Director of Development

The New York Studio School is a not-for-profit school founded in 1964 by artists for artists located in the historic Greenwich Village building that served as the original home of the Whitney Museum of American Art. As we celebrate our 60th Anniversary, we are seeking a dynamic, thoughtful, and growth-oriented Director of Development to lead our team of dedicated fundraising staff to achieve our annual contributed revenue goals in keeping with our Strategic Plan.

The Director of Development is a full-time position responsible for advancing our philanthropic revenue in support of the School’s organizational and programmatic goals. This position leads a team responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing NYSS fundraising efforts, including strategic communications, institutional giving, donor stewardship, annual campaigns, grant proposals, and special events. As a member of the staff leadership team, the Director of Development will serve as a thought partner for the institution, reporting to the Acting Head of School and working closely and collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and other key School leadership. The Director of Development oversees the Development Officer and Development Associate.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as main point of contact for donors and as ambassador for NYSS
• Work with Board, Acting Head of School, and key staff to create, lead and execute long-
• and short-term strategic fundraising plans, and to articulate compelling, authentic cases
• for support
• Oversee the implementation of effective prospect research and cultivation plan
• Oversee planning and execution of annual benefit and other revenue and non-revenue
• generating events
• Conceive a holistic development-related communications plan
• Oversee calendar of grant deadlines and related reporting
• Oversee preparation of grant proposals, grant-writing submissions, and associated reports
• Lead development of alumni engagement initiatives and appeal campaigns

Qualifications/Competencies

• A minimum of five years results-oriented development experience, ideally within the arts,
• culture, or educational fields
• Proven track record in implementing fundraising campaigns, securing major gifts, and
• cultivating individual donors
• Ability to speak and write persuasively about the importance of the visual arts and the
• vision and mission of NYSS
• Diplomatic, collaborative, and solutions-driven
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing projects and timelines
• Demonstrated managerial skills in motivating and mentoring staff
• Strong CRM database skills, familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Little Green Light
• In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail. The candidate must have the ability to work and maintain poise under pressure, as well as interact with Board the Board, School leadership and staff, artists, and volunteers.

Additional Information

This job description is not designed to cover all duties or responsibilities connected to this role. NYSS hours are Monday – Friday, 10am – 6pm, with some evening work and travel. The offices are located in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, in a historic building that does not meet ADA compliant standards. This role is an in-person position.

About NYSS

The New York Studio School emphasizes perception and drawing, providing its students with the means to develop a language for expression of a personal artistic vision. This education is a preamble to a lifetime’s engagement in drawing, painting, or sculpture. Students are encouraged to think independently and work with dedication. From its National Historic Landmark home on West 8th Street in New York City, the Studio School offers a range of courses and educational programs including a three-year Certificate program, two-year Master of Fine Arts, its signature one- and two-week immersive Marathon workshops, and Evening & Weekend courses. A twice- weekly Lecture Series and a Gallery for short-term exhibitions, both open to the public free of charge, bring together prominent figures of the art world to share perspectives about contemporary art.