Development Manager

Development Manager, Boulder Ballet 

The Development Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and managing all aspects of Boulder Ballet’s fundraising initiatives, including but not limited to major gifts, annual fund, planned giving, community engagement events, annual gala and other special events. The Development Director reports to the Executive Director, manages a small staff and works closely with the Artistic, Grants and Marketing team and members of the Fundraising Committee. This position is an excellent opportunity for an early- to mid-career professional looking for flexibility and growth opportunities.

This part-time position will be based within a commutable distance to Boulder, CO to operate in a hybrid work environment. Extended hours will be required during performances and other events throughout the season. 

About Boulder Ballet 

Boulder Ballet is a classical and contemporary ballet company entertaining Boulder audiences for nearly 40 years. Devoted to celebrating the artistry and joy of dance, Boulder Ballet is Boulder County's foremost professional dance company and ballet school. Boulder Ballet is a 501(c)(3) non–profit organization. 

Boulder Ballet believes that diversity makes dance better–diversity of perspectives, ideas, life experience, talent, and culture enriches the artistry and practice of dance. The Development Director serves based on the ballet’s values of Humanity, Creativity, Wellness and Quality.  

Top priorities Include, but are not limited to

• Supports the Executive Director, Grant Manager and Fundraising Committee members in creating donor engagement strategies and growing Boulder Ballet’s major gifts program to include identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 250 current individual donors, with a focus on cultivation, stewardship, retention, upgrades, and the development of solicitation strategies for major gift donors. 
• Plan and manage multiple fundraising events and campaigns throughout the year. This includes, but is not limited to an annual spring gala, a school fundraiser in the fall, lapsed donor and end- of-year/CO Gives campaigns, and other donor-cultivation events throughout the year. 
• Manage the annual fund, planned giving program and Gold Circle program.
• Plan and execute communication strategies, including marketing, public relations, and social media related to development and fundraising efforts.
• Oversee Database Manager in maintaining CRM platform, reporting and data analysis, gift acknowledgement, and maintenance of foundation, corporation, and individual donor files.
• Manage Colorado Gives and other profiles with up-to-date organizational information.
• Coordinate with Grants Manager in aspects of grant writing initiatives including research, writing, and tracking when needed.
• Manage cultivation and renewal of season and program community partners corporate sponsors.
• Create monthly written development activity, fundraising reports and other database reports as needed for bi-monthly fundraising committee meetings and quarterly board meetings.
• Work with Board Chair to manage Board giving, cultivation, and communication in addition to providing development information and materials as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in professional fundraising with demonstrated success and minimum of 3 years frontline fundraising experience, preferably within a dance or other culturally-driven organization.
• Proven record of securing five- and six-figure gifts
• Success on working independently on prospecting with a strong sense of initiative to complete set goals.
• Ability to develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies, and solicit and close major gifts.
• Familiarity with Salesforce a plus, in addition to knowledge of donor prospecting tools, Google Suite and MS Office. 
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills with long-term relationship building strategies. 
• Strong managerial skills and ability to motivate staff, board, and volunteers
• Passion for dance with fundraising for the arts and knowledge of dance as a plus.

Salary and Benefits 

• Part time position starting at average 20-25 hrs/week including evenings and weekends as needed with interest in growth to full time position. 
• Part time salary range $40-$50K commensurate with experience.
• Flexible work schedule with work from home opportunities (not a virtual position) 
• Vacation and sick leave based on Boulder Ballet handbook. 
• Tickets to performances 
• Opportunity to grow position to full time with health benefits.
• Desire to build authentic relationships with staff, donors and volunteers 

Start date: Sep 1, 2026 

How to Apply: Interested in the role? Please email a cover letter and resume or CV to Claudia@boulderballet.org with the subject – Development Manager.