Development Director

Ensemble Studio Theatre | NY, NY| $70,000/year | Full-Time 

Application Deadline: April 12, 2024

Welcome to Ensemble Studio Theatre

Ensemble Studio Theatre is a Hell’s Kitchen-based, Off-Broadway theatre focused on the development of new work and voices since its founding by Curt Dempster in 1968. In those 55 years, EST has developed thousands of new American plays and has grown into a company of over 600 actors, directors, playwrights, designers, and stage managers. EST's mission is to develop and produce original, provocative, and authentic new work. A dynamic community committed to a collaborative process, EST is dedicated to inclusion across all aspects of identity and perspective, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexuality, physical or mental ability, physical or mental health, and recovery, while acknowledging and working towards ending systemic marginalization and oppression at all levels of its organization. EST discovers and nurtures new voices and supports artists throughout their creative lives. This extraordinary support and commitment to inclusivity are essential to yield extraordinary work.

EST’s primary programs include Youngblood, a collective of emerging professional playwrights; the EST/Sloan Project, a 25-year partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to commission, develop, and produce new works about science and technology; and the biennial Marathon of One-Act Plays, a landmark New York theatre festival since 1977. EST also produces 2-3 full productions annually, plans monthly brunches for Youngblood Members, and produces First Light, a reading festival of their Sloan Foundation commissions. EST supports and is made up of a vibrant, 600-member artistic community (“membership”) who participate in a number of programs that highlight their interests and talents

The organization is led by Co-Artistic Directors Estefanía Fadul and Graeme Gillis, and Interim Managing Director Adriana Borzellino. You can learn more about the EST Staff here. 

EST’s Equity and Justice Work

Since 2013, EST has engaged in a deepening process of transformation toward becoming an inclusive and anti-racist organization. As a historically predominantly White institution, in 2020 we commissioned an independent study by Rebecca KellyG to delve deeply into every aspect of our operations and identify white supremacist practices and assumptions. EST’s Transition Team

then led the organization through a leadership transition, recently hiring two new co-Artistic Directors. Our goal is to create a more holistic, inclusive, intentional and healthy work environment. This work includes ongoing anti-racism and anti-oppression training, and creating affinity spaces for those within the EST community. For more information on our transition, please visit ESTnyc.org/artequityjustice.

The Job  

Ensemble Studio Theatre seeks a passionate, resourceful, and creative leader who is dedicated to fulfilling the mission and vision of the organization by leading its development activities. The Development Director (DD) plays a critical role in ensuring the financial stability and growth of the organization. This individual will be responsible for cultivating individual and major giving, writing compelling grant applications, assisting the board of directors, and being a key strategic partner and advisor who will work collaboratively with the staff to meet fundraising goals and ensure that all fundraising efforts align with EST’s overall strategic direction. The DD will be the only member of the Development Department, although EST does anticipate growing the department in the future. The position reports directly to the Managing Director. While experience in the arts is preferred, it is not required, and candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

EST has some key development activities that it regularly operates as listed below. While this is the current development programming, EST is open and enthusiastic about expanding their activities and reach.

• Annual Appeal at the end of every calendar year
• Spring Appeal at the end of every season
• Benefit nights during mainstage productions
• Peer-to-peer fundraising event in the second half of every year

Your Roles and Responsibilities

Individual and Major Giving

• Develop and execute creative and holistic strategies to cultivate new donors, particularly high-net-worth individuals and corporate partners.
• Build and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors, ensuring their ongoing engagement and support.
• Maintain donor records and update donor software.

Grant Writing

• Prepare and submit grant applications to a variety of foundations, government agencies, and other grant-making institutions.
• Maintain relationships with long-stranding foundational partners.
• Research and prospect new grant opportunities.
• Craft persuasive proposals that articulate EST’s mission and programs and secure funding to support them.
• Manage reporting for existing grants.

Board Management

• Work closely with the board of directors to engage them in fundraising efforts. 
• Provide support and guidance to board members in their individual fundraising roles, while also managing the development committee and its activities.

Fundraising Events

• Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising events and campaigns, including donor cultivation events, galas, and online giving campaigns by utilizing the Board, staff, ensemble members, and the Board Development Committee.
• Ensure these events contribute to EST’s revenue goals and align with the organization’s mission and vision.

Collaborative Teamwork

• Serve as a collaborative leader for the staff.
• Contribute to EST’s annual budgeting process. Communicate and track fundraising progress and needs to key stakeholders.

Who are we looking for? 

In addition to the proven experience in the above responsibilities, top candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including networking and public speaking skills.
• Administrative experience in a nonprofit organization with a strong preference for those with experience in the arts.
• Passion for the arts.
• Innovative thinker.
• A demonstrated commitment to the values of antiracism, equity, and inclusion and demonstrated experience working with BIPOC artists and communities. 
• Demonstrated leadership in assuring that the artistic, human, and financial resources of the development department are effectively deployed with care and compassion.
• A connection to, or knowledge of, New York City is a plus.

Salary and Benefits

Salary: $70,000/year. Full-time, exempt, with the possibility of a performance-based salary increase after the first year of employment.

Benefits Package: EST Offers the following benefits:

• Hybrid Office/WFH culture, with an expectation to work some nights and weekends
• $800 monthly stipend towards group health premium
• Employee-Covered option to add dental and vision insurance
• 10 PTO days
• 3 personal days
• Up to 40 hours of sick time
• Office also observes other personal time off seasonally that is not part of employee designated days

Applications are due no later than April 12, 2024.

We recognize that no one person will encompass all of the experience and qualities that we are seeking, and encourage and welcome applications from candidates with varied backgrounds and different applications of skills. Applicants from historically excluded communities are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status. We will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees who need them for medical or religious reasons, as required by law.