Chief Development Officer

WHO WE ARE

Arena Stage is the voice of American theater resident in our nation's capital. Focused on American artists, our productions are innovative and representative of stories from across the country. We nurture new plays and reimagine classics. We celebrate our democracy and diversity through a multitude of voices in our productions and community engagement programs to inspire people to action.

WHAT WE VALUE

A work culture that values experimentation and collaboration.

Excellence in all aspects of our endeavor.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion throughout the Organization and within our audience and the community.

Community Service through education and public engagement.

Lead effective partnerships and collaboration to serve artists and arts professionals.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Lead Arena Stage's development efforts by inspiring and guiding a culture of philanthropy across the organization. As Chief Development Officer, you will design and execute innovative strategies that engage individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, and government agencies in support of Arena Stage's mission and long-term vision. You will work closely with the Executive Producer, Artistic Director, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team to strengthen relationships, elevate fundraising outcomes, and ensure the financial vitality of Arena Stage.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Extensive background in cultivating and soliciting all contributed revenue streams, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies.
• Proven ability to develop, solicit, and steward major gifts, with success in leading capital and capacity-building campaigns.
• Strong leadership and team management experience, with the ability to mentor and inspire staff toward collective goals.
• Exceptional strategic planning and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and with the Board of Directors.
• Deep understanding of data-driven fundraising, CRM systems (experience with Tessitura a plus), and metrics-based evaluation.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; confident public presence and ability to represent Arena Stage in external settings.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in all facets of work and leadership.
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends as required for performances, events, and community engagements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership

• Create and implement a comprehensive annual development plan that meets contributed income goals and strengthens Arena's culture of philanthropy.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Producer, Artistic Director, and Board to establish multi-year fundraising strategies that align with organizational priorities.
• Develop and lead special campaigns for capital projects, capacity building, and endowment growth.

Team & Board Engagement

• Lead and mentor a team of development professionals, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Serve as a primary liaison to the Board of Directors and Development Committees, engaging members in donor cultivation and solicitation efforts.

Fundraising & Donor Relations

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors, corporate sponsors, and institutional funders.
• Develop creative donor engagement events and experiences that deepen connections with Arena Stage.
• Represent Arena Stage as an enthusiastic ambassador in the community and at key fundraising events.

Operations & Data Management

• Oversee contributed revenue and expense budgets in collaboration with the finance team.
• Ensure accurate tracking, analysis, and reporting of donor data and fundraising performance metrics.
• Collaborate with all departments to align fundraising strategies with programming, marketing, and community engagement goals.

The Washington Drama Society, Inc., Arena Stage does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at hr@arenastage.org or call 202-488-3300.