Director of Development and Communications

Position Summary

The Director of Development and Communications (Director) will lead fundraising, external
communications, and marketing initiatives for Arts & Ideas, and is charged with bringing the
values of Arts & Ideas to wider populations and expanding relationships.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director serves alongside and works closely with the
Senior Leadership Team. The Director will lead a team to increase and diversify revenue
streams while elevating brand recognition and visibility of Arts & Ideas in the Greater New
Haven community and beyond. Together with the Executive Director, they are a key liaison for
Arts & Ideas to the business and philanthropic communities and greater public, actively seeking
out connections that enhance the work of Arts & Ideas and building upon already established
strong relationships with area colleges and universities, city, state and federal government, arts
and humanities organizations, downtown commerce, and regional businesses.

Currently a $3.3M organization and coming up on its 30th anniversary, the Director will be
responsible for the creation and implementation of a strategic development plan that leverages
Arts & Ideas success and role in the community to increase contributions from individuals,
corporations, and foundations. A particular area of focus will be the growth and maintenance of
Major Gifts ranging from $10,000-$100,000 in addition to overall contributed revenue
strategies and implementation. The role will collaborate with the board, the Development
Committee, and will lead staff to increase annual philanthropic support from individuals,
sponsors, foundations, and government agencies while also focusing on future campaign and
planned giving initiatives.

Additionally, the Director will oversee the Creative Manager and Public Relations Consultants
and work closely with the staff and board to manage all aspects of Arts & Ideas communication
and marketing strategies. In addition to strengthening the brand and maintaining its integrity,
they will evaluate its effectiveness in terms of ticket sales.

The Director of Development and Communications will have the following responsibilities:

Management and Administration
• Oversee the Development, Communications and Marketing staff, leveraging the
institutional knowledge and skills of the team, mentoring staff to further develop their
professional acumen, and encouraging an open and transparent work culture that
supports Arts & Ideas goals and objectives.
• Share information about development and marketing strategies, foundation and
government grant funding, sponsorship opportunities, marketing strategies, and press
opportunities with Arts & Ideas board and staff on a regular basis throughout the year.
• Provide financial oversight to the Development Department and collaborate with the
Finance team in the forecasting and tracking of contributed revenue and expenses.
• Ensure a healthy workplace and organizational policies that value experience and new
ideas.
• Delegate appropriate responsibilities and perform succession planning in keeping with a
well-managed operation and infrastructure that supports the organization and the
communities it serves
• Embrace other management and administration responsibilities, as appropriate. The
Director leads a team of 3-4 FTEs and 2 contractors, including:

Associate Director of Development
Development Associate
Creative Manager
Open position in development – TBD.
Grant Writer (contract position)
PR (contract)

Fund Development

• Guide the creation and implementation of a strategic advancement plan that addresses
Arts & Ideas short and long-term fundraising goals in the context of its overall equity,
diversity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Lead Arts & Ideas in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of
donors and prospects, designing and implementing strategies to increase levels of
annual giving and legacy gifts, including those from diverse communities throughout the
region.
• Focus on the growth and revitalization of the planned giving program to effectively
secure deferred gifts and celebrate the legacy of those who are committed to Arts &
Ideas and vitality of New Haven.
• Maintain a positive relationship with donors who have given between $10,000 and
$100,000 to Arts & Ideas.
• Provide guidance and support to the Development Committee in overall fundraising
advancement activities, leveraging their networks to identify new donor and board
prospects and stewarding existing donors towards a higher level of involvement.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors that includes current and lapsed donors and new
prospects, cultivating and stewarding their interest and involvement in Arts & Ideas and
resulting in increased levels of giving.
• Generate consistent donor touch points and execute at least 150 individual donor visits
per fiscal year.
• Embrace other donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship responsibilities, as
appropriate.

Marketing and Communications (MarComm)

• Create MarComm plan as aligned to the marketing and communications budget
• Develop and maintain communications calendar
• Elevate Arts & Ideas profile and brand through comprehensive strategies including
relationships with key influencers and press
• Oversee and provide vision for all institutional communications including annual
reports, collateral, videos, social media presence, etc.
• Support staff and board in developing their communication skills and messaging through
training
• Work with outside Press Representative to reach a broad range of national media for
institutional, destination, and programmatic press.
• Make public appearances, attend networking events, and accept speaking engagements
to share information about Arts & Ideas

Earned Revenue

• Collaborate with the Managing Director to achieve or exceed budgeted revenue on
ticket sales
• Work closely with staff on ticket pricing, promotions, paid advertising and media
strategy and implementation, and packaging.

