Chief Development Officer

Chief Development Officer

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts, October 2025

Reports to : Executive Director

Location : New York City (Fall / Winter / Spring) | Sag Harbor, NY (Summer – housing provided)

About Bay Street Theater

Bay Street Theater is a year-round, not-for-profit LORT C professional theater and community cultural center in Sag Harbor, New York. Since 1991, we have been recognized as “one of the country’s pre-eminent regional theatres” (CBS Sunday Morning), producing world premieres, developing new works, and creating transformative theater experiences. Our 299-seat theater serves as a cultural beacon on the East End of Long Island, offering a Mainstage Series, new works development, extensive education programming, and meaningful community partnerships.

The Opportunity

Bay Street Theater seeks an experienced and dynamic Chief Development Officer to lead our development efforts and serve as a key member of the senior management team. This leadership position offers significant growth potential and the opportunity to shape the fundraising strategy of a prestigious regional theater at a pivotal moment in its evolution.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Artistic Director, Deputy Director, and Board of Trustees, you will drive revenue growth, deepen donor relationships, and build sustainable funding streams to support our $5-6 million annual budget and ambitious artistic vision.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive advancement strategy, with particular focus on major gifts ($25,000+)
• Create a robust individual giving program, identifying prospects and moving donors through the cultivation pipeline
• Build year-round giving campaigns including membership, special events (Gala, cultivation events), and annual appeals
• Mentor and lead the development team (Director of Sponsorships, Associate Director of Development)

Donor Relations & Major Gifts

Institutional Giving

Development Operations

Special Events

Qualifications

Required :

Preferred

Why Bay Street Theater?

Additional Information About Bay Street Theater

Mainstage Productions

Our cornerstone is a summer season (May‑September) featuring 3-4 fully staged Equity productions, typically including one new work, one classic, and a musical. We’ve produced over two dozen world premieres since 1992, with productions moving to Broadway, Off‑Broadway, and regional theaters nationwide.

New Works Development

Our annual Title Wave : New Works Festival provides playwrights with professional directors, actors, dramaturgical support, and staged readings before live audiences.

Education Programs

Community Partnerships

Our Facility

A 14,000 sq ft building featuring a 299-seat theater with 3 / 4 thrust stage, lobby with bar, box office, production offices, costume shop, and dressing rooms.

To Apply

Submit your cover letter and resume as one PDF to hr@baystreet.org with the subject line : Chief Development Officer

Bay Street Theater & the Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.

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