Vice President of Development

Position Summary

The Vice President of Development is State Theatre New Jersey’s senior architect of philanthropy, leading the strategy, relationships, and revenue generation that power the theatre’s artistic, educational, and community impact. As STNJ’s lead major gift officer and a key member of the executive team, this leader will shape an ambitious, integrated development program that expands donor engagement, grows contributed income, and strengthens long term financial sustainability within a $12-14 million operating budget. Working closely with the President & CEO, senior leadership, and the Board of Trustees, the Vice President of Development will drive major giving, annual fundraising, membership, corporate and foundation support, and signature events. They will cultivate high capacity donors, energize Board participation, and open new philanthropic pathways that elevate STNJ’s visibility and deepen its connection to the community. Overseeing the full development portfolio, this executive will ensure that every campaign, relationship, and donor experience reflects excellence, clarity, and purpose. The role calls for a bold, strategic, relationship driven leader who thrives on building momentum, inspiring generosity, and securing the resources that propel STNJ’s mission forward. Organization

State Theatre New Jersey (STNJ) is the largest nonprofit arts presenter in Central New Jersey. Located in New Brunswick, STNJ seeks to enrich the lives of people from diverse backgrounds and contribute to a vital urban environment by presenting national and international performing artists, providing arts education programs, and maintaining a major performing arts venue that encourages a lifelong connection with the performing arts. Its programming spans Broadway, dance, orchestral and popular music, comedy, jazz, international performances, family programming, school performances, and sensory-friendly experiences. Originally built in 1921 as a silent film and vaudeville palace, the State Theatre was designed by architect Thomas Lamb and remained active into the 1960s. Following a period of decline, the venue was restored for live performance and reopened as a performing arts center in April 1988. In 2021, as part of its 100th anniversary, STNJ completed another major renovation that included renovated lobbies and restrooms, upgraded HVAC systems, a new elevator providing access to all levels, and new theater seating. Since its reopening, STNJ has welcomed more than six million audience members. Today, STNJ presents a broad season of performances built around its Broadway, Orchestra, Family, and Dance series, along with comedy, rock and pop, orchestral pops with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, jazz, international programming, school performances, free summer movies, and sensory-friendly performances. They are also committed to making arts experiences affordable and accessible, working with community partners to provide free and subsidized admission to performances and education programs for members of the region’s diverse communities. Education and community engagement are central to STNJ’s work. Its programs reach thousands of students, teachers, families, and community members each year through performances, workshops, artist residencies, and other activities. School programs include Performances for Schools, sensory-friendly performances, and Symphony Scholars, while community offerings include artist residencies, the Milk & Cookies series for young children, free summer movies, and other accessible programming. STNJ also works with community engagement committees composed of local leaders to strengthen relationships with New Jersey’s diverse communities and expand participation in the performing arts. STNJ is governed by a 14-member Board of Trustees, chaired by Wendy L. Wiebalk, Esq., and Sarah K. Chaplin serves as the President & CEO. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, STNJ reported a total revenue of $13.6 million, with 16% from contributions, 75% from program services, 3% from investments, and 6% from other revenue sources. Sources: edited from stnj.org; propublica.org Community

New Brunswick, New Jersey, is a diverse Central Jersey city known for its historic character, university presence, healthcare institutions, cultural amenities, and active downtown. Home to Rutgers University, the city combines the energy of a major research university with a history dating to the colonial era and a walkable downtown centered around dining, entertainment, civic activity, and the arts. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates New Brunswick’s 2025 population at 57,133, with 23.4% of residents age 25 and older holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Reflecting the city’s diverse population, 57.4% of residents age five and older speak a language other than English at home. The City describes New Brunswick as both the “Hub City” and the “Healthcare City,” reflecting its role as a regional center where education, healthcare, business, culture, and community life intersect. As the county seat of Middlesex County, New Brunswick also serves as the administrative and civic center for one of New Jersey’s most populous and economically active counties. Middlesex County’s government, courts, and public services are headquartered in the city, reinforcing New Brunswick’s role as a regional anchor for public administration, community services, and cultural investment. Arts, culture, recreation, and public space contribute significantly to New Brunswick’s quality of life. The downtown cultural landscape includes the State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, George Street Playhouse, Crossroads Theatre Company, American Repertory Ballet, Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, and the Zimmerli Art Museum, while VisitNJ highlights the city’s approximately 15-block downtown for its concentration of restaurants, performances, and historic sites. New Brunswick also maintains more than 272 acres of parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, lawns, and gardens. Major public spaces include the 78-acre Buccleuch Park, with athletic facilities, trails, gardens, and the historic Buccleuch Mansion, and the 20-acre Elmer B. Boyd Park along the Raritan River, which provides riverfront views, paths, recreation, and space for festivals and community events. State Theatre New Jersey, owned by Middlesex County, reflects the County’s longstanding commitment to cultural vitality and public access to the arts. Its presence in downtown New Brunswick underscores the County’s investment in strengthening the region’s creative economy, supporting cultural organizations, and enhancing the quality of life for residents across all 25 municipalities. Together, New Brunswick’s educational institutions, cultural organizations, historic resources, parks, and downtown amenities create an active urban community with strong connections among arts, education, recreation, and civic life. Sources: edited from cityofnewbrunswick.org; visitnj.org/city/new-brunswick; census.gov Role and Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Oversight

• Lead the development and implementation of annual fundraising and membership campaigns, in coordination with Development staff, that attract philanthropic support for State Theatre New Jersey and advance contributed income goals.

• Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual prospects ($10,000+) and donors across all giving levels, with particular emphasis on developing major gift opportunities and building and sustaining long term philanthropic relationships.

• Develop and oversee solicitation strategies to engage new and recurring individual and major gift donors, ensuring a strong pipeline and consistent, donor centric engagement.

• Create and enhance strategies for renewed and new corporate, small business, and private foundation support, and participate in solicitations when appropriate to deepen institutional partnerships.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of annual fundraising events, ensuring alignment with revenue goals, donor engagement, and institutional visibility.

• Collaborate with the Vice President of Marketing and the Director of Communications and Community Engagement to ensure agreed upon donor and community centric messaging is aligned with Development activities.

• Embrace other fundraising strategy and oversight responsibilities as needed.

Board Liaison

• Partner with the President & CEO and the Board of Trustees Development Committee Chairperson to create and implement a strong Board giving program, empowering Board members as ambassadors for State Theatre New Jersey.

• Work with the Development Committee Chairperson and committee members to support all Development activities, including annual giving, membership, business sponsorship, and fundraising events.

• Provide Board members with the tools, messaging, and strategic guidance needed to effectively advocate for STNJ’s mission and fundraising priorities.

• Embrace other Board liaison responsibilities as needed.

Management of Development Activities and Staff

• Supervise and mentor Development staff, ensuring accountability to individual Development plans and goals, and fostering a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and results.

• Oversee the implementation of gift solicitation strategies at all levels, ensuring consistency, effectiveness, and alignment with institutional priorities and donor capacity.

• Maintain adherence to the Development budget, monitoring revenue and expenses to support responsible financial management and long term sustainability.

• Provide strategic guidance and problem solving support for Development staff when operational challenges or donor/member issues arise.

• Collaborate with senior leadership and cross departmental partners to integrate Development activities into broader organizational strategies and initiatives.

• Embrace other management of Development activities and staff responsibilities as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

The Vice President of Development will be a persuasive, people centered, and results driven fundraising leader who brings initiative, clarity, and strong relationship instincts to State Theatre New Jersey. A natural communicator and collaborator, they will promote ideas, rally support, and inspire action across donors, staff, board members, and community partners. Resilient and goal oriented, they will navigate challenges with confidence, maintain momentum, and drive contributed revenue growth through strategic focus and practical judgment. Resourceful and personally accountable, this leader will manage multiple priorities with discipline, anticipate donor needs, and steward relationships with diplomacy and care. Competitive in spirit and energized by closing gifts, they will thrive in fast moving environments, adapt easily to varied stakeholders, and strengthen the systems and team culture that support sustainable advancement. Other key competencies include:

• Teamwork and Diplomacy: The ability to collaborate effectively, communicate with clarity and tact, and navigate diverse perspectives to support shared goals

• Resiliency and Personal Accountability: The capacity to remain steady through challenges, adapt constructively, and take responsibility for actions, decisions, and outcomes.

• Time and Priority Management and Goal Orientation: The aptitude to organize tasks, balance competing demands, and maintain focus on achieving meaningful objectives with consistency.

• Customer Focus: The commitment to understand and anticipate stakeholder needs, delivering responsive, thoughtful, and service oriented engagement.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience and seven or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts, are highly desirable. Demonstrated success in leading development functions, paired with three or more years of management experience, is important. Strong interpersonal, cultivation, organizational, and problem solving abilities are essential, along with the capacity to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and donor relationships in a fast paced environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word, and experience using data analysis to inform donor and prospect strategies are valuable, as is familiarity with volunteer Boards of Trustees and Development Committees. Knowledge and appreciation of the performing arts, experience with Tessitura or similar CRM systems, and comfort with reporting software and utilities are advantageous. The role also calls for the ability to work weekday, evening, and weekend hours as needed to support performances, events, and donor activity. If you do not meet all the qualifications but possess transferable or equivalent skills, experience, or education, we encourage you to apply and highlight those areas. Compensation and Benefits

STNJ offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including an annual salary range of $135,000 - $160,000, commensurate with experience. Relocation assistance may be available. Applications and Inquiries

To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/state-theatre-new-jersey-seeks-vice-president-of-development/ Equal Employment Opportunity and Inclusion

State Theatre New Jersey is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds and make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.