Long Wharf Theatre
New Haven, CT
US

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

LWT Director of Development Job Description 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.

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

Compensation:

Salary range: $90,000–$110,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health

insurance, paid time off, holidays, and additional benefits.

Equal Opportunity & Inclusion Statement:

Long Wharf Theatre is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse, inclusive,

and equitable workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds,

particularly those historically underrepresented in the arts.

Long Wharf Theatre does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin,

age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any

other protected status under applicable law.

Long Wharf Theatre is dedicated to fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and belonging

where all team members can thrive.

If you’re excited about this opportunity but don’t meet every qualification listed, we still

encourage you to apply. Research shows that individuals from historically underrepresented

communities often hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. Long Wharf Theatre

values a broad range of experiences, perspectives, and professional paths, and we welcome

candidates who believe they can contribute meaningfully to our mission.

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: [email protected]

References may be requested following the second and final interview.

SALARY

$90,000.00 – $110,000.00 per year

APPLY BY EMAIL

finance…
^*NOTE: Do not copy/paste the above email address as it is encoded with SPAM protection. Just click it to initiate an email from your preferred email client.