Vice President of Development

POSITION: Vice President of Development

LOCATION: Hybrid (2-days in person), based in New York City.

DETAILS: Full-time

ABOUT THE MOTH:

The Moth is an acclaimed nonprofit dedicated to connecting humanity through the power of personal storytelling. The Moth’s mission is to inspire people to listen and share openly, think and feel deeply, and expand our understanding of one another. The Moth has presented more than sixty thousand stories, told live and without notes, by people from all walks of life to standing-room-only crowds worldwide.

To really understand The Moth, we encourage you to listen to a few stories here: https://themoth.org/stories.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Moth is seeking a vibrant, committed, and talented senior Development leader at a pivotal moment in the organization’s history. The successful candidate will be a dynamic self-starter with a track record of success in a development leadership role, an innovator, an exceptional relationship builder, and a proven manager and mentor. Demonstrated success as a front-line major gift officer is paramount, as is knowledge of best practices in development and membership — including grassroots and online campaigns.

The Vice President of Development (VPoD) reports to the CEO and collaborates with colleagues in Artistic, Production, Marketing, and Finance as well as the organization’s Community Engagement, Education, and Global programs. The VPoD will work closely with the Board of Directors and serve as the liaison to the Development Committee composed of both Board and non-Board members. The VPoD is a member of The Moth’s Executive Team and leads a team of three people including an Assistant Director of Membership and Annual Giving, an Assistant Director of Institutional Giving, and a Special Events Officer.

The Moth's Department of Development cultivates a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization that allows The Moth to sustain itself financially while remaining mission-driven. The department raises approximately 35% of The Moth's annual operating budget annually. In 2025, the team will raise around $4.5M through foundation support and government grants, major gifts, memberships & individual donations, and special events such as The Moth's annual spring gala, The Moth Ball.

Position Overview:

Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Development leads fundraising initiatives to support The Moth's innovative programs and its mission. The Director oversees a comprehensive development program that includes individual giving, major gifts, institutional support, membership, special events, and Board development. Working closely with the CEO and Board of Directors, the Director of Development will build upon The Moth's popularity to grow support from dedicated fans, build new donor pipelines across its portfolio and develop creative fundraising strategies.

Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy and Revenue Growth

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that aligns with The Moth’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Set and lead fundraising efforts to grow contributed revenue by 15% over the next two years, with a focus on major gifts, membership, foundation support, and The Moth’s annual gala, The Moth Ball.
• Partner with the CEO and Chief of Staff to engage and support The Moth’s 16-member Board of Directors and 8-person Development Committee in fundraising and relationship-building efforts.

Major Gifts and Donor Engagement

• Work closely with the CEO to manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, with the goal of cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts.
• Personally manage a portfolio of key major donors and prospects, nurturing relationships to secure leadership-level support and identify future board candidates.
• Design and implement thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to deepen donor engagement across all giving levels.
• Create and steward clear pathways for donor progression from entry-level supporters to major contributors.

Institutional Giving and Event-Based Fundraising

• Oversee the institutional giving program, directing efforts to identify, cultivate, and sustain relationships with foundation and corporate partners including oversight of detailed reporting for major foundation gifts.
• Lead the strategic planning and execution of The Moth Ball, the organization’s signature annual fundraising gala, ensuring it meets both financial and engagement goals.
• Manage and oversee special events and gatherings for our giving circles including the Director’s Circle ($1,000 donors) and Porchlight Society ($2,500 donors).
• Serve as liaison to the Development Committee, planning and leading quarterly meetings to foster board and volunteer involvement in fundraising strategy.

Operations, Systems and Internal Communication

• Identify and implement technology and data solutions that streamline fundraising operations and improve donor management, reporting, and stewardship.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of three direct reports, cultivating a collaborative, transparent, and results-driven development team culture.
• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, cross-departmental planning, and overall mission advancement.
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships across departments, particularly with The Moth’s workshop programs, Artistic, Marketing, and Finance, to align development efforts with organizational priorities and ensure maximum support for The Moth’s work in the world.

Qualifications

Required:

• 15+ years of professional experience in a nonprofit development role, or demonstrated success in a comparable role.
• Genuine passion for The Moth’s mission and appreciation for the power of storytelling to build human connection.
• Significant leadership experience within an established fundraising operation.
• Established credibility in the field as a leader, strategic thinker, and effective fundraiser.
• Deep experience managing, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors with success at the six- to seven-figure level.
• Track record of innovating and advancing a development program both internally and externally.
• Direct experience managing a successful major gifts program as well as membership programs.
• Strong record of mentoring and developing exceptional teams and fostering a transparent, collegial work environment across all levels of the organization.
• Commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with a strong commitment to expanding the donor base and Development Committee.
• Working knowledge of relevant platforms and systems including Salesforce, AirTable, Classy, etc.
• Successful experience working with engaged volunteers and board members.
• Strong knowledge of budget preparation and administration.
• Superior communication and presentation skills; ability to influence a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Must be able to work in-person 2 days (Tues. and Wed.) per week in our NYC office in the Financial District.

SALARY: The salary range for this position is $155,000 - $175,000 and is dependent on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, organization needs, and internal pay equity. This salary is part of a competitive total rewards structure inclusive of medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous PTO, sick leave, and a retirement savings plan after one year of service.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

The Moth is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally vibrant team that reflects the communities it serves. All positions at The Moth are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please apply online through this link: Application window will close at 11:59PM ET on July 11th. Please note applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis and you will be notified if you are selected for an interview.