Director of Major Gifts

American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is one of the greatest dance companies in the world. Since its founding season in 1940, ABT’s mission has been to create, present, preserve, and extend the incredible repertoire of classical dancing for the widest possible audience. Headquartered in New York City, ABT is the only cultural institution of its size and stature to extensively tour, enchanting audiences for eight decades in 50 U.S. states, 45 countries, and over 480 cities worldwide. ABT’s repertoire includes full-length classics from the nineteenth century, the finest works from the early twentieth century, and acclaimed contemporary masterpieces.  In 2006, by an act of Congress, ABT was designated “America’s National Ballet Company®.”

The Role:

As 2025 marks American Ballet Theatre (ABT)’s 85th, ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School’s 20th, and ABT Studio Company’s 20th anniversaries, we are introducing a newly created Director of Major Gifts role to sustain and deepen relationships with current and prospective donors passionate about the future of classical ballet and the performing arts. This role will report to the Chief Advancement Officer and work collaboratively with the current Director of Major Gifts.

The successful candidate will help to steer a robust fundraising program and grow the pipeline of individuals capable of making five-and-six-figure annual and multi-year gifts. This will comprise of all phases of the giving cycle, from identification and cultivation to solicitation and stewardship.

This role is suited for an experienced fundraising professional with an interest in prospecting and cultivating new relationships and encouraging higher levels of commitment from existing contributors enthusiastic about dance and supporting ABT’s roster of artists. The candidate must be able to eloquently communicate funding needs across the Company, from the ABT Dancer Fund, the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and Studio Company, and Production and New Works initiative to other critical facets of Company operations. This role will also entail a high level of collaboration with colleagues across ABT’s artistic and administrative departments to understand funding priorities and engage them as needed to build strong donor relationships

• Oversee and grow a portfolio of Major Gift donors and prospects (roughly 100+) through all phases of the giving cycle, from discovery and engagement through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Steer ABT’s Chairman’s Council, a dedicated affiliate group whose members contribute $25,000 annually and enjoy connecting with fellow supporters and deepening their relationship with ABT. Must be a creative thinker with experience managing patron programs who can work closely with Council leadership and strategically develop a compelling annual program to sustain and grow the Council.
• Act as primary Advancement liaison for ABT Education, which encompasses ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, ABT Studio Company and ABT community engagement & outreach.
• Working closely with ABT JKO School Artistic Director and other members of ABT’s Education team, develop and grow pipeline of prospects to critically support ABT Education, including the launch of a new advisory council.
• Steer meaningful donor engagement with the ABT JKO School, including event planning and implementation.
• In collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer, Senior Director, Advancement and Major Gifts colleagues, identify, cultivate, and solicit current and prospective donors to ABT’s Partners Program, Production and New Works initiative, the ABT Dancer Fund and other critical facets of operations.
• Be responsible for managing communications and follow-up, including actively tracking moves and interactions in ABT’s CRM software.
• Along with the other Director of Major Gifts, co-manage the ABT major donor prospecting pipeline and bring expertise to ABT’s prospecting and fundraising strategic plan through research and identification of new prospective donors.
• In advance of performance seasons, utilize iWave and other research tools to segment, screen and rate prospects from robust ticket buyer lists.
• Prepare written communications, stewardship reports, correspondence, proposals, and presentations for major donors.
• Collaborate with and support ABT’s executive leadership with respect to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts. This work includes authoring donor briefings and correspondence, event scripts, talking points, etc.
• Produce and partner with ABT’s Special Events team to plan a regular schedule of events that maximize major donor and prospect cultivation opportunities.
• Actively attend performances and events during New York performance seasons, establishing meaningful touch points with donors and prospects, including meetings, dinners and back-stage tours. This will require attendance in the evenings and weekends as required.
• Perform other Advancement-related duties and undertake projects as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, with a minimum of 7 years of front-line fundraising experience, preferably in the performing arts.
• Ability to use current desktop office technologies proficiently (Microsoft Office suite, Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Outlook, SalesForce) and to adapt to future technologies.
• Familiarity with research tools such as iWave preferred.
• Demonstrated accomplishments in managing donor portfolios, strategic planning, making solicitations and achieving or exceeding personal and departmental fundraising goals required.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work independently and with other staff as part of a team. Experience stewarding patron programs and liaising with volunteer leadership
• Ability to work successfully in a complex, fast-paced organization handling multiple tasks while meeting deadlines and serving multiple stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, tactful and ability to handle highly confidential information.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Enthusiastic, creative, and enterprising, with passion for and interest in ABT’s mission and vision.

• 10 days’ vacation, 2 personal days, 1 floating holiday; 20 sick days
• ABT also takes a “Hiatus Week” in August, and we close between Christmas and New Year; we also observe the standard annual Company Holidays including Juneteenth.
• 403(b) with no company match; eligible to participate after 6 months.
• Group health insurance where company pays 100% of the single premium rate for all plans; $1,500 annually if you chose not to participate in the plan (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Short-Term Disability Insurance, etc. provided by the company.

American Ballet Theatre is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status.