Director of Development - Paper Mill Playhouse

Essential Responsibilities



Organizational Leadership

Foster a culture of philanthropy that fully engages staff, board members, donors and other community members in a deep and meaningful way.

Act as an inspirational team leader to the Development Department, in order to recruit, retain, support, and guide a diverse team of development professionals who are engaged, active in relationship-building, and growing in their roles.

Serve as a member of the Paper Mill Playhouse senior leadership team, collaborating on high-level planning and decision making.

Understand and uplift Paper Mill’s values of equity, diversity, and inclusion as well as anti-racism practices, and ensure they are incorporated into the Development team’s operations.

Communicate across departments, and particularly with the Director of Marketing and Communications, about the Development Department’s upcoming projects, events, and goals.

Participate in and attend local and state advocacy and fundraising meetings, events, and roundtables, in order to represent Paper Mill Playhouse and maintain relationships within circles of which Paper Mill is a part.



Fundraising

Provide strategic and creative leadership in raising approximately $4.2M in annual contributed revenue through government grants, foundation support, corporate sponsorship, individual giving, and special events that meets the organization’s needs for all of its programming and aligns with PMP’s goals for the future.

Develop a strong and winning case for support each year, manifested in strategic, innovative fundraising plans, and executing those plans to grow fundraising and ideally, exceed goals for the annual fund and capital campaign.

Build new and bolster existing relationships with foundation and corporate partners, government agencies, donors at various levels, and current and prospective Board members.

Oversee and strengthen the work of the development staff members devoted to individual giving, who are developing and implementing a membership and stewardship program aimed at cultivating deeper relationships with donors that is up to date with current fundraising and audience engagement trends.

Join forces with the Director of Major Gifts to elevate Paper Mill Playhouse’s efforts to identify, cultivate, steward, and solicit a growing number of major gifts each year.

Partner with the Associate Director of Development to oversee the planning and execution of the annual gala; engaging the Gala Chair and the Board, PMP leadership, and the development team in a smooth operation that meets financial goals and generates community excitement.

In collaboration with the Executive Director and Campaign Chairs, act as a leader on the capital campaign effort and coordinate with capital campaign consultants, as the organization works to raise the second half of a $40M goal for building renovations and expansion.

Maintain, improve, and enforce all protocols and policies for development department operations, including fundraising communications, prospect research, moves management, and gift acknowledgments and processing.

Collaborate with the Executive Director and the Director of Finance to forecast contributed income levels, set strategic goals, and then evaluate progress toward achieving or adjusting those goals.

Contribute to building and sustaining a positive departmental culture that supports a commitment to team goals and core values, and that fosters the development of individual leadership, accountability, and continuous improvement in project management.

Oversee the Development Department’s budget.

Advise and collaborate with the Executive Director and Producing Artistic Director in their own efforts to cultivate donors and solicit major gifts for the organization.



Board Development

Act as a liaison to the Board of Trustees and a champion for efforts to continuously strengthen Board culture, aligning the evolution of the Board with the organization’s commitment to DEIA work.

Discuss with and motivate Trustees individually in terms of their committee participation, Gala commitment, and relationship to giving to the organization.

Identify and recruit potential trustees; strategize with the Committee on Trustees on the cultivation, recruitment, and onboarding processes for new Trustees.







Qualifications

Ten or more years of demonstrated success in development/philanthropy leadership, preferably in a cultural non-profit organization, with diversified experience in the following: individual giving, institutional giving, major gifts, annual fund/membership, planned giving, stewardship, development operations, and leadership in a major fundraising campaign.

A deep appreciation for theatre and the ability to convey that appreciation in an engaging and conversational manner.

Proven success in securing major gifts and building long-term relationships with high-level donors.

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with both external and internal community members.

Commitment to building and managing a healthy and strong team, dedicated to the mission of the organization and motivated to continuously improve upon their efforts.

Strong organizational and time management skills; with an ability to plan ahead, meet deadlines, and collaborate with fellow administrators, board members, and leadership.

Experience with donor management systems, preferably Tessitura, and an interest in other current and emerging technologies related to fundraising.

Knowledge of the New Jersey and tri-state philanthropic, social, and business communities.

Awareness of current trends in the field as well as legal and tax-related requirements related to charitable giving.

Understanding of the organizational budgeting process in order to set departmental goals and report on them throughout the year.

Excellent oral and written communications skills, including a proven track record with successful grant funding.

Experience producing large-scale donor events (galas, etc.) and engaging a Board in the success of those events.

Willingness and ability to attend evening and weekend performances, as well as to attend meetings and events offsite and outside the regular workday.



A Message from Tom O’Connor Consulting Group



Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that cis men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.



We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you're returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.



Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role.


Salary: $140,000-165,000