Director of Development - Cleveland Play House

POSITION: Director of Development



REPORTS TO: Managing Director



DEPARTMENT: Development



STATUS: Full-time, Exempt



OVERVIEW:



Cleveland Play House (CPH), recipient of the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award, seeks an experienced, dynamic fundraising professional, with leadership experience and a keen creative focus on activating strategy and motivating teams. For over a century, the Cleveland Play House has carved a unique and beloved identity in the Greater Northeast Ohio community. With a new Managing Director and a soon to be selected Artistic Director, this is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to actively build a new chapter for CPH alongside the leadership team. Anchored by dedicated professional and board leadership, the Director of Development will have the support and guidance of a cohort of staff and volunteers by bringing creativity, experience, and innovation to the philanthropic activities of the organization.



ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:



A member of the leadership team and reporting to the Managing Director, the Director of Development is responsible for the leadership, direction, and operations of Cleveland Play House's fundraising initiatives. They will be responsible for planning, executing, and achieving both long and short term contributed income goals for CPH through the annual fund, corporate and foundation support, special events, and major gifts.



The Director of Development will be an enthusiastic spokesperson for CPH's mission, vision, and values for both internal and external constituents. They will work closely with the Board of Directors, the Managing and Artistic Directors, and staff to expand and deepen existing donor relationships while implementing creative approaches to expand the pool of Cleveland Play House's supporters. They will be instrumental in increasing organizational capacity and maintaining a collaborative, best practices department.



Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Serve as a thought partner with Managing Director, particularly as it relates to fundraising strategy and implementation.

Direct all fundraising activities on behalf of CPH. Oversee creation and execution of comprehensive plans for revenue streams including major, current, and deferred gifts, annual gifts, corporate gifts and grants, endowment, and foundation grants. Create and implement plans for promoting capital needs and other long-range funding activities.

Create and implement strategic fundraising plans to achieve short- and long-term goals, including increasing capacity. Regularly evaluate all activities based on feasibility and delivery on goals, and adjust efforts as necessary.

Develop and support a cohesive, high caliber team of 4-5 development professionals who work in partnership with leadership, board members, volunteers and donors.

Provide oversight for all donor relations (cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation), event planning, and donor communications.

Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and multi-year gift prospects. Develop personalized stewardship plans for principal gift donors, as well as strategies designed to realize current and lifetime giving potential. Facilitate focused efforts, ensuring future gift expectancies are properly documented.

Responsible for and maintain a growing portfolio of 50-75 major gift prospects that the Director may identify, cultivate, solicit and steward in an effort to build a sustained relationship with CPH.

Identify new sources of support for ongoing sustainability and future special projects.

Actively participate in and play a leadership role as appropriate at donor and patron events, opening nights, Board meetings, and community gatherings.

Serve as a warm and persuasive representative during externally focused CPH events and functions with prospective funding agencies and individuals, prospective vendors, and a range of constituencies within the greater Northeast Ohio community.

Establish and maintain strong relationships with Board members, donors, prospects, and other relevant stakeholder groups.

Advise, train, and motivate the Board, and manage the effective use of Board committees, in support of CPH's fundraising priorities.

In partnership with the Managing and Artistic Directors, Board leadership, and the Governance committee, support the identification and recruitment of future Board of Director members.

Work closely with the Director of Finance to regularly oversee, track, and project the development department's budget, including revenue projection and analysis.

Monitor and report on annual fundraising goals and annual expense budgets to staff leadership, the Executive and Finance Committees, and the Board of Directors.

Participate in organization-wide anti-racism work and incorporate an anti-racist lens into daily practice.

Establish and communicate SMART goals for staff and provide regular feedback, both informally and through performance evaluations in the interest of setting up individuals, the team, and CPH for success.

Collegially coordinate related activity with CPH departments (e.g., Education, Marketing, Artistic, and Creative Services) as well as CPH leadership in many matters including external advancement communications and materials.

Enhance professional growth and development through participation in continuing education courses, professional organizations, seminars and workshops, reading current literature and maintaining professional contacts in the community. Maintain a solid understanding of best practices to utilize and implement various media platforms and emerging technologies to raise funds.

Performs other functionally related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:



Bachelor's degree or five years progressively responsible experience as a development professional.

Successful track record in direct fundraising, managing campaigns, communications and working with volunteers. Knowledgeable about planned giving, major gift fundraising and event planning.

Must possess a broad institutional perspective, collaborative mindset, excellent writing, communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Demonstrated strategic insight with ability to analyze organizational issues and develop strategic plans, ability to adapt, affect change, and manage innovation.

Demonstrated record managing complex issues and projects simultaneously.

Ability to thrive in a deadline-oriented workplace and an evolving customer service-oriented environment.

Experience managing teams, staff hiring, mentoring and coaching, ability to motivate staff, foster teamwork, and ensure quality work.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfort with Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) platforms.

Understanding of anti-racism and anti-oppression principles and practices, and the ability to interact effectively with people of different races, cultures, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Ability to work nights and weekends for select fundraising moments, such as opening nights and fundraisers.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:



Advanced degree is preferred. In-depth experience in campaign management and fundraising is preferred. Five years of experience in theater development/fundraising and versed in the performing arts and arts education is preferred.



The salary is based on qualifications and experience with a range of $90,000-100,000. Benefits package includes: group health insurance to which CPH contributes a portion of the employee's premium, group dental and vision plans. Paid vacation, company and discretionary holidays as well as the opportunity to participate in a 401(K) plan. Parking is available at employee's cost.



Interested applicants should upload a cover letter and resume as one combined document and apply at https://clevelandplayhouse.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1006991. For additional information on Cleveland Play House, visit our website at www.clevelandplayhouse.com.



Cleveland Play House is on a journey to becoming an anti-racist organization that actively promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion.



Cleveland Play House is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.



**Employment in this position requires the clear result of a criminal background check and from time to time, during your employment, CPH may require you to obtain a new background check.




Salary: 90,000-100,000