Description

POSITION: Associate Director of Development

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time, Year-round

STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Director of Development & Communications

SUPERVISES: Full-time Development Coordinator, part-time Grant Writer

LOCATION: Williamstown, MA, or New York City, NY 

COMPENSATION: $85,000-100,000 annually, with benefits

HIRING TIMELINE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with a priority application deadline of February 23, 2024. Application review and interviews will be conducted starting February 26, with an anticipated start date of March 25, 2024.

Overview:

Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF), renowned for its dynamic and innovative summer theater festival in the Berkshires, is embarking on an exciting phase of institutional transformation. As part of this growth, we seek a seasoned, innovative, proactive, and strategically minded development professional to enhance our fundraising capabilities. The Associate Director of Development works in close partnership with the Director of Development & Communications, focusing on crafting and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies across the organization. Key areas of responsibility include overseeing department operations, spearheading individual donor contributions, planning special events, developing strategic communications, and managing special fundraising campaigns. Required qualifications include significant previous experience in nonprofit fundraising, outstanding communication skills, proven reliability and flexibility in various contexts, robust administrative and organizational capabilities, experience with customer relationship management and fundraising database systems (familiarity with PatronManager or Salesforce is preferred), and a passion for the arts. Apply online at wtfestival.org/work-and-learn

Key Responsibilities and Functions:

• Collaborate with the Director of Development & Communications in formulating and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy encompassing the Annual Fund, capital campaigns, Board development, institutional giving, and special fundraising events.
• Seek and execute strategies to enhance individual and institutional donation efforts, aiming to expand the donor base, increase average donation amounts, and boost donor retention.
• Nurture donor relationships, manage donor stewardship, and pinpoint new donor prospects to meet and exceed revenue targets.
• Strategically manage the Annual Fund by setting its overarching strategy and creating a timeline for solicitations.
  • Oversee a portfolio of 50-75 major annual donors, aiming for 6-8 engagements per month, which could include phone calls.
  • Plan and oversee the annual sequence of donation drives, encompassing mail, digital platforms, and event-based fundraising.
  • Track the Annual Fund's performance and recommend adjustments in strategy, solicitor assignments, and action plans as needed.
  • Handle the coordination and supervision of volunteer solicitors, including prospect research and preparation of solicitation materials.
  • Sustain and strengthen relationships with existing donors while identifying and engaging potential new donors.
• Assist in managing the year-round Development Department and seasonal development team.
  • Supervise the full-time Development Coordinator in the execution of donor communications, gift processing, database management, special events planning, and other administrative priorities. 
  • Supervise the part-time Grant Writer by managing Williamstown Theatre Festival's institutional giving pipeline, including contributing to grant proposals and reports.
• Act as the Campaign Manager for specific fundraising campaigns.
  • Contribute significantly to the success of the campaign.
  • Monitor and report on campaign progress toward set goals.
  • Engage in campaign prospect discussions.
  • Aid in developing strategies, scripts, and key points for engagement and solicitation activities.
  • Ensure proper acknowledgment and stewardship of campaign donors.
  • Offer logistical support for the Board, including agenda coordination, material preparation, and meeting minutes.
  • Manage the campaign's schedule.
  • Implement best practices in campaign data management.
  • Coordinate the drafting and submission of grant proposals and funding applications related to the campaign.
• Collaborate with various departments in the execution of institutional priorities, including with the marketing team to devise and implement a strategic communications plan and messaging.
• Assist with a variety of general fundraising initiatives and tasks as required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Prior experience in fundraising within a fast-paced nonprofit environment
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to adapt creatively and effectively to new challenges
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with diverse individuals
• Competence in handling multiple projects and prioritizing effectively
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and familiarity with PatronManager or similar CRM databases
• Commitment to confidentiality and maintaining sensitive information
• Ability to work select nights and weekends

WTF Cultural Expectations:

• Adherence to all WTF policies and safety procedures
• Consistent attendance and punctuality
• Effective time management and prioritization
• Participation in WTF events as needed
• Supportive and positive attitude toward team collaboration
• Embrace the Festival’s commitment to EDIA and Anti-Racism by actively participating in and encouraging behaviors among staff members that exemplify respect; interrupting microaggressions and other behaviors that hinder our EDIA and Anti-Racism efforts; engaging in the diversification of the workforce; demonstrating a degree of cultural competency that encourages healthy relationships with all company members

Benefits:

• Medical and Dental Insurance
• Eligibility for 403(b) contributions with employer match after one year of employment
• Paid Federal Holidays and extended holiday breaks
• Housing provided during summer months

Application Process:

Interested candidates should apply by submitting the following:

• A cover letter outlining experience and qualifications
• A comprehensive resume
• Optional: Up to five pages of pre-existing writing samples (as one PDF)

Thank you for your interest in joining the Williamstown Theatre Festival team! We appreciate your commitment to supporting the arts and look forward to reviewing your application.

About Williamstown Theatre Festival

Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF) has brought emerging and professional theater artists together for 69 years to create a thrilling summer festival of world-premiere work alongside fresh, new revivals. New plays and musicals commissioned, developed, and produced at the Festival fill theaters around the world. Recently, WTF was represented on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regionally by The Sound Inside, Grand Horizons, The Rose Tattoo, The Visit, Fool for Love, The Elephant Man, Seared, Selling Kabul, Unknown Soldier, the 2018 Pulitzer-Prize-winning Cost of Living, and Lempicka, which will make its Broadway debut this spring. Learn more at wtfestival.org.

We acknowledge that Williamstown Theatre Festival is a Predominantly White Institution (PWI) located in a county that is 91% white, according to the US Census Bureau. We are actively engaged in the work of becoming a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, accessible, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive institution that not only welcomes BIPOC artists and staff but nurtures an environment that allows everyone to thrive. More specific actions on these efforts can be found in our Progress Report on our website: https://wtfestival.org/work-learn/.

Williamstown Theatre Festival is committed to telling diverse stories and fostering an inclusive environment both onstage and off. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. We believe that opportunity, access, resources, and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Therefore, WTF is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants shall be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, sex/gender (including pregnancy and gender identity), disability, military status, veteran status, marital status, familial status, ancestry, genetics, or any other class or characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Candidates from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply.