Director of Development

Date: September 1, 2026

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)

Classification: Exempt

Supervisor: President and Executive Director

Compensation: $120,000–130,000 per annum, with benefits

Position Summary

The Director of Development oversees all aspects of fundraising, including major gifts, individual giving, membership, foundations, annual appeals, special events, corporate partnerships, and government grants.

Responsibilities

• Work in close partnership with the Executive Director and the Development Committee of the Board to set and achieve fundraising goals
• Manage 2–3 direct reports in the Development department
• Direct the spring benefit, Poetry & the Creative Mind, during National Poetry Month
• Direct the fall Chancellors Reading Benefit
• Steward foundation, individual, and corporate donors and oversee appeals and proposals
• Direct the membership program and benefit fulfillment
• Supervise donor database management
• Oversee direct mail and online membership campaigns, including working with consultants
• Oversee production of monthly financial reports and perform analysis to identify trends and suggest improvements or tests
• Manage departmental budget and reconcile monthly with Finance
• Manage membership and fundraising communications and solicitations on Poets.org
• Oversee the development and production of a membership newsletter and Benefactor newsletter
• Create compelling emails, donation pages, and social media promotions
• Encourage online audiences to make a gift through targeted messaging
• Create and coordinate social media promotions for membership and development-related events
• Oversee the promotion of planned giving on Poets.org and in American Poets magazine
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Competencies

• 10+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience
• Strong team management skills
• Extensive experience in individual giving, membership, and major gifts
• Foundation grant writing experience
• Advanced knowledge of popular CRMs, with Raiser’s Edge experience
• Proven track record of success in organizing special events
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service
• Commitment to excellence in database administration
• Strong written and oral communications skills
• A passion for poetry, literature, and the arts, a plus

To apply, email your cover letter and resume as one PDF to careers@poets.org, with the job title and your last name in the subject line.

The Academy offers a competitive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage plus employer-paid Life Insurance. Employees also enjoy a hybrid work schedule; paid vacation, sick, and personal leave; and time off for all federal holidays, plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s.