Required Experience:
Qualifications:
● 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including major gift fundraising
● Demonstrated success cultivating and securing significant philanthropic support
● Experience working closely with Boards and senior leadership on fundraising strategy
● Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills
● A proactive, solutions-oriented approach to leadership and collaboration
● Passion for the performing arts and mission-driven work
Preferred:
● Experience in the arts or cultural sector
● Familiarity with Spektrix and Blackbaud donor management systems and fundraising CRM platforms
What Success Looks Like in the First Year
● Gain a strong understanding of Long Wharf Theatre’s fundraising landscape and development operations, identifying opportunities to strengthen strategy and systems
● Advance a clear pipeline of major donor prospects and deepen relationships with existing supporters
● Partner with the Managing Director and Artistic Director to align fundraising strategy with Long Wharf Theatre’s artistic vision and organizational priorities
● Establish consistent systems for tracking fundraising activity, donor engagement, and progress toward contributed revenue goals
● Help cultivate a culture of philanthropy across the organization by engaging staff, leadership, and trustees in supporting Long Wharf Theatre’s fundraising efforts
● Identify and advance new opportunities for philanthropic investment that support Long Wharf Theatre’s evolving model and long-term sustainability
Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and a written cover letter OR video/audio cover letter no longer than four (4) minutes describing their interest in the position and how their experience aligns with Long Wharf Theatre’s mission, values, and fundraising goals.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Materials should be submitted to the Hiring Committee at: finance@longwharf.org
References may be requested following the second and final interview.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
403(b)
403(b) matching
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Life insurance
Work Location: In person
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Duties / Expectations:
Director of Development
Long Wharf Theatre
New Haven, CT 06515
$90,000 - $110,000 a year - Full-time
Skills
Do you have experience in Project management?
Benefits
403(b) matching
403(b)
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Life insurance
Full job description
DESCRIPTION
About Long Wharf Theatre
Founded in 1965, Long Wharf Theatre is a
Tony Award–winning regional theatre and a pioneering institution in the
American nonprofit theatre movement. For over six decades, Long Wharf Theatre
has been recognized nationally for producing bold work, championing new voices,
and reexamining classic plays with contemporary urgency.
Today, Long Wharf Theatre is reimagining what it means to be a theatre company in the 21st century. Through an innovative itinerant producing model, the organization brings performances beyond a single building and into neighborhoods and community spaces across New Haven. This approach reflects Long Wharf Theatre’s commitment to making theatre more accessible and inclusive while fostering deeper connections with the
communities it serves.
Long Wharf Theatre’s mission is to produce boundary-breaking theatre with and for its many kaleidoscopic communities, guided by the core values of Artistic Innovation, Kaleidoscopic Partnerships, and Radical Inclusion. These principles shape the organization’s artistic work, community partnerships, and vision for the future: Theatre for everyone. Under the leadership of Managing Director Meredith Suttles and Artistic Director
Jacob G. Padrón, Long Wharf Theatre continues to expand its reach across New Haven and beyond—creating work that reflects the vibrancy of its communities while building a sustainable future for the institution.
About the Opportunity
Long Wharf Theatre seeks a dynamic Director of Development to lead and expand the organization’s philanthropic efforts at an exciting moment of artistic and organizational evolution. The Director of Development is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing Long Wharf Theatre’s contributed revenue strategy and strengthening relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and community partners. Reporting to the Managing Director and working closely with the Artistic Director, Board of Trustees, and senior staff, the Director will lead all fundraising initiatives while helping to build a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization.
The Director of Development is a member of Long Wharf Theatre’s senior leadership team and plays a central role in shaping the organization’s philanthropic strategy and donor engagement. The successful candidate will bring both strategic vision and proactive leadership, demonstrating the ability to identify opportunities, propose solutions, and
move initiatives forward in partnership with colleagues and trustees.
Key Responsibilities:
Fundraising Strategy & Leadership
(30%)
● Develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy aligned
with Long Wharf Theatre’s financial goals and mission
● Partner with the Managing Director, Artistic Director, and Board
leadership to establish fundraising priorities and strategies
● Identify opportunities to strengthen philanthropic support and
expand the organization’s base of donors and supporters
● Contribute to long-range fundraising planning that supports the
organization’s continued growth
Individual Giving & Major Gifts (30%)
● Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and prospects
● Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for
individual donors
● Partner with senior leadership and Board members on major gift
solicitations
● Oversee annual fundraising appeals and donor communications
Institutional Support (20%)
● Oversee strategy for foundation, corporate, and government funding
● Ensure timely preparation of compelling grant proposals and
reports
● Identify and cultivate new institutional funding opportunities
Board Engagement (10%)
● Partner with the Board of Trustees to strengthen fundraising
engagement and accountability
● Support Board members in cultivating and stewarding donor
relationships
● Prepare development reports and updates for Board and committee
meetings
Development Operations & Events (10%)
● Oversee development systems, reporting, and donor data management
● Track fundraising progress and key performance metrics
● Lead strategy for donor engagement events and fundraising
initiatives
Leadership & Culture:
Long Wharf Theatre values a collaborative, mission-driven workplace culture rooted in trust, accountability, and shared success. Senior leaders are expected to contribute actively to a work environment where ideas are welcomed, colleagues support one another’s work, and challenges are approached with creativity and solution-oriented thinking. The Director of Development will play an important role in sustaining and strengthening this culture by:
● Demonstrating initiative and ownership in advancing fundraising
strategies and opportunities
● Working collaboratively across departments to align development
efforts with artistic and organizational priorities
● Communicating openly and constructively with colleagues,
leadership, and trustees
● Proactively identifying opportunities and bringing forward ideas,
strategies, and solutions that help the organization move forward
● Supporting a culture of respect, professionalism, and shared
responsibility for Long Wharf Theatre’s success. This role requires someone who is energized by working in partnership with colleagues and leadership to strengthen the organization and advance its mission.
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