Development Director

Designation: Regular Full-Time, Hybrid with evening and weekend availability as needed to support in-person donor cultivation

Reports to: Board of Directors through the Board President

Short North Stage is a professional non-profit regional theater company located in the heart of the Short North Arts District in Columbus, Ohio. As an SPT Tier 6 Equity theater we produce 7 musicals and occasional special performances in our season. We love to feature exciting new takes on classics, edgy and provocative new works, and stories that will truly resonate with our audiences. Our mission to feature creative teams, onstage talent, offstage talent, and staff with diverse, unique voices remains strong as we continuously look for qualified applicants.

The Director of Development will work closely with the Producing Artistic Director, the Board of Directors, Development Committee, and staff to plan and execute a strategic program that encompasses membership integrated into annual giving, major gifts, gift in kind donations, foundation and government grants, corporate sponsorships, infrastructure campaigns, and special events. This position would be responsible for raising 40% of the company’s $2.2 million dollar budget.

Job Duties

I. Development

• Strengthen and diversify the fundraising program by expanding Short North Stage’s donor base (including but not exclusive to corporate contributions, individual contributions, foundation, agency grants, and gift in kind donations).
• Cultivate and retain the current list of donors.
• Build and oversee the implementation of an aspirational, achievable annual development plan.
• Meet or exceed fundraising goals, as determined annually during organizational budgeting.
• Conduct extensive prospect research.
• Use innovative strategies and creative ideas to identify, cultivate, and solicit new prospects.
• Craft strategies to leverage SNS’s current programs, activities and events to promote greater donor/sponsor participation.
• Manage private grant initiatives from family foundations.
• Build and implement an effective corporate development strategy.
• Oversee effective strategies for annual fund: direct mail, online giving, events, email and social media campaigns.
• Manage and grow the Spotlight Society, our major donor group.
• Plan and execute annual fundraising/thank you events, including Gala, Subscriber Intermissions, etc.
• Plan and execute special events throughout the season as requested (fundraisers, talk-backs, opening night receptions, etc.).
• Plan and implement a robust annual donor stewardship program.

II. Operations and Communications

• Input all donor contributions and ensure the accuracy of all donor records.
• Prepare and produce all development reports on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.
• Acknowledge contributions on a timely basis.
• Maintain effective development systems and record-keeping procedures to track current and prospective donors and accurately report all fundraising income.
• Prepare, monitor and manage the annual development budget.
• Align development-related communications with the organizational brand and provide ongoing evaluation of key messaging as it relates to development activity.
• Work closely with the staff to facilitate a positive working environment.

III. Leadership and Outreach

• Represent the organization externally in partnership with the Artistic Director and Board of Directors.
• Further engage with peers in local and national organizations.
• Facilitate, engage, and support the Development Committee and the Board of Directors to meet fundraising goals.

Short North Stage Values

We Care -We’re invested in our artists, our community and our team feeling valued and considered.
We Are Bold -We make innovative, sometimes provocative choices that inspire and challenge.
We Are Fun -The SNS experience is personal, intimate, welcoming and enjoyable– always.
We Share – We plan, build and perform with collective visions created through collaboration and inclusion. Diverse views and experiences power our choices.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree and 3-5+ years in nonprofit fundraising.
• Passion for development and  familiarity of the local arts community and its residents.
• Proven track record in securing major gifts, grants, corporate contributions, and sponsorships, as well as achieving fundraising goals.
• Successful at working with and motivating board members.
• Ability to develop and manage budgets and prepare financial reports.
• Strategic thinker and persuasive communicator who understands the value of relationships.
• Familiarity preferred in all Microsoft Office, Google applications, Audience View/OvationTix, and Tessitura.
• Excellence in all oral and written communications.
• Experience in successful grant writing.
• Highly organized, flexible, collaborative, motivated, fast learner, and accomplished team member as well as a motivated independent worker.

DEI Statement: Diversity is a core value of Short North Stage.  We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment for our staff, performers, and audiences. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions.

ADA: Short North Stage is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and in its productions, programs and activities.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel and issue hands to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work. Light to moderate lifting may be required. Regular, predictable attendance is required, including driving hours as work demands dictate.

Benefits Package

• Professional development dues (as approved)
• Laptop
• Complimentary Tickets
• Free parking
• 2 Weeks vacation + 10 PTO
• Flexible hours and creative work atmosphere
• Health Care Stipend

To Apply: Email cover letter and resume to [email protected] to be considered. No phone calls accepted.