Chief Development and Marketing Officer

Chief Development and Marketing Officer | School of American Ballet
Lincoln Center Plaza | New York, New York

The School of American Ballet (SAB), the official yet independent academy of New York City Ballet (NYCB), is widely recognized as the premier ballet school in the United States.

Role Summary & Context for Recruitment

The Chief Development and Marketing Officer (CDMO) provides strategic and operational leadership for SAB fundraising and marketing in support of SAB’s mission and long‑term financial vitality in an exciting period of growth for the School. The CDMO reports to the Executive Director and is a member of the senior leadership team. The position oversees a 9‑person Development team (individual giving, institutional giving, philanthropic events and partnerships, planned giving, capital campaign, operations) and a three‑person Marketing team, with five direct reports. The CDMO, in collaboration with the Executive Director, works closely with the School’s 50‑member Board of Directors to fulfill the School’s annual, capital, and endowment fundraising, as well as school‑wide brand and marketing goals. Annual fundraising goals have been approximately $6–7 million in recent years and, as the importance of growing contributed revenue has come into focus, the School seeks to soon surpass $8 million. A capital/endowment campaign in a strongly successful quiet phase has a working goal of $20 million. The CDMO’s arrival is expected to coincide with the campaign’s public phase, with successful completion projected during 2027.

The incoming CDMO will mark SAB's first C‑level investment in development and marketing, positioning the School to secure the resources and market presence needed to sustain and sharpen its competitive edge. They will step into a financially stable organization with high donor retention, supported by entrepreneurial Development and Marketing programs.

Candidate Profile

• Commitment to SAB’s mission and core values, with a personal passion for dance; an existing understanding of classical ballet is a plus.
• 10+ years of experience in nonprofit development and marketing. Preference for experience providing leadership for a major fundraising campaign, growing an alumni engagement program, and leveraging digital marketing strategies to expand audience engagement and grow the base of support.
• Demonstrated track record of hands‑on execution to meet goals.
• Strong emotional intelligence and exceptional interpersonal, spoken, and written communication skills.
• Ability to utilize data to inform results and enable decision‑making; financial literacy in relation to development and marketing.
• Strong collaboration and creative thinking skills to achieve results.
• Excellent organization skills as well as the ability to coordinate multiple tasks and activities.
• Ability to exercise independent, sound judgment.
• Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.
• Bachelor’s degree.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The School of American Ballet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SAB is committed to an equitable and inclusive program and a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.