Director of Development, Arts Education

The New York Youth Symphony (NYYS) seeks a fulltime experienced Director of
Development to join one of the nation’s leading innovative music education
organizations for aspiring young musicians.

Founded in 1963 to showcase the New York metropolitan area’s most gifted
musicians, ages 12–22, NYYS’s activities have since grown and diversified to encompass
programs in chamber music, composition, jazz, conducting, and musical theater
songwriting with regular performances at world class venues including Carnegie
Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center, plus international touring. Through its award-
winning commissioning program, “First Music,” NYYS has commissioned over 170
new works from young composers since 1984. Moreover, the careers of world-
renowned musicians, conductors, and composers have been assisted by their
early experiences with the New York Youth Symphony.

Approaching its 60th Anniversary, NYYS recognizes the need to hire a fulltime
experienced Director of Development to assist the organization to not only
sustain its current level of activities but also to enable a more diverse group of
students to participate in and benefit from NYYS’ various programs. Reporting
to and in partnership with the Executive Director, the Director of Development
will be responsible for all aspects of NYYS’s fundraising activities, such as planning
and managing various fundraising campaigns including the annual fund, special
events, capital campaigns; ensuring strong donor cultivation, recognition, and
stewardship; researching new funding sources; serving as key ambassador in
engaging existing and prospective donors, etc. In addition, the successful
candidate will have a passion for music education, a self-initiating, professional
temperament, and 5-10 years of experience in development work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively seek, cultivate, and solicit new funding sources form individuals, donors, foundations, corporations, and public sources with a focus on arts education, community outreach, and other relevant objectives;
• Craft compelling materials to communicate with current and prospective donors, including grant proposals and reports
• Orchestrate annual fundraising appeal, all fundraising events and explore new fundraising projects and engagement opportunities;
• Oversee and maintain database systems and processes essential to fundraising activities including research, cultivation, stewardship, record keeping, reporting, and acknowledgements;
• Coordinate with development staff and consultants for the 60th anniversary campaign.

REQUIREMENTS

• Five (5) or more years experience in the nonprofit fundraising world or related positions;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Experience with CRM databases;
• Preferred qualities: A positive attitude, creative thinker, highly organized with meticulous attention to detail; knowledge of classical music and/or jazz is desirable but not required.

Salary: Commensurate with experience; includes full benefit package.

To Apply: Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@nyys.org