Associate Director, Institutional Giving

Jazz at Lincoln Center • New York, NY

82d

About The Position

The Associate Director, Institutional Giving plays a pivotal role in advancing Jazz at Lincoln Center’s mission by shaping and growing a robust portfolio of institutional supporters: foundations, corporations, and government agencies at all levels. This is a dynamic opportunity for a development professional who combines analytical rigor with creative storytelling and enjoys the outward-facing aspects of relationship building. The Associate Director will design and execute strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward funders in close partnership with the Director of Foundations, Institutional Giving team, and colleagues across the organization. The ideal candidate thrives on connecting with people, both internally and externally, and brings experience managing 5- to 8-figure gifts from major institutional funders. This role is integral to sustaining and expanding Jazz at Lincoln Center’s programs for audiences of all ages: on stage, in classrooms, and around the world.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of four years of experience in institutional giving, preferably within performing arts, arts education, or cultural nonprofits.
• Demonstrated success in managing and securing significant foundation, corporate, and government grants, including 5- to 8-figure gifts.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling narratives.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adept at managing multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, project management platforms (preferably Asana), and fundraising databases (preferably Tessitura).
• Strong financial literacy and experience partnering with finance teams to align budgets and reports with funder expectations is a plus.
• Demonstrated curiosity about philanthropic trends and creative approaches to institutional fundraising.
• Familiarity with jazz, music, or the performing arts sector a major plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage the complete grant lifecycle—from prospect identification and proposal development to submission, reporting, and stewardship—for a diverse portfolio of institutional funders.
• Create persuasive and inspiring written materials, including proposals, reports, letters of inquiry, and presentations.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in Tessitura.
• Partner with colleagues across Development, Finance, and Programming to align proposals with organizational priorities and budgets.
• Conduct and oversee prospect research to identify, qualify, and cultivate new institutional opportunities.
• Develop and manage an annual grant calendar ensuring timely submissions.
• Collaborate with the Director of Foundations on Project Pioneer; a key initiative focused on cultivating new partnerships and re-engaging existing and lapsed foundation donors to expand institutional support.
• Support the Director of Foundations and Chief Development Officer in executing cultivation and solicitation strategies for near- and long-term goals.
• Partner closely with and provide direction to the Manager, Institutional Giving to ensure smooth coordination of all institutional activities.
• Prepare concise briefing materials for senior staff and Board leadership; assist in developing and reconciling proposal budgets and narratives with Finance.
• Build and maintain a library of proposal templates, metrics, and reporting materials to streamline grant processes.
• Copyedit donor-facing materials to ensure consistent tone and accuracy.
• Oversee donor acknowledgments and institutional credit lines.
• Stay informed on philanthropic trends and institutional guidelines to ensure ongoing strategic alignment.

Benefits

• Generous PTO
• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• Defined contribution plan
• Deferred compensation plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees