous benefits package including 100% employer-paid health insurance monthly premium and deductible coverage

Location: New York or Los Angeles. New Music USA’s office is in NYC. Core working hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET, flexible for candidates based in LA.

Deadline: August 18, 2021 at 5:00 PM ET

About New Music USA

New Music USA is a national resource for the new music community. We empower and connect US-based music makers, organizations, and audiences by providing financial support, building community, and advocating for the field. Working in collaboration with the music community, New Music USA responds to evolving needs and amplifies the diverse voices of music creators. We envision a thriving and equitable ecosystem for new music throughout the United States.

The budget to support our activities is approximately $2.5 million annually. Revenue includes earnings from endowment, institutional grants (government, foundations, and corporations), and individual donations. We maintain cash reserves and an endowment with a corpus in excess of $15 million. Our staff consists of engaged, committed, and forward-thinking individuals working together in a highly collaborative environment. All of us have strong connections to the arts, many as active artists. We are thinkers and hard workers who have fun doing what we do. We are committed to being part of a culture that supports imagination, connectivity, trust, inclusivity, and empowerment.

New Music USA, an equal opportunity employer, seeks to diversify its staff and strongly encourages people of color to apply. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

About the Director of Development Position

The Director of Development is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all of New Music USA’s fundraising efforts, including the annual fund, institutional giving, corporate giving, and special events. The Director of Development will focus their expertise on growing individual contributions to New Music USA’s Annual Fund, including identifying and cultivating relationships with prospective major gift donors, while also coaching and supervising our Institutional Giving Manager and Administrator. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Director of Development will work with our board members and communications team to coordinate and execute long-term fundraising initiatives——particularly during New Music USA’s 10th anniversary this year.

Director of Development Job Responsibilities:

Institutional Giving

• Supervise, support, and be responsible for the work of New Music USA’s Manager of Institutional Giving by overseeing grant writing, budgeting, reporting, and planning for applications to trusts and foundations
• Sustain and grow New Music USA’s income from trusts, foundations, and governmental sources which is currently $1.25m annually; work with the President on building partnerships that align with our strategic priorities
• Work with the CEO and board to identify new institutional supporters, particularly to finance New Music USA program activity outside of NYC

Individual Giving

• Develop and implement new strategies to sustain and increase income from individuals, (annual income from individuals is currently $280k)
• Develop, plan, and manage our individual donor appeal campaigns with support from the Administrator and Director of Communications
• Plan and manage cultivation events in collaboration with the CEO, board, and communications team
• Work with the President to develop a planned giving strategy
• Initiate contact and secure at least five significant monthly face-to-face cultivation and solicitation meetings—shared between the CEO and Development Director—with donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $2,500 or greater
• Assist the board and CEO with their prospects and solicitations (e.g., provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications)
• Lead and oversee implementation of consistent donor stewardship strategy, including benefit fulfillment
• Oversee and develop board members’ financial contributions to New Music USA and cultivate new board members in collaboration with the CEO and co-chairs

Development Operations

• Lead Development Manager and Administrator’s undertaking of data analysis, Salesforce database management, gift processing, donor acknowledgment, direct mail coordination, board and committee schedules, and executive administration
• Acknowledge major donors through public and private recognition
• Work with Director of Finance and development team on income tracking/reconciliation
• Manage income and expense budgets for the Development department, e.g., for cultivation events

Required Skills and Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in professional fundraising positions or equivalent; prior experience in arts nonprofits and/or music organizations preferred
• Proven track record in securing foundation grants, individual donations, and corporate sponsorships
• Experience in leading and implementing digital campaigns and cultivation events
• Success in managing all stages of donor development, from identification and research to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, using industry tools and managing multiple tasks and deadlines
• Ability to motivate, manage, and mentor staff
• Experience with engaging and supporting a Board of Directors
• Demonstrated knowledge of performing arts philanthropy in NYC, LA, and beyond
• Diplomatic, proactive, and solution-driven professional; strategic, pragmatic, and creative thinker
• Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRMs

Key Attributes:

• Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to manage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills, capacity to grow in a busy and evolving organization
• Sound judgment and discretion
• Resourcefulness, creativity, and strong problem-solving skills
• Positive, out-of-the-box approach
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Passion for new music and New Music USA’s mission

How to Apply: Please email a cover letter and resume in PDF form to jobs@newmusicusa.org with “Your Name_Director of Development” in the subject line. In your cover letter, tell us:

1. Why you are interested in this role at New Music USA
2. How your experience and skills meet the job specification outlined above
3. Where you heard about this role

Please include 3 references with your application, including one person who has supervised you in a previous role. Applications without a personalized cover letter and references will not be considered. All applications and expressions of interest will be held in the strictest of confidence. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made.

The deadline to apply is August 18, 2021, at 5:00 PM ET.