Director of Development

Department: Development
Reports to: Chief Development Officer
Hours: Full-time — Exempt
Salary: $90,000 - $110,000
Schedule: Hybrid; minimum of three days per week in the Free Arts NYC office; some weekends and evenings

Mission
Free Arts NYC empowers youth from underserved communities through art and mentoring programs to develop their creativity, confidence, and skills to succeed. For 29 years, we have strived to level the playing field and create equity in the creative space by providing high-quality arts and 1:1 mentorship programs for the next generation. Every year, we partner with over 30 schools, community centers, and transitional housing facilities to provide free programming for 1,000 young people.

Position Description
The Director of Development drives revenue acquisition through frontline fundraising, focusing on corporate partnerships and the Patron Circle (junior board). The Director is responsible for the health and growth of a large legacy corporate portfolio and the dedicated stewardship of the Patron Circle. This individual designs and executes cultivation strategies while supervising the Development Operations Associate to ensure operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Corporate Partnerships & Sales (60%)

• Portfolio Management: Take immediate responsibility for renewing and upgrading an existing portfolio of 50+ corporate partners.

• Product & Pricing Strategy: Partner with the Chief Development Officer and program team to evaluate and refine corporate partnership offerings — including Art Parties (AP), Free Arts Days (FAD), and Art Kit Packing — ensuring pricing and frequency are optimized for revenue growth and team capacity.

• Strategic Program Partnership: Actively collaborates with the FAD Program Manager to bridge the gap between development goals and programmatic reality. This requires frequent, high-level communication to align corporate interests with the FAD schedule and team capacity.

• Pipeline Development: Move beyond managing inbound leads to lead active outbound sales, identifying and soliciting new corporate partners to reach a $600,000+ FY26 target.

• Deal Negotiation and Closing: Independently lead pitch meetings, negotiate sponsorship agreements, and align partner corporate social responsibility goals with Free Arts programming.

• On-Site Execution: Attend and facilitate corporate events — e.g., FAD/AP — as needed to ensure high-touch partner stewardship.

• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with the Communications teamto align brand-driven initiatives with corporate sponsorship opportunities.

2. Patron Circle Leadership (20%)

• Relationship Management: Serve as the primary point person for the Patron Circle, providing the direct attention required to harness member interest and support.

• Member Stewardship and Retention: Design and implement a dedicated care and cultivation plan to prevent churn and increase long-term member loyalty.

• Meeting & Event Management: Lead the scheduling, communications, and execution of all Patron Circle meetings and special events.

• Interest Alignment: Actively engage members by identifying their interests and creating opportunities for deeper organizational support.

• Relationship Mapping: Partner with the Chief Development Officer to map Patron Circle connections to high-priority corporate prospects.

3. Leadership & Systems (20%)

• Process Improvement: Proactively design new systems and clear standards for the team to help the department grow, rather than just repeating existing routines.

• Management: Supervise the Development Operations Associate and relevant event facilitators or part-time staff, ensuring data integrity in Salesforce and flawless event execution.

• Revenue Reporting: Translate complex fundraising data into actionable recommendations and strategic updates for leadership.

• Operational Oversight: Ensure the operational requirements of the development department function effectively without becoming personally stalled in administrative logistics.

• Team Collaboration: Attend and actively contribute to staff and development meetings.

• Other Duties: Support with additional tasks and special projects as requested.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: 4-6+ years in development or sales with a track record of meeting high six-figure+ revenue targets.

• Collaborative Leadership: Proven ability to lead and work cross-functionally; you believe that development and program teams are mutually dependent; you have a proven ability to work in total harmony with programmatic leads, ensuring both teams are informed, respected, and successful.

• Frontline Fundraising: Proven experience as a fundraiser, comfortable making direct asks and leading meetings and complex partner negotiations independently.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to build better processes and rules to support organizational growth.

• Communication: Ability to speak compellingly about the mission to corporate executives and external stakeholders.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Free Arts NYC is committed to building equity within the arts and creative professions, and we recognize that oppression and discrimination have resulted in ongoing disparities for the communities that we work alongside. We believe in being intentional so that everyone, regardless of economic circumstances, race, gender, sexuality, national origin, or any other difference, feels they can obtain the benefits of meaningful participation in the arts.

Free Arts NYC must amplify diversity within the arts by connecting youth to a variety of opportunities that build their social capital. Inequity is an ongoing issue, and we will meet it with ongoing and evolving efforts. Through strength-based, intentional curriculum design and the development of our staff and board’s cultural competency, we will more effectively address the needs of those we serve.

How to Apply
Please address your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to Michael Falletti, Chief Development Officer. Email jobs@freeartsnyc.org with “Director of Development” in the subject line.