Vice President of Development

This is a Full Time Job

Position Summary
The Vice President of Development is STNJ's lead major gift officer and a key member of the executive team, this leader will shape an ambitious, integrated development program that expands donor engagement, grows contributed income, and strengthens long term financial sustainability within a $12-14 million operating budget.

Working closely with the President & CEO, senior leadership, and the Board of Trustees, the Vice President of Development will drive major giving, annual fundraising, membership, corporate and foundation support, and signature events. They will cultivate high capacity donors, energize Board participation, and open new philanthropic pathways that elevate STNJ's visibility and deepen its connection to the community.

Overseeing the full development portfolio, this executive will ensure that every campaign, relationship, and donor experience reflects excellence, clarity, and purpose. The role calls for a bold, strategic, relationship driven leader who thrives on building momentum, inspiring generosity, and securing the resources that propel STNJ's mission forward.

Role and Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy and Oversight
• Lead the development and implementation of annual fundraising and membership campaigns, in coordination with Development staff, that attract philanthropic support for State Theatre New Jersey and advance contributed income goals.
• Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual prospects ($10,000+) and donors across all giving levels, with particular emphasis on developing major gift opportunities and building and sustaining long term philanthropic relationships.
• Develop and oversee solicitation strategies to engage new and recurring individual and major gift donors, ensuring a strong pipeline and consistent, donor centric engagement.
• Create and enhance strategies for renewed and new corporate, small business, and private foundation support, and participate in solicitations when appropriate to deepen institutional partnerships.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of annual fundraising events, ensuring alignment with revenue goals, donor engagement, and institutional visibility.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Marketing and the Director of Communications and Community Engagement to ensure agreed upon donor and community centric messaging is aligned with Development activities.
• Embrace other fundraising strategy and oversight responsibilities as needed.

Board Liaison
• Partner with the President & CEO and the Board of Trustees Development Committee Chairperson to create and implement a strong Board giving program, empowering Board members as ambassadors for State Theatre New Jersey.
• Work with the Development Committee Chairperson and committee members to support all Development activities, including annual giving, membership, business sponsorship, and fundraising events.
• Provide Board members with the tools, messaging, and strategic guidance needed to effectively advocate for STNJ's mission and fundraising priorities.
• Embrace other Board liaison responsibilities as needed.

Management of Development Activities and Staff
• Supervise and mentor Development staff, ensuring accountability to individual Development plans and goals, and fostering a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and results.
• Oversee the implementation of gift solicitation strategies at all levels, ensuring consistency, effectiveness, and alignment with institutional priorities and donor capacity.
• Maintain adherence to the Development budget, monitoring revenue and expenses to support responsible financial management and long term sustainability.
• Provide strategic guidance and problem solving support for Development staff when operational challenges or donor/member issues arise.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and cross departmental partners to integrate Development activities into broader organizational strategies and initiatives.
• Embrace other management of Development activities and staff responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications
A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience and seven or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts, are highly desirable. Demonstrated success in leading development functions, paired with three or more years of management experience, is important. Strong interpersonal, cultivation, organizational, and problem solving abilities are essential, along with the capacity to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and donor relationships in a fast paced environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word, and experience using data analysis to inform donor and prospect strategies are valuable, as is familiarity with volunteer Boards of Trustees and Development Committees.

Knowledge and appreciation of the performing arts, experience with Tessitura or similar CRM systems, and comfort with reporting software and utilities are advantageous. The role also calls for the ability to work weekday, evening, and weekend hours as needed to support performances, events, and donor activity.

If you do not meet all the qualifications but possess transferable or equivalent skills, experience, or education, we encourage you to apply and highlight those areas.