Director of Development

CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

POSITION: Director of Development

REPORTS TO: Managing Director

DEPARTMENT: Development

STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $105,000–$120,000, commensurate with experience

ABOUT CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

Founded in 1915, Cleveland Play House (CPH) is America’s first professional regional theatre and a nationally recognized cultural institution. Throughout its history, CPH has launched groundbreaking new work, produced celebrated classics and contemporary plays, and served as a vital artistic home for generations of artists and audiences.

As Cleveland Play House enters a transformative new chapter, the organization is building on its legacy while embracing new opportunities for artistic excellence, community impact, and long-term sustainability. The Director of Development will play a critical leadership role in shaping that future.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Development serves as Cleveland Play House’s chief fundraising strategist and development leader, responsible for planning, implementing, and advancing comprehensive fundraising efforts that support the organization’s mission, artistic ambitions, and financial goals.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Development will cultivate meaningful relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, and community partners while developing strategies to increase contributed revenue and deepen philanthropic engagement.

This position is ideal for a strategic, relationship-driven fundraiser who is energized by building partnerships, inspiring investment, and helping guide a historic institution through a period of growth and evolution.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Develop and implement comprehensive annual and multi-year fundraising strategies.
• Establish contributed revenue goals and benchmarks in partnership with the Managing Director and Finance team.
• Identify opportunities to grow major gifts, institutional support, sponsorships, annual giving, and future campaign initiatives.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Managing Director regarding fundraising priorities, donor engagement, and institutional advancement.
• Provide regular revenue forecasting and fundraising analysis to support organizational planning and decision-making.

Major and Principal Gifts

• Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 75–100 individual donor prospects ($10,000 ).
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift donors.
• Develop individualized strategies for donor engagement, renewal, and increased investment.
• Partner closely with the Managing Director, trustees, and volunteers on major gift cultivation and solicitation efforts.
• Prepare donor strategies, briefing materials, proposals, and stewardship plans.

Foundation and Corporate Giving

• Develop and execute strategies for foundation, government, and corporate support.
• Manage relationships with institutional funders and corporate partners.
• Work with grant-writing support to ensure timely submission of proposals and reports.
• Identify new institutional funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.

Annual Giving and Donor Stewardship

• Provide strategic oversight of annual giving programs and donor communications.
• Ensure thoughtful and meaningful stewardship experiences across donor levels.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications staff to develop fundraising messaging and donor-facing content.
• Strengthen donor retention, renewal, and upgrade strategies.

Board and Volunteer Engagement

• Partner with the Managing Director and Board leadership to advance fundraising efforts.
• Support Development Committee activities and fundraising initiatives.
• Assist trustees in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospective donors.
• ·Help foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and mentor development staff.
• Establish clear goals, priorities, and accountability measures.
• Foster a collaborative, donor-centered, and mission-driven culture.
• Support staff professional growth and development.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as an active member of the senior leadership team.
• Participate in institutional planning and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Represent Cleveland Play House at community, donor, and civic events.
• Support organizational initiatives that advance audience engagement, community relationships, and institutional visibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success securing six-and seven-figure major gifts.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies that achieve measurable results.
• Strong relationship-building and donor cultivation skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required for donor events, performances, and organizational activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven or more years of fundraising leadership experience.
• Experience in performing arts, higher education, cultural, or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience with campaign planning and execution.
• Knowledge of Cleveland’s philanthropic community.
• Experience managing fundraising staff and volunteers.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Benefits package includes group health insurance to which CPH contributes a portion of the employee’s premium, group dental and vision plans. Paid vacation, company and discretionary holidays as well as the opportunity to participate in a 401 (K) plan. Parking is available at employee’s cost.

Cleveland Play House is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive

consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin,

disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or

expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Employment in this position requires the clear result of a criminal background check and, from time

to time during your employment, CPH may require you to obtain a new background check.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should upload a cover letter and resume as one combined document. Submit here, or to rfink@clevelandplayhouse.com

For additional information on Cleveland Play House, visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com

Salary : $105,000 - $120,000