Job: Director of Development

 

Puppet Showplace Theater is seeking a highly motivated professional to oversee the strategic development, coordination, and implementation of the organization’s fundraising programs in collaboration with the Directors and Board of Trustees. The Director of Development will focus most of their time and efforts on major gifts fundraising.

This inaugural position will be responsible for executing a newly minted fundraising plan and will help shape an exciting new phase of growth for the organization as we approach our 50th anniversary in June 2024.

Our ideal candidate is extremely personable, organized, and self-directed. They will have in-depth knowledge of the non-profit arts sector and will be comfortable, confident and effective in soliciting gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies. This individual will bring an entrepreneurial attitude and creative energy to nurture a culture of philanthropy and meet ambitious fundraising goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overview:

The Director of Development will work with the Directors and Trustees to set ambitious annual fundraising goals and determine a fundraising budget for each fiscal year. They will provide research, reports and metrics to the leadership on a quarterly basis.

The Director of Development will lead all fundraising efforts, including individual giving (annual fund, fundraising appeals, major gifts, and membership) and institutional giving (foundation and government grants and corporate sponsorship.)

Individual Giving & Major Gifts (70%):

  • Manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors.
  • Conduct in-person visits, thank you calls, and personalized communications.
  • Conduct prospect research and data analysis to identify prospects, develop cultivation and stewardship strategies for moves management and major gifts.
  • Write, produce, and manage prospect and member communications, including direct mail, email, social media, webpages, online giving, and phone communications.
  • Organize cultivation and stewardship events to drive philanthropic engagement.
  • Organize, oversee, and develop special appeals that drive participation in the annual fund including, but not limited to the New Works Fund, the Mary Churchill Memorial fund for school scholarships, the Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers
  • Collaborate with Marketing & Communications Manager to produce high quality, effective collateral to support annual appeal strategies.
  • Process gifts and ensure timeliness and accuracy of gift reporting and acknowledgements.
  • Update and maintain donor records in CRM database, prepare reports, and track, analyze, and report fundraising metrics.
  • Engage staff and board in individual giving stewardship.

Institutional Giving (20%):

  • Collaborate with Directors on institutional giving priorities, strategies, content development, and grant writing/reporting.
  • Manage calendar of grants, reports, and related budgets.
  • Write compelling letters, proposals, and case statements.
  • Research new funding opportunities and cultivate relationships with Program Officers.
  • Keep up to date on funding trends and new grant program opportunities.

Corporate Giving (5%):

  • Develop corporate fundraising strategies and sponsorship opportunities with Directors and Board of Trustees.
  • Work with Communications & Marketing Manager to develop sponsorship benefits and insure implementation.
  • Research and solicit corporations for sponsorship opportunities.

Membership (5%):

  • Oversee Membership benefits and renewal process.
  • Design strategies for membership campaigns.
  • Direct member communications executed by Marketing & Communications Manager.
  • Support membership event planning.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Puppet Showplace Theater is located in Brookline Village with most performances, programs, and events programs held in our theater. Each member of our team works both in the office/theater and remotely. Some night and weekend work at events required.

DESIRED SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES:

Experience:

  • Demonstrated knowledge of the full spectrum of development practices, principles and activities, including gift policies, solicitations, stewardship, donor recognition, working with volunteers, and the ability to apply this knowledge creatively to fundraising projects.
  • Experience fundraising for a small non-profit organization, preferably an arts organization.
  • Experience with identification, cultivation and solicitation of annual and/or major gifts, required.
  • Previous experience interacting with donors, foundation officers or high level corporate decision-makers, required.
  • Successful grant writing experience and an understanding of the funding community, preferred.
  • Experience working with governing boards, preferred.
  • Experience with event planning, preferred.

Skills:

  • Strong work ethic and a passion for supporting performing arts, youth programming, and/or puppetry!
  • Strong computer skills and demonstrated proficiency with Google applications, Microsoft Office Suite; experience with a CRM system, ideally Altru.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, able to juggle many projects simultaneously, and oriented to problem-solving.
  • Sound professional judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and keen sensitivity to handling confidential information.
  • A proactive approach to taking initiative and working independently with limited supervision.
  • Demonstrated track record of meeting goals and objectives through effective program/project planning, organization, evaluation and execution.
  • Ability to speak authentically about the imperative for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the performing arts; be committed to learning about and practicing anti-racist work.
  • Willingness to meet with donors or trustees or attend performances and events on occasional evenings or weekends.
  • Pursue professional development opportunities to learn more about development and puppetry; display willingness and ability to grow, learn, explore new approaches, and practice self-reflection.

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with non-traditional workplace experience and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to arts and culture, returning to work after a gap in employment, or ready to take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to consider your application. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your experience and what you hope to bring to this role.

HOW TO APPLY:

You are encouraged to apply early, as interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.

Please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@puppetshowplace.org

Puppet Showplace is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all races, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, and national origins, and is committed to creating a work environment that values respect, integrity, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

APPLY BY: 

Jul 15, 2023

SALARY:

$60,000

Bonuses may be awarded for exceeding fundraising goals.

Learn More about Puppet Showplace on our website

Image Credit: “Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup” by Wonder Spark Puppets