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Development Director

Job Description

Position: Development Director for the Lyceum Theatre
Reporting: The Development Director reports directly to the Executive Director and collaborates closely with the Artistic Director.
Salary: $52k-$60+k commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Position Type: Full-time. This position is considered a hybrid job opportunity.
Application Deadline: Open until position is filled.

Send letter of interest and resume to pete@lyceumtheatre.org or mail to:
Lyceum Theatre
Pete Herber
Managing Director
PO Box 14
Arrow Rock, MO 65320

Overview:
The position of Development Director is to oversee and execute a fundraising strategy that supports the theatre’s mission and growth. The Development Director will lead all aspects of fundraising, including annual giving, corporate and foundation grants, government grants, and sponsorships. This key position will work closely with the Executive Director on a planned giving program and will have a significant role in cultivating relationships with donors, sponsors, and other community stakeholders. The Development Director works with the Special Events Committee to organize and execute fundraising events, ensuring successful outcomes that further the theatre’s financial goals.

Primary Responsibilities:

Fund Development Leadership:
● Develop and manage the theatre’s comprehensive fund development program, including the annual fund, foundation and corporate gifts, major gift campaigns, information management, and fiscal reporting.
● Develop and implement strategies to grow annual revenue, including writing proposals and securing funding from corporate and foundation donors.

Donor Acquisition & Retention:
● Lead efforts to acquire new donors through targeted prospecting and outreach campaigns.
● Manage individual donor campaigns, including annual giving and special appeals, ensuring the timely and efficient execution of solicitation and stewardship efforts.
● Focus on the retention of current donors by building lasting relationships and encouraging increased individual giving.
● Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, ensuring effective communication and engagement.
● Solicit businesses and individuals for production sponsorships, ensuring alignment with each donor and production.
● Partner with the Executive Director to further develop and market the theatre’s planned giving program aimed at ensuring the theatre’s long-term financial sustainability.

Relationship Building & Stewardship:
● Build and maintain strong relationships with current, new, and potential grant-giving organizations, businesses, and individuals.
● Develop personalized strategies for major donors and prospects, including stewardship, recognition, and cultivation plans.

Marketing & Communications:
● Ensure that donor-focused content is prominently featured in the theatre’s publications and on its website.
● Develop all donor-related materials for solicitation and stewardship, including proposals, thank you letters, and recognition content.

Donor Recognition & Benefits:
● Ensure that donor and sponsor benefits are tracked and delivered in a timely and accurate manner.
● Plan and execute strategies to publicly acknowledge and celebrate donor contributions, fostering a culture of appreciation.
● Oversee donor recognition events, including the annual season reveal event, to celebrate and engage supporters.

Donor Database & Information Management:
● Administer and maintain the Theatre’s donor database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date donor profiles.
● Track donor interactions, identify prospects, and coordinate with staff to issue email announcements, invitations, and acknowledgements as needed.

Event Management:
● Collaborate with the Special Events Committee in planning, coordinating, and executing annual fundraising events and trips.

Annual Fundraising Calendar:
● Create and execute an accurate annual fundraising calendar to ensure all donor outreach, campaigns, and events are effectively coordinated throughout the year.
● Ensure the fundraising calendar aligns with key performance milestones in the theatre’s strategic plans.

Community Engagement:
● Attend theatre performances to engage with current donors, meet prospective donors, and deepen relationships with the donor community.

Required Qualifications:

Education & Experience:
● Bachelor’s degree (preferably in a related field) or equivalent experience in nonprofit management or fundraising.
● Proven experience in relationship building.

Skills & Competencies:

● Strong strategic thinking and ability to develop and execute fundraising strategies.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling case statements and communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
● Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
● Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
● Ability to initiate donor visits and fundraising calls, actively cultivating relationships with current and potential donors.
● Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to engage with a diverse range of donors and sponsors.

Personal Attributes:

● Passion for the arts and a strong belief in the power of theatre to enrich the community.
● Ability to build and maintain long-term relationships.
● Professional demeanor with the ability to represent the theatre to a variety of audiences.
● Self-motivated, proactive, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications:

● Proven experience in fundraising, with a strong track record of success in managing annual giving programs, securing grants, and cultivating donor relationships.
● Demonstrated success at grant writing, special events, and major gifts fundraising.
● Skilled at managing a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors, and executing donor acquisition, retention, and stewardship plans.
● Prior experience in the arts, theatre and/or mid-Missouri fundraising.
● Experience managing budgets, financial reports, and fundraising data.
● Knowledge of fundraising tools, donor management software, and CRM systems.
● 3-5 years minimum experience in professional fundraising

Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.