Development Director Jobs in New York
Development Director jobs in New York represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in nonprofit organizations, higher education, healthcare systems, and arts and cultural institutions at every level from associate director through chief development officer. Most hiring is centered in New York City, Albany, and Buffalo, where major employers such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the New York Public Library, and Columbia University consistently maintain development teams. Major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and annual fund leadership are the specialties drawing the most consistent demand. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Director of Business Development leads the company's new business strategy, owning the production pipeline, market intelligence, and key client relationships that drive growth across studio, location, and production services.
This role sits at the center of Sales, Operations, and Executive Leadership. You will identify and pursue new revenue opportunities, build the sales infrastructure and reporting that guide decisions, and represent the company with studios, production companies, and industry partners. The position combines strategic leadership with direct accountability for pipeline growth and revenue results.
Key Responsibilities
Growth Strategy & New Business
- Develop and execute the business development strategy to win new productions, studio clients, and strategic partnerships across all regions.
- Identify, evaluate, and prioritize new markets, services, and partnership opportunities, and build business cases for executive review.
- Personally lead pursuit of high-value opportunities, including major studio, series, and multi-project relationships, from first contact through close.
- Build and maintain senior-level relationships with studio executives, producers, production companies, content creators, and industry partners.
- Represent the company at industry events, markets, and association activities to strengthen visibility and generate new business.
Pipeline, CRM & Sales Infrastructure
- Own the CRM platform and production pipeline tracking system across all regions, ensuring data integrity, adoption, and timely follow-up.
- Lead the production leads desk, ensuring current production opportunities are qualified and routed to regional and national sales teams.
- Set best practices and accountability standards for CRM use, pipeline management, and client engagement across departments.
- Continuously improve business development, sales support, and marketing processes to increase efficiency and win rates.
Forecasting & Market Intelligence
- Own monthly, quarterly, and annual sales forecasting by region, comparing performance against budgets and targets and recommending corrective action.
- Track production announcements, greenlights, cancellations, tax incentive changes, and competitive activity through industry sources such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline.
- Direct market intelligence reporting that informs strategy, including:
- Competitive landscape and market share analysis
- Studio occupancy reporting
- Studio versus location production trends
- Project type and regional production activity
- Emerging production markets
- Industry trends and forecasting
Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership
- Serve as the strategic link between Sales, Operations, Marketing, and Executive Leadership, aligning teams around shared growth goals and the client experience.
- Lead and develop business development, sales operations, and pipeline staff, setting clear goals and performance expectations.
- Partner with Marketing on integrated campaigns that promote studio facilities, production locations, services, and strategic partnerships.
- Prepare and present executive presentations, strategic proposals, business plans, and briefing materials to senior leadership.
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, Entertainment Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in business development, sales, sales strategy, or entertainment industry operations, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
- Proven record of generating new business and meeting or exceeding revenue and pipeline targets.
- Established relationships with studios, production companies, producers, or production services providers.
- Deep experience with CRM systems, pipeline management, sales forecasting, and market analytics, including leading CRM adoption across teams.
- Experience leading or managing staff and driving accountability across departments. Exceptional written and verbal communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with experience presenting to senior executives.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred
Experience in film, television, media, studio, stage, location, or production services businesses.
Knowledge of production incentive programs and regional production markets.
Experience supporting multi-region or multi-location sales organizations.
Experience structuring partnerships, multi-project agreements, or long-term client contracts.
The Director of Business Development leads the company's new business strategy, owning the production pipeline, market intelligence, and key client relationships that drive growth across studio, location, and production services.
This role sits at the center of Sales, Operations, and Executive Leadership. You will identify and pursue new revenue opportunities, build the sales infrastructure and reporting that guide decisions, and represent the company with studios, production companies, and industry partners. The position combines strategic leadership with direct accountability for pipeline growth and revenue results.
Key Responsibilities
Growth Strategy & New Business
- Develop and execute the business development strategy to win new productions, studio clients, and strategic partnerships across all regions.
- Identify, evaluate, and prioritize new markets, services, and partnership opportunities, and build business cases for executive review.
- Personally lead pursuit of high-value opportunities, including major studio, series, and multi-project relationships, from first contact through close.
- Build and maintain senior-level relationships with studio executives, producers, production companies, content creators, and industry partners.
- Represent the company at industry events, markets, and association activities to strengthen visibility and generate new business.
