Associate Vice President, Principal Gifts

Witt Kieffer is proud to partner with the New York Philharmonic in its search for the next Associate Vice President, Principal Gifts (AVP).

Witt Kieffer is proud to partner with the New York Philharmonic in its search for the next Associate Vice President, Principal Gifts (AVP).

The New York Philharmonic stands at a defining moment in its long and distinguished history, and the AVP, Principal Gifts will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping its philanthropic future. As the institution prepares for its next comprehensive campaign and embraces a new era of artistic leadership under Music and Artistic Director Designate Gustavo Dudamel and President & CEO Matías Tarnopolsky, the AVP will be responsible for developing and driving strategies that secure transformational philanthropic support.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Philanthropy, Adam Z. Gerdts, the AVP will lead all principal gift activity, guide early planning for an institution‑wide campaign, manage a portfolio of high‑capacity donors, and partner closely with Board members and senior leadership to advance the Philharmonic's most ambitious priorities.

The AVP will oversee the Director, Principal Gifts and Director, Special Gifts, ensuring that donor strategies, campaign activity, and internal coordination reflect a sophisticated and data‑driven approach. Collaborating across Development, Artistic, Education, Finance, and External Affairs, the AVP will translate organizational priorities and artistic vision into compelling funding opportunities. A key responsibility will be crafting the overarching principal gifts strategy for the forthcoming comprehensive campaign – an effort with significant institutional urgency following the Philharmonic's successful $550 million David Geffen Hall renovation campaign (in partnership with Lincoln Center) and major endowment gifts that signal extraordinary potential among current and prospective philanthropists.

To succeed, the AVP must build deep, effective relationships with senior leaders including the Senior Vice President, the President & CEO, VPs across the organization, and influential members of the Board. These partnerships will be essential in forging donor connections, navigating sensitive cultivation strategies, and establishing the AVP's credibility with the institution's most important supporters. The role will also require significant managerial expertise.

In addition to managing two direct reports, the AVP will work with the Director, Principal Gifts to hire additional principal gift officers, help mentor the existing advancement team, build a strong principal gifts operation, and elevate fundraising systems, analytics, and reporting to support a high‑performing campaign environment.

Central to long‑term success will be expanding the donor pipeline. With New York's unmatched philanthropic landscape and the Philharmonic's global brand, the AVP will be tasked with identifying, engaging, and stewarding a new generation of prospects while deepening relationships with longstanding supporters. This work will provide the foundation for sustainable growth and future campaigns, ensuring the Philharmonic continues to thrive artistically and institutionally.

The ideal candidate will bring a proven record of securing principal gifts at the $500,000 level and above, deep experience in campaign strategy and execution, strong strategic thinking abilities, and exceptional communication and relationship building skills. With at least ten years of progressive fundraising experience and a passion for the Philharmonic's mission, the AVP will help shape the next chapter of one of the world's most iconic cultural institutions.

We invite you to review a complete leadership profile here.

Witt Kieffer is assisting the New York Philharmonic with this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by Friday, April 10, 2026
. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the Leadership Profile. Application materials should be submitted…