Chief Development Officer

Lincoln Center Theater•New York, NY

2d•$375,000 - $420,000•Onsite

About The Position

Lincoln Center Theater (LCT) seeks a visionary, strategic, and highly accomplished Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead and advance a comprehensive fundraising program in support of one of the nation’s premier nonprofit theater institutions at a moment of great momentum and transformation. Reporting dually to the Artistic Director and Managing Director, the CDO will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, a strategic partner in shaping the overall direction of the Theater, and a primary liaison to the Board of Directors. The CDO will envision and execute ambitious fundraising strategies that sustain and grow LCT’s contributed revenue across all streams, including major gifts, individual giving, institutional support, special events, planned giving, and campaigns. Working in close partnership with leadership across the organization, including marketing and earned revenue teams, the CDO will help drive a coordinated approach to maximizing total institutional revenue and audience engagement. This leader will also partner closely with the Board of Directors to strengthen philanthropic engagement and expand the Theater’s community of supporters. This is a rare opportunity for an exceptional advancement leader to help shape the future of a world-class theater institution and to play a central role in advancing both its artistic ambition and long-term financial sustainability.

Requirements

Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive leadership experience in fundraising, with a distinguished record of success at the senior level.
Demonstrated success securing transformational gifts at the seven, eight, and nine-figure level.
Experience working effectively with large, engaged boards.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills consistent with representing a leading cultural institution, including a polished personal presentation aligned with the expectations of top-tier donors and stakeholders.
Strategic thinker with the ability to execute at a high level in a fast-paced, artistically driven environment.
Deep appreciation for the performing arts and commitment to LCT’s mission.
Strong ties to New York City, including residency and a demonstrated, in-depth understanding of the NYC fundraising and funding landscape required.
Visionary, collaborative, and results-oriented leadership style.
High emotional intelligence, discretion, and sound judgment.
Ability to inspire confidence among donors, trustees, artists, and colleagues.
Strong organizational, analytical, and management capabilities.
Commitment to excellence, integrity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with LCT’s artistic vision and institutional priorities.
Serve as an integral member of the senior leadership team and a key participant in institutional strategic planning and decision-making.
Partner closely with the Artistic Director and Managing Director to articulate compelling cases for support that reflect LCT’s mission and programmatic excellence.
Collaborate with marketing and earned revenue leadership to align contributed and earned revenue strategies, supporting audience growth and maximizing overall revenue.
Serve as a senior ambassador for LCT, representing the organization to donors, foundations, corporations, cultural and civic leaders.
Balance excellence in traditional, relationship-driven fundraising with an entrepreneurial mindset—bringing curiosity, innovation, and openness to new models of philanthropy, audience engagement, and revenue generation.
Collaborate with the 55-member Board of Directors to enhance fundraising capacity, deepen engagement, and support a strong culture of philanthropy.
Partner with leadership to identify potential new board members.
Staff and partner with Board leadership, including development-related committees.
Coordinate Board committee assignments in partnership with institutional leadership.
Lead all development activities, including major gifts, annual fund, institutional giving (foundation, government, corporate), special events, and planned giving.
Personally manage a portfolio of top donors and prospects, with a focus on securing transformational leadership gifts at the seven, eight, and nine-figure level.
Oversee and grow a high-performing development operation to achieve ambitious annual and long-term contributed revenue goals.
Plan and execute significant capital and endowment campaigns.
Build and sustain long-term relationships with individual donors, trustees, foundation leaders, and corporate partners.
Ensure best-in-class stewardship practices and donor communications reflective of the prestige and artistic excellence of LCT.
Strengthen partnerships within the Lincoln Center campus and with peer cultural institutions.
Lead, mentor, and develop a 15-person fundraising team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
Oversee development operations, including prospect research, analytics, reporting, and CRM systems, leveraging data and emerging tools to inform strategy and strengthen donor engagement.
Establish clear metrics, benchmarks, and reporting systems to track progress and ensure transparency and continuous improvement.