DescriptionAMDA is seeking a Director of Development to lead the development and execution of the institution's fundraising and donor engagement efforts. This role will be responsible for building AMDA's first comprehensive advancement program, including developing strategy, establishing a donor pipeline, and driving consistent, measurable fundraising activity. In close collaboration with executive leadership, the Director will play a central role in achieving a multi-year goal to grow philanthropic support into the multi-million-dollar range through engagement with alumni, families, and industry partners.
Working in close partnership with executive leadership, the Director of Development will develop and present fundraising strategies, incorporate leadership input and direction, and lead the execution of advancement initiatives. This role will focus on cultivating donor relationships, building a sustainable pipeline, and driving consistent fundraising activity in alignment with institutional priorities.
The Director of Development will leverage existing tools, including Little Green Light CRM and Alumni360, to support donor tracking, engagement, and reporting, and will contribute to establishing the structure and processes that will guide AMDA's long-term philanthropic efforts. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role that requires both initiative and collaboration, with responsibility for driving strategy forward, refining it in partnership with leadership, and executing against defined fundraising goals. This role requires a results-oriented approach, with the ability to translate strategy into execution and drive forward measurable fundraising activity.
Primary Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy & Execution
- Develop and present fundraising strategies and plans aligned with institutional priorities
- Partner with executive leadership to refine strategies and incorporate feedback and direction
- Lead the execution of approved advancement initiatives, including major gifts and donor engagement efforts
- Contribute to the development of cases for support and donor-facing materials
Donor Cultivation & Solicitation
- Develop and manage a portfolio of prospective and current donors
- Identify, cultivate, and lead donor engagement and solicitation efforts in partnership with executive leadership
- Conduct consistent donor outreach, including meetings, calls, and written communications
- Prepare for and support donor solicitations, including strategy, materials, and follow-up
Pipeline Development & Fundraising Goals
- Lead the development and ongoing management of a structured donor pipeline across alumni, parents, foundations, corporations, and industry partners
- Track and manage donor movement through all stages of engagement
- Contribute to achieving annual and multi-year fundraising goals through consistent activity and relationship development
Events & Donor Engagement
- Lead the planning and execution of donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement events in New York and Los Angeles
- Coordinate with leadership on donor-facing opportunities and engagement strategies
- Support relationship-building within arts, entertainment, and philanthropic communities
Systems, Reporting & Operations
- Utilize systems such as Little Green Light and Alumni360 to track donor activity and maintain accurate records
- Monitor and report on fundraising activity, pipeline development, and engagement metrics
- Establish and maintain organized processes for donor tracking, follow-up, and reporting
Growth of Advancement Function
- Contribute to building foundational development processes and practices
- Support the long-term growth of the advancement function, including potential expansion of staffing as the program develops
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
- Minimum 5-8+ years of progressively responsible fundraising or advancement experience
- Demonstrated experience developing fundraising strategies and leading or supporting execution
- Demonstrated success supporting or directly contributing to closing gifts, including five-figure and higher commitments
- Experience cultivating donor relationships and participating in gift solicitations
- Experience building or managing a donor pipeline and tracking fundraising activity
- Proven ability to manage multiple donor relationships and priorities simultaneously
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through
- Ability to work independently while incorporating feedback and direction from leadership
- Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or arts organizations preferred
Performance Expectations
- Develop and present clear, actionable fundraising strategies
- Maintain a high level of consistent donor outreach and engagement activity, including meetings, calls, and follow-up
- Build and grow a qualified donor pipeline with measurable movement over time
- Demonstrate progress toward defined fundraising outcomes through pipeline development and donor engagement
- Actively contribute to and support donor cultivation and solicitation efforts
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions
- Provide regular reporting on fundraising activity and outcomes
- Contribute to achieving defined fundraising goals and establishing sustainable development practices
Initial Priorities
- Develop and present an initial fundraising strategy and implementation plan
- Establish a qualified donor pipeline and outreach cadence
- Initiate donor engagement and begin building relationships across key constituencies
- Implement consistent tracking, reporting, and follow-up processes
Position Information
- Full-time, exempt position
- Salary range: $120,000 - $125,000 annually, commensurate with experience
- Based in New York or Los Angeles
- Travel between campuses may be required
- Occasional evening and weekend work required for events
