Job: Development Director
Ensemble Studio Theatre is a Hell’s Kitchen-based, Off-Broadway theatre at the forefront of the search for next Development Director in New York City.
Ensemble Studio Theatre seeks a passionate, resourceful, and creative leader who is dedicated to fulfilling the mission and vision of the organization by leading its development activities. The Development Director (DD) plays a critical role in ensuring the financial stability and growth of the organization. This individual will be responsible for cultivating individual and major giving, writing compelling grant applications, assisting the board of directors, and being a key strategic partner and advisor that will work collaboratively with the staff to meet fundraising goals and ensure that all fundraising efforts align with EST’s overall strategic direction.
The DD will be the only member of the Development Department, although EST does anticipate growing the department in the future. The position reports directly to the Managing Director. While experience in the arts is preferred, it is not required, and candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
EST has some key development activities that it regularly operates as listed below. While this is the current development programming, EST is open and enthusiastic about expanding their activities and reach.
- Annual Appeal at the end of every calendar year
- Spring Appeal at the end of every season
- Benefit nights during mainstage productions
- Peer-to-peer fundraising event in the second half of every year
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
Individual and Major Giving
- Develop and execute strategies, including creative and holistic strategies, for cultivating and soliciting individual donors, including high-net-worth individuals andfoundation andcorporate partners.
- Build and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors, ensuring their ongoing engagement and support.
- Maintain donor records and update donor software.
Grant Writing
- Prepare and submit grant applications to a variety of foundations, government agencies, and other grant-making institutions.
- Maintain relationships with long-stranding foundational partners.
- Research and prospect new grant opportunities.
- Craft persuasive proposals that articulate EST’s mission and programs and secure funding to support them.
- Manage reporting for existing grants.
Board Management
- Work closely with the board of directors to engage them in fundraising efforts.
- Provide support and guidance to board members in their individual fundraising roles, while also managing the development committee and its activities.
Fundraising Events
- Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising events and campaigns, including donor cultivation events, galas, and online giving campaigns.
- Ensure these events contribute to EST’s revenue goals and align with the organization’s mission and vision.
Collaborative Teamwork
- Serve as a collaborative leader for the staff.
- Contribute to EST’s annual budgeting process. Communicate and track fundraising progress and needs to key stakeholders.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Top candidates will have the following qualifications:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including networking and public speaking skills.
- Senior management or administrative experience in a nonprofit organization with a strong preference for those with experience in the arts.
- A proven track record of successfully cultivating individual and major gifts.
- Strong grant writing skills and a track record of securing grants from diverse sources.
- Experience of working with Boards of Directors.
- Knowledge of fundraising best practices and familiarity with donor databases.
- Passion for the arts.
- Strong strategic planning skills.
- Innovative thinker.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of stakeholders, including artists, staff, board members, and community members.
- A demonstrated commitment to the values of antiracism, equity, and inclusion and demonstrated experience working with BIPOC artists and communities.
- Demonstrated leadership in assuring that the artistic, human, and financial resources of the development department are effectively deployed with care and compassion.
- A demonstrated history of cultivating relationships across a variety of communities.
- A connection to, or knowledge of, New York City is a plus.
SALARY & BENEFITS
Salary: $70,000/year. Full-time, exempt.
Benefits Package: EST Offers the following benefits:
- Hybrid Office/WFH culture
- $800 monthly stipend towards health premium
- Employee-Covered option to add dental and vision insurance
- 10 PTO days
- 3 personal days
- Up to 40 hours of sick time
- Office also observes other personal time off seasonally that is not part of employee designated days