Employment

Development Associate

Job Title: Development Associate
Organization: Vineyard Theatre
Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)
Reports To: Director of Development

About Vineyard Theatre

Vineyard Theatre is an Off-Broadway company dedicated to developing and producing new plays and musicals that push the boundaries of theatre and champion artist-driven storytelling. The theatre engages its audience through radically affordable ticketing programs and offers arts education programming for public high school students. The 132-seat theater and offices are in New York City’s Union Square neighborhood.

For over four decades, Vineyard has nurtured early- and mid-career artists, premiering three new works each season and supporting many more through residencies, commissions, and workshops. Vineyard’s productions often transfer to Broadway, regional, and international stages, and have earned Pulitzer Prizes, Tony Awards, and other honors. Committed to creative risk-taking, equitable access, and sustained artist relationships, Vineyard combines bold artistic ambition with long-term institutional vision.

Position Summary

The Development Associate is an integral member of Vineyard Theatre’s Development team, playing a key role in the execution and growth of the organization’s fundraising efforts. This position supports and advances strategies across individual and institutional giving, and special events, while also managing core development operations.

This role blends project management, donor engagement, and analytical work, offering increasing ownership over fundraising initiatives and the opportunity to build relationships cross-organizationally and with donors, audience and board members. The Development Associate contributes meaningfully to a collaborative team environment and the overall culture of philanthropy at Vineyard Theatre.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position and may be required to work late nights and weekends.

What You’ll Do

Advance fundraising operations and strategy

· Process gifts and ensure the integrity of database and digital donor records, including regular audits, reporting, and analysis

· Generate reports to support fundraising strategy, campaign tracking, and donor segmentation

· Generate acknowledgments and donor recognition lists and help refine systems for timely, thoughtful donor stewardship

· Partner with the Manager of Individual Giving on prospect tracking and pipeline development

· Partner with the Director of Development on capital campaign prospect tracking, appeals, acknowledgements and recognition

· Conduct and synthesize prospect research to inform cultivation and solicitation strategies

· Coordinate with Finance on monthly reconciliation and contribute to improving financial tracking processes

· Other responsibilities as assigned by Director of Development

Lead and support donor engagement and events

· Work with colleagues to identify opportunities to enhance donor engagement and retention through events and experiences

· Help to plan and execute fundraising and cultivation events alongside Manager of Individual Giving

· Manage event timelines, guest communications, and cross-departmental coordination

· Lead process for list creation, invitation strategy, RSVP tracking, and seating

· Serve as a point of contact for donors and VIPs at performances and events, ensuring a high-quality, personalized experience

· Support the Manager of Individual Giving in delivering patron program benefits to qualifying donors

Develop communications and materials

· Draft and edit donor communications acknowledgements and stewardship materials

· Assist Grants Manager in gathering collateral materials for grants and reports, as needed

· Create compelling donor-facing materials such as presentations, briefing documents, and campaign collateral

· Help maintain consistent messaging and voice across development communications

· Coordinate with the Marketing team to ensure delivery of communications materials in accordance with pre-planned timelines

Who You Are

· Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines independently

· A strong communicator, both written and verbal, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences

· Proactive and solutions-oriented, with sound judgment and follow-through

· Comfortable taking initiative while collaborating closely with a small team

· Interested in deepening a career in arts fundraising or arts administration

· Passionate about theatre and new work, with an enthusiasm for engaging artists, audiences, and supporters

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

· A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in a nonprofit fundraising, marketing or audience services office

· Experience with donor databases/CRMs (Spektrix or similar strongly preferred)

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office; comfort with data analysis and reporting

· Experience supporting events and donor engagement initiatives.

Working at The Vineyard

This is a hybrid position based in New York City with four days onsite while in production and three days when the theatre is dark. The role may be required to work in person as needed. The role includes some evening and weekend hours in support of performances and events. Vineyard Theatre has a collegial, warm working environment and a strong commitment to DEIA.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $62,000/year
Benefits upon vesting include: health, dental, vision, generous company holidays, vacation, 403(b) with match, TransitChek

Applications

Vineyard Theatre is committed to building an inclusive community reflective of New York City and the artists and audiences we serve. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities.

Please email a cover letter and resume in PDF format with the subject header “Development Associate – [Your Name]” to DevelopmentJobs@VineyardTheatre.org.