Pipeline, CRM & Sales Infrastructure
- Own the CRM platform and production pipeline tracking system across all regions, ensuring data integrity, adoption, and timely follow-up.
- Lead the production leads desk, ensuring current production opportunities are qualified and routed to regional and national sales teams.
- Set best practices and accountability standards for CRM use, pipeline management, and client engagement across departments.
- Continuously improve business development, sales support, and marketing processes to increase efficiency and win rates.
Forecasting & Market Intelligence
- Own monthly, quarterly, and annual sales forecasting by region, comparing performance against budgets and targets and recommending corrective action.
- Track production announcements, greenlights, cancellations, tax incentive changes, and competitive activity through industry sources such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline.
- Direct market intelligence reporting that informs strategy, including:
- Competitive landscape and market share analysis
- Studio occupancy reporting
- Studio versus location production trends
- Project type and regional production activity
- Emerging production markets
- Industry trends and forecasting
Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership
- Serve as the strategic link between Sales, Operations, Marketing, and Executive Leadership, aligning teams around shared growth goals and the client experience.
- Lead and develop business development, sales operations, and pipeline staff, setting clear goals and performance expectations.
- Partner with Marketing on integrated campaigns that promote studio facilities, production locations, services, and strategic partnerships.
- Prepare and present executive presentations, strategic proposals, business plans, and briefing materials to senior leadership.
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, Entertainment Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in business development, sales, sales strategy, or entertainment industry operations, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
- Proven record of generating new business and meeting or exceeding revenue and pipeline targets.
- Established relationships with studios, production companies, producers, or production services providers.
- Deep experience with CRM systems, pipeline management, sales forecasting, and market analytics, including leading CRM adoption across teams.
- Experience leading or managing staff and driving accountability across departments. Exceptional written and verbal communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with experience presenting to senior executives.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred
Experience in film, television, media, studio, stage, location, or production services businesses.
Knowledge of production incentive programs and regional production markets.
Experience supporting multi-region or multi-location sales organizations.
Experience structuring partnerships, multi-project agreements, or long-term client contracts.
See All 231+ Development Director Jobs in New York
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Find Development Director JobsDevelopment Director Jobs by City in New York
Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Director Job Market in New York
A snapshot from current New York openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Education
- Science & Research
- Law & Legal Services
- Media & Entertainment
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development director jobs across New York.
- Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, or a related field required
- Demonstrated experience managing donor portfolios and soliciting major gifts
- Proven ability to lead fundraising campaigns and meet revenue targets
- Experience with prospect research tools and donor management database software
- Strong written communication skills for grant proposals and donor stewardship
- Familiarity with New York State nonprofit compliance and philanthropic landscape preferred
Development Director Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development director in New York?
Most development directors in New York enter the field through fundraising or donor relations roles at nonprofits, universities, or healthcare institutions and advance over several years. New York does not require a state license for this role, but the Certified Fund Raising Executive credential is widely recognized by major New York employers and signals professional credibility. A bachelor's degree is standard, and many senior roles in the city prefer candidates with a master's in nonprofit management or a related discipline.
Which companies hire development directors in New York?
Employers hiring development directors in New York right now include Dentsu, Iona University, and New York University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. New York's deep concentration of large nonprofits, hospital foundations, and research universities makes it one of the highest-volume states for this role year-round.
Which New York cities have the most development director jobs?
The cities with the most development director openings in New York are New York, Albany, and Brooklyn. New York City dominates because of its extraordinary density of major nonprofits, cultural institutions, and hospital foundations, while Albany and Buffalo draw from state government-adjacent organizations, regional hospital systems, and established community foundations that maintain full development staffs.
Are there remote development director jobs in New York?
Yes, and more than many fields, since much of the work involves writing, relationship management, and virtual donor meetings that translate well to remote settings. About 79% of development director openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting a shift that accelerated after the pandemic. Major gifts and corporate relations portfolios tend to offer the most flexibility, while roles tied to events or hands-on board engagement usually require an in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a development director in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a development associate or coordinator at a mid-size New York nonprofit or hospital foundation and moving into management after building a portfolio. Large institutions such as New York-Presbyterian, the United Way of New York City, and major research universities regularly hire entry-level development staff and promote from within. Pursuing the Certified Fund Raising Executive credential early and gaining experience with donor databases like Raiser's Edge or Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack gives candidates a strong edge over others at the same experience level.
Where can I find and apply to development director jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to development director jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly through each listing.
See All 231+ Development Director Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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