Director of Special Events - New York Theatre Workshop

About New York Theatre Workshop:



Since our founding in 1979 by Stephen Graham, New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) has fostered a community of adventurous audiences and visionary theatremakers, bringing them together to deepen our shared understanding of the world around us. We nurture pioneering new writers like Jeremy O. Harris and Celine Song and bring them into conversation with powerhouse playwrights like Ayad Akhtar and Amy Herzog. We empower inimitable auteurs like Rachel Chavkin and Lileana Blain-Cruz and lift up emerging directors like Awoye Timpo and Sammi Cannold. We continue to maintain decades-long commitments to artists like Caryl Churchill and Dael Orlandersmith, who have shaped our very understanding of what theatre can be.



Our productions have reached hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, and the work we’ve nurtured has gone on to move millions more uptown and around the world. Seven of our productions have transferred to Broadway, and in 2019, our work was honored with 16 Tony Awards nominations—including 8 Tonys for Best Musical winner HADESTOWN—and Heidi Schreck was a Pulitzer finalist for WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME. In 2020, SLAVE PLAY garnered the most Tony nominations for a play—the most in Broadway history! Our work has been recognized with a Pulitzer Prize and numerous Tony, Obie, and Drama Desk Awards, along with the Lilly Awards for our decades-long commitment to gender equality.



But that’s not what we’re proudest of. We take the greatest satisfaction from the community we’ve built and the perspective‐shifting experiences we’ve delivered along the way. Even in the middle of a global pandemic, our community has continued to deepen existing connections and expand into new ones. From calls to check in on each other to grants for our artists to brand new education programming, our staff, Board, artists, and audiences have shared in more than 175 virtual events attended by nearly 100,000 since the pandemic began. We are also thrilled to have returned to E. 4th Street and are in the midst of producing our third in-person show of this season. We all think that theatre can bring people together, change the conversation, and have a profound impact. We feel fortunate to get to support it. If that sounds like something you’re interested in too, we’d love to meet you.



About the Team:



Our development team includes six full‐time, one part‐time employee , and a Development Fellow led by the Director of Development, and they oversee all aspects of fundraising for this Off-Broadway theatre. The Director of Special Events reports directly to the Director of Development and works closely with every member of the development team.



About the Position:



New York Theatre Workshop seeks a Director of Special Events with a track record of imagining, planning, and executing successful fundraising and cultivation events. Responsibilities include:



Overseeing all aspects of planning and executing NYTW’s annual fundraising events, including our Annual Gala, while ensuring that revenue goals are met/exceeded, and expenses are kept at or below budget.

Collaborating with the Director of Development to develop solicitation plans and projections for NYTW’s fundraising events.

Creating comprehensive special event budgets and closely monitor projections.

Leading the planning of NYTW’s five Opening Nights per season as well as any special Benefit Performances and any one-off events related to specific productions as needed.

Conceiving, scheduling, planning, and overseeing donor stewardship events throughout the year, including NYTW’s Season Announcement Breakfast, Repeat Defender Nights, intimate donor dinners, etc.

Overall management of invitation strategy and implementation for all major events, provide direction to compile invitation lists, work with Marketing to develop invitations, create event programs, and prepare event program scripts, briefings, and participant remarks (as needed).

Manage all necessary relationships with external vendors, such as caterers, designers, producers, printers, mail houses, etc.

Soliciting and securing in-kind sponsorship as necessary for events.

Spearheading online events for donors and Trustees, including NYTW’s Culture Club.

Supervising and mentoring, along with the Director of Individual Giving, the Development Associate for Individual Giving and Special Events.

Cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a small portfolio of special event donors.

Ensuring that all gifts related to special events are processed, tracked, and acknowledged.

About You:



You are committed to an equitable and inclusive community.

You have hands-on event planning and fundraising experience.

You have a passion for theatre and a desire to build meaningful connections between adventurous theatergoers and visionary artists.

You are committed to open and honest communication.

You build strong, collaborative relationships with fellow staff, Board members, and donors alike.

You are detail-oriented and take pride in creating and participating in efficient processes.

You are excited about digging into data and fearless in mastering new data systems. You embrace technology and envision how it can be a tool to deepen the connection.

You enjoy a collaborative, team-focused working environment.

You are a planner, a list-maker, an organizational aficionado.

Bonus:



You have experience working in any aspect of the theatre industry.

You find ways to help you and your teammates work smarter.

You have experience with budgets and the know-how to navigate financial statements.

Salary range is $60,000-$65,000. Benefits include employer-paid medical, dental, life insurance, and paid time off. NYTW has several affinity spaces as well as a Core Team of staff members across the organization committed to moving specific initiatives forward in our focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. 



We know there are great candidates that may not have all of the qualifications listed above but possess intuitive knowledge or other fully transferable skills. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.



Please note that NYTW is in a hybrid work environment with Development professionals in the office at least three days a week. Our approach will continue to be evaluated based on advice from local, state, and federal authorities, and will take into account the personal situation of every employee. However, this position will require onsite, in-person activity, so the applicant should intend to reside in the greater NYC area.



Employees must be fully-vaccinated (as defined by the CDC). If you require medical or religious accommodation please email our HR Manager, Ygor Monteiro at YgorM@ntyw.org.



NYTW is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We are committed to diversity in all areas of our work, on and offstage. We encourage applicants with a unique cultural perspective inclusive of race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, class, physical ability, and sexual orientation.
Salary: $60,000 - $65,000