Director of Development

Playwrights Horizons is a writer’s theater committed to the advancement of bold and visionary contemporary playwrights, through the development and production of daring new work and the education of future theatermakers. In a city rich with cultural offerings, Playwrights Horizons’ 55-year-old mission is unique among theaters of its size; the organization has distinguished itself by a steadfast commitment to centering the voice of the playwright. It’s a mission that is always timely, and one that’s necessary in the ongoing evolution of theater in this country. By expanding the U.S. theater canon with a wider range of voices, Playwrights Horizons aims to be a home for the exploration of playwriting and an anti-racist center of curiosity, dialogue, and artistic risk.

Playwrights Horizons, an award-winning Off-Broadway theater located in the heart of Manhattan, seeks a dynamic, strategic and collaborative Director of Development to lead a high-performing advancement team and help shape the organization’s next phase of growth.

This is a role for a creative and strategic fundraising leader who wants to build and shape an ambitious, forward-looking development program. The Director will drive strategy across individual and institutional giving, events, board engagement, and campaign planning efforts, playing a central role in shaping and leading Playwrights Horizons’ next major campaign, currently in its quiet phase and anticipated to launch publicly in the next year. There is meaningful opportunity here to expand the organization’s philanthropic reach, bring new ideas to life, and translate vision into tangible results.

The Director will lead a team of five, including three direct reports, and serve as a key member of the senior leadership team. In close partnership with colleagues and the Board, they will help strengthen a culture of philanthropy that is deeply relational, future-focused, and positioned for sustained growth.

Playwrights Horizons currently operates on a hybrid-work schedule, requiring a minimum of three (3) days per week on site. Additionally, this role includes occasional evening and weekend work, as well as travel in support of events, donor engagement, and the organization’s broader community.

The salary range for this position is between $95,000-$150,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

Playwrights Horizons is committed to building a more just future for everyone—particularly those from historically oppressed communities, by employing a broad spectrum of voices that will enrich the quality and vitality of our work. Playwrights Horizons is an equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to uprooting all systems of oppression by demonstrative equitable and inclusive practices.

The organization is interested in receiving applications from people of all races, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, classes, religions, and people with disabilities. The facilities at Playwrights Horizons are fully accessible and ADA compliant.

Please submit your application materials to our portal HERE. No phone calls please.

Full link to application; https://form.asana.com/?k=J0i34-F2M5IhmJI5J1IGrA&d=17022989146991

Priority Consideration Deadline: Friday, April 28th, 2026 (applications received by this date will be reviewed first and guaranteed equal consideration). After April 28th applications will be accepted but considered only on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

We expect first round interviews to occur in Mid-May. Semi-finalists will meet with Casey York, Managing Director and another team member, approximately late May or early June with a final round aiming to be in mid to late June with members of the senior staff, development department, and Board. An offer is expected to be made by the end of June with an ideal start date of August 3, 2026.

Our outgoing Development Director, Ben Weisman, is transitioning into a newly created position Director of Strategic Partnerships to focus on a portfolio of Earned Revenue initiatives, and will be available to meet with semi-finalists during the process and to help onboard the new Director of Development.