Director of Advancement
Olney Theatre Center for the Arts (OTC) seeks an innovative, dynamic, collaborative, and enthusiastic advancement professional to join its senior leadership team and oversee the department during an exciting period of transition and growth, including the prioritization of plans and actions to focus on being an anti-racist organization. Reporting to the Managing Director, and working closely with the Artistic Director and Board of Directors, they will be responsible for raising more than $3.5M in annual support as well as work to further the progression of a $25M capital campaign, already underway. The Director of Advancement will manage a staff of four, provide mentorship to apprentices, and work inter-departmentally to lead fundraising activities.
A key member of the OTC leadership team, the qualified candidate will:
- Thrive in a collaborative, family-like organization;
- Demonstrate a commitment to transparency and openness;
- Exhibit a willingness to learn and improve personal cultural competency;
- Understand comprehensive fundraising strategies and campaigns, especially as they pertain to supporting theater and performance as agents of positive social change;
- Build relationships with donors and networks creatively and with an entrepreneurial spirit;
- Embody a team-player attitude;
- Lead the department and interface with a volunteer board of directors and multi-disciplinary staff and artists
The ideal candidate will have at least seven years of experience in fundraising or similar field, with at least two years in a managerial role. They will have a demonstrated record of securing high level gifts from individuals, institutions and government agencies, and planning for and leading successful campaigns. While a passion for the creative arts industry is a must, professional experience in an arts organization is preferred, but not required. Advanced knowledge of Tessitura, Raisers Edge or other similar CRM software (Customer Relationship Management) is strongly preferred.
Salary range $90,000-$100,000. Olney Theatre Center is an equal opportunity employer. Please go to olneytheatre.org to learn about our mission, vision, and values and our commitment to being an anti-racist organization.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: This position assumes responsibility for the following duties:
A. Department Leadership: Supervisory Responsibilities
- With the Managing Director, set strategy, build structures and execute plans for advancing the Theatre through contributed income by sustaining and growing the number of donors and building a pipeline of major donors;
- Demonstrate unwavering commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access
- Develop and implement annual and strategic goals for the Advancement Department, including department procedures and practices;
- Hire, supervise, mentor, and motivate Advancement staff, setting the tone for a high functioning and energetic department;
- Provide support to the Board of Directors;
- Create department budget and manage it responsibly, including implementing metrics for benchmarking;
- Ensure that systems and procedures to track cultivation and acknowledgements are effective, timely and responsive;
- As a member of the Senior Staff, provide organizational leadership and contribute to season and strategic planning processes;
- Represent Olney Theatre Center, as needed and participate in initiatives and events related to the Theatre’s mission
B. General Fundraising: Advancing the Mission
- Develop innovative ways of sharing OTC’s story and impact that strengthen and grow fundraising efforts and community connections;
- Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects;
- Develop the annual fundraising plan, including timeline, goals and related strategies;
- Work closely with the Managing Director, Artistic Director, Advancement team and Board of Directors to cultivate and solicit donors
- Help develop strategic partnerships as they relate to OTC’s mission, vision and values;
- In partnership with the Marketing Department, develop messages and initiatives to grow contributed support;
- Provide and monitor gift analysis, donor research and reporting;
- Work closely with the Finance Department to prepare financial reports and other information for tracking, analysis, and budgeting purposes; monitor and report on revenue and expense related to contributed giving
- In coordination with Deputy Directors:⇒Research and solicit support from national, regional and local funding sources, including government, corporations, foundations, and individuals;
- Work interdepartmentally to build support for key artistic, educational, and community engagement programs;
- Prepare solicitation materials, including proposals and briefing materials for Theatre Leadership;
- Develop strategies for gift recognition;
- Solicit major gifts individually and with others as appropriate;
- Oversee and coordinate the researching, writing and submission of grant proposals to obtain support and subsequent reporting;
- Maintain communication and positive working relations with funders, government agencies, donors, and volunteers;
- Contribute to institutional materials as needed, including annual reports, departmental reports and board updates
- Oversee planning and execution of fundraising events, including the annual gala and opening nights, and ensure an exceptional donor experience
C. Capital Campaign
- In coordination with the Managing Director, Artistic Director and Deputy Director for Major Gifts and Special Projects, advance the capital campaign toward its goal of $25M
- Work with campaign volunteers
- Develop donor recognition levels and opportunities
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Measurable success in nonprofit advancement, including meeting fundraising goals and building strong pipelines of support;
- Managerial experience in leading a strong team and setting a positive work environment;
- Ability to set strategic direction and execute such strategy effectively;
- Strong analytical skills and ability to leverage fundraising data as a tool (familiarity with Tessitura or similar CRM is preferred);
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (verbally and in writing) with a wide range of staff, donors, vendors, and other stakeholders;
- Positive, entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on, detail-oriented mentality;
- Strong interpersonal and writing skills;
- Ability to work interdepartmentally to leverage diverse talents of staff, board, artists and volunteers to meet contributed income goals;
- Previous experience with a capital campaign is preferred, but not required;
- Open-minded, willingness to learn, and a deep commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access
HOW TO APPLY
Please send resume and cover letter to Equity Through Action cmarie@equitythroughaction.com with the subject line: Olney Theatre Center Director of Advancement.
MISSION and VISION
Olney Theatre Center for the Arts produces and curates theatrical performance for the diverse audiences in our community, and educates, learns from, supports and inspires a more equitable generation of theater-makers. We strive to become an arts and culture powerhouse, redefining the American regional theater movement by harnessing and sharing the creativity of our community.
Olney Theatre Center is located just north of Washington, D.C. in arts-rich Montgomery County, Maryland. We offer a diverse array of professional productions year-round that enrich, nurture and challenge a broad range of artists, audiences and students. One of two state theaters of Maryland, Olney Theatre Center is situated on 14 acres in the heart of the beautiful Washington-Baltimore-Frederick "triangle," within easy access of all three cities. A professional, award-winning regional theater, Olney Theatre Center operates under an Actors' Equity Association Council of Stock Theaters (COST) contract, one of only four theaters in the country to operate under such a contract.
Applicants are encouraged to read our recent statement on Social Justice and Becoming Anti-Racist