A successful Director will be a pragmatic visionary and a champion of Arts & Ideas mission,
vision, and values. They will be highly organized, energetic, goal-driven, and able to execute
tactically while maintaining focus on the big picture. They can adapt between internal and
external roles and are equally adept at working collaboratively or independently as needed. A
visible and people-oriented development professional, the Director thrives in fast-paced
environments, enjoys events and networking, and has strong interpersonal skills. The individual
engenders confidence and trust with executives, peers, prospects, donors, and board members,
inspiring the community and team around a shared vision for Arts & Ideas’ long-term success.

Desired and Required Qualifications

• Minimum five years of senior development and fundraising experience with
demonstrated success securing five-figure major individual and legacy gifts, as well as
corporate, foundation, and government support.
• Minimum of two years managing direct reports in development and/or marketing and
communications
• Proven ability to achieve contributed revenue goals while being cognizant of best
practices, trends, and innovations in the development arena.
• Depth and breadth of knowledge in strategic advancement, membership programs,
annual fund giving, and prospect research.
• Technologically savvy and possess knowledge of and interest in emerging trends in
securing philanthropic support and effective marketing as it pertains to the
advancement of Arts & Ideas funding.
• Evidence of significant, substantial, and increasing responsibility in a senior
development role within an entrepreneurial, cultural, higher education, and/or social
action organization are required.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Experience in brand strategy, positioning, and marketing, preferred
• Track record in building partnerships and community relationships with racially,
culturally, and socioeconomically diverse groups and individuals, as well as with
corporations, foundations, and government agencies.
• Commitment to the New Haven community.
• Ability to travel regionally, with potential for national and international travel.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Multilingual candidates are appreciated.

Shared Values

Excellence in Performance and Leadership
Collaboration
Embracing Diversity
Inclusiveness – bringing people together
Openness to new ideas, new arts, new cultures, new individuals
Stewardship
Integrity

Schedule, Compensation and Benefits

Arts & Ideas regular office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday with the
option to work up to two days from home. Work schedules will vary during the festival and
around special events.

The budgeted salary range for the role is $110,000 – $135,000 and will be commensurate with
experience; this position is full-time and FLSA exempt.

Arts & Ideas offers a competitive employee benefits package, including four weeks of paid
parental leave, a 403 (B) retirement plan, health, dental, vision and other insurance plans. Paid
time off (13 days) and sick time (5 days) are awarded on an accrual basis. There are 10 observed
holidays as well as an office-wide closure the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

About New Haven, CT

Home to one of the nation’s oldest cities, Greater New Haven is bursting with innovation. New
Haven is home to numerous colleges and universities, including Gateway Community College,
Ivy League Yale University, Albertus Magnus, Southern Connecticut State University, and the
University of New Haven. Known as the “Cultural Capital of Connecticut,” New Haven is an
extremely exciting place to be. The art and music scene, along with some excellent theater and
sports, are just some of the things New Haven citizens enjoy.

Located on Long Island Sound, the city boasts urban streetscapes that meet coastal beaches
where famous attractions stand beside hidden gems. It has a population of approximately
136,000 and residents enjoy an urban-suburban mix lifestyle with many bars, restaurants,
coffee shops, and parks.

About International Festival of Arts & Ideas
Founded in 1996, and led by Executive Director Shelley Quiala since 2020, the mission is to
create an internationally renowned festival in New Haven of the highest quality, with world-
class artists, thinkers, and leaders, attracting and engaging a broad and diverse audience,
celebrating, and building community and advancing economic development. Arts & Ideas
envisions a flourishing city and state in which a festival of arts and ideas plays a vital role in
enriching lives and leading people to understand how their futures are intertwined. The 2024
International Festival of Arts & Ideas will take place June 14-29.

To apply, please send a cover letter and résumé or CV to
https://artidea.bamboohr.com/careers

Arts & Ideas is an equal opportunity employer. Research shows that women and people from
underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We
recognize that a candidate is unlikely to meet 100% of the qualifications for a role. We
encourage you to consider the breadth and depth of your experience when applying.