The Organization – Manhattan Theatre Club
ABOUT MTC: MTC has grown from a small off-off-Broadway showcase theatre into one of the country’s most prestigious and award-winning producing companies, creating over 600 world, American, and New York and Broadway premieres. MTC productions have earned 7 Pulitzer Prizes, 28 Tony Awards, 50 Drama Desk Awards, and 49 Obie Awards amongst many other honors. MTC’s current home is the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, and its two Off-Broadway theatres are located in New York City Center.
The mission of MTC is to develop and produce innovative theatre of the highest quality by American and international playwrights, with a focus on presenting New York, American, and world premieres, and to share that work with a diverse audience, including thousands of students.
The 2022-23 season marked Lynne Meadow’s 50th anniversary as Artistic Director. Meadows was joined in summer 2023 by Chris Jennings, MTC’s new Executive Director, succeeding Barry Grove who served as Executive Producer for more than 40 years. To discover more about what’s going on at MTC, please visit manhattantheatreclub.com.
FUNDING: MTC has a FY23 operating budget of approximately $27 million, and an endowment with a current market value of approximately $20.7 million. The Development team is responsible for raising a minimum of $9.4 million in philanthropic support annually—and increasing that goal significantly over time—in addition to an ongoing 50th Anniversary campaign with a $40 million goal and $35 million raised to date.
Position Overview
THE OPPORTUNITY: Manhattan Theatre Club’s (MTC) prominence as a nationally recognized not-for-profit institution offers a unique opportunity and a distinct responsibility: to honor its rich theatrical legacy by promoting new voices, staging new works, and advancing new perspectives on existing works.
The ideal Chief Development Officer (CDO) candidate will bring strategic advancement leadership and a strong track record of front-line major and principal gift-level experience. The CDO will craft and lead a development strategy and program that enhances the existing culture of philanthropy and taps into new sources of prospective donors (with a strong focus on individual major gifts) to increase philanthropic support of MTC.
The CDO reports to and works closely with the Executive Director. The individual in this role also works closely with the Artistic Director, Board of Directors, and colleagues across the entire organization. Currently reporting to the CDO is a team of 12.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to join a strong, successful cultural arts institution with an appetite for change and continued growth and impact. MTC welcomes innovation and new approaches to philanthropy, with a strong focus on major donor relationship management, cultivation, and solicitation. The individual in this role will find in MTC a culture of kindness, respect, and collaboration throughout the organization and will inherit a strong development team.
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Deep appreciation of and enthusiasm for theatre and the mission and culture of MTC.
- A track record of success in major and principal gifts and an understanding of the entire range of advancement tactics.
- Strategic leadership experience and success driving philanthropic growth.
- A successful history of building a strong pipeline, soliciting, and closing principal and major gifts at the six-figure level and above.
- Experience working with leadership and engaging board members.
- Knowledgeable about the New York City philanthropic, social, and business communities.
- Excellent written and verbal skills. Able to craft and deliver a persuasive case for support.
- Current with trends and best practices in the field, and the ability to institute those practices and motivate others.
- Comfortable with both established and emerging tactics in fundraising, including digital and social media.
- Able to inspire others toward a common goal.
- Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and to building and leading a diverse team.
- Working knowledge of Tessitura or similar software.
- Sound judgment and discretion to maintain the strictest confidentiality of donor information.
- Ability to attend MTC performances and events on a regular basis to cultivate/steward key donors and prospects.
- An undergraduate degree is desirable.
- The compensation range for the CDO is $225-$300K, commensurate with experience and accomplishments, plus attractive benefits.
How To Apply
Howe-Lewis International is pleased to assist MTC with this exciting search. Please click here to apply online via the Howe-Lewis Talent Portal. You may also email your resume and letter of interest to kirk@howe-lewis.com
All expressions of interest will be held in confidence.