Director of Development
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

Posted: March 27, 2022
Type: Full-time, permanent, exempt
Reports to: Producing Executive Director (CEO)
Work Location: Downtown Baltimore; remote work possible 1–2 days/week
Schedule: Business hours with some evenings and weekends
Start Date: Immediate

About Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

The leading classical theatre company in Maryland, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is preparing to celebrate our 20th-anniversary season as well as our ninth year in our historic, award-winning theatre in Downtown Baltimore. CSC now serves over 32,000 patrons and students annually through indoor and outdoor mainstage performances, an extensive education program, and other community outreach. The Company’s operating budget is over $2 million; contributed income represents roughly 50% of total revenue.

Job Description

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is now seeking a Director of Development to take a leading role in our mission of “blowing the dust off of Shakespeare,” enhancing arts education throughout the region, and anchoring the redevelopment and cultural renaissance of our city’s downtown heart. The successful candidate will design and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan for Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, incorporating annual giving, grant solicitation and management, special events, and capital initiatives. The Director of Development is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts from individual donors, foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners in order to meet our current contributed income goal of $1 million per year. The Director of Development is supported by a staff of two, including an Institutional Giving Manager and a Development Assistant, with some staff expansion likely within the next two years. The new Director will be expected to maintain our current portfolio of individual, corporate, institutional funders and to deepen and expand our base of support as our community continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising (65%)

• Drive growth in contributed income from individual donors (including board members) and corporate partners by identifying connections and cultivating new and existing relationships
• Coordinate all communication with current and prospective donors to ensure positive and purposeful relationships
• Plan and coordinate production of the Company’s annual appeal and other fundraising campaigns
• Prepare and/or supervise preparation of all donor correspondence, including letters of inquiry, proposals, presentations, reports, acknowledgements, and other materials
• Develop and oversee the implementation of donor benefit programs
• Together with the Producing Executive Director, lead government outreach/advocacy and solicitation of public funding
• With the support of a gala committee and other staff, plan and coordinate gala (not annual) and other fundraising events
• Together with the Producing Executive Director, strategize and lead any future capital campaigns

Planning (20%)

• Prepare contributed income projections for annual budget, setting revenue goals for each fundraising area based on prior years, current environment, and benchmarking data
• Track and report on the progress of all fundraising programs throughout the year, providing a comprehensive review and analysis of results at fiscal year-end
• As a member of the Company’s senior staff, provide organizational leadership and contribute to artistic season and strategic planning processes

Management (15%)

• Hire, supervise, and evaluate development staff
• As necessary, hire and supervise external fundraising consultants
• Oversee maintenance of donor files and donor-management system, ensuring that all records are complete and up to date
• Coordinate and support activities of the development committee of the Board of Trustees
• Work with the entire staff to manifest CSC’s Equity, Access, and Inclusion plan

Qualifications

• Minimum of three to five years of fundraising leadership with a track record of identifying, cultivating, securing, and stewarding gifts from mid- to high-level donors
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including the ability to effectively articulate the Company’s mission, values, and work to a broad range of potential stakeholders
• Outstanding interpersonal skills reflecting the ability to work effectively with people of all backgrounds and in a team environment and to represent CSC in a professional manner
• Knowledge of and experience with donor-management/CRM systems (PatronManager/Salesforce a plus) and ability to analyze and use fundraising data
• Strong strategic and organizational skills, including the ability to set clear priorities aligned with overall organizational objectives
• Bachelor’s degree
• Sense of humor

Where qualifications are described in terms of formal education or training, prior experience in a related field, as determined by CSC, may alternatively be considered. We also welcome applicants with strong comparable organization and management experience in other fields who are interested in moving into a career in development.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary starting at $65,000, or commensurate with qualifications and experience
• Paid health insurance for employee
• Paid short- and long-term disability insurance
• Paid parking
• Generous paid time off, including paid holidays, three weeks of flexible paid leave, and paid leave the last week of December (Christmas through New Year’s Day)
• The opportunity to work in a lively, laid-back office with passionate and friendly colleagues who are committed to making Shakespeare fun and Baltimore better
• Application Instructions

Submit resume and cover letter discussing background, qualifications, and interest in the position to [email protected]. Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Persons from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about CSC, please visit https://www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com. No phone calls, please.