Manager of Individual Giving & Special Events - Primary Stages

Primary Stages seeks a dynamic, energetic, and dedicated professional for the full-time position of Manager of Individual Giving & Special Events. Primary Stages currently operates on a $3 million operating budget with nearly 60% raised from philanthropic sources. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Manager of Individual Giving & Special Events is an active front-line fundraiser who meets regularly with Primary Stages donors and facilitates efforts to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects.



Since our founding in 1984, Primary Stages has endeavored to be a home for staff, artists, and audiences alike. A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is paramount to how we create an environment where our community can continually return and feel welcome. We also are collectively committed to a constant expansion and reimagining of who we are as an organization, how we work, and what we can become. We look forward to welcoming a new collaborator who will join us in our mission of being a radically welcoming home for inspiring, supporting, producing, and sharing the art of playwriting.



Major Responsibilities:

Manages, coordinates, and develops strategies to grow the Primary Partners patron program (donors of $250 - $5,000).

Ensures that appropriate steps are followed to secure donor renewals and advance donor upgrades through the pipeline.

Provides assistance to donors seeking to book tickets for our productions or special events.

Develops and implements strategies for securing program support from individuals.

Works with Communications Manager to create annual direct mail and online solicitation campaigns.

Works with Director of Development and outside consultants to produce Primary Stages Annual Gala for 200+ attendees.

Manages opening night events for all Primary Stages shows.

Coordinates Primary Partner appreciation nights and other donor cultivation events throughout the season.

With support from the Development Intern, oversees gift processing, acknowledgment letters, prospect research, etc.

Desirable Attributes and Interests:

An innovative administrator who can take initiative, be flexible, and work well independently and with a team.

At least 2 years of relevant development experience.

Proven track record of increasing contributions from individual donors.

Experience organizing and executing special events.

Proficiency in Google platforms, Word, and Excel, and experience in PatronManager or similar fundraising database.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Effective time management skills.

A collaborative spirit with excellent interpersonal skills.

Experience with NYC theater, Off-Broadway, and theater, in general, is preferred, but not required.

Bachelor’s Degree, Associate’s Degree, or commensurate experience.

Because we are working remotely for the foreseeable future, access to a reliable Internet connection and the ability to Zoom into meetings is a plus.

Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by date of hire.



Physical Ability:

Work is performed primarily in a home office environment and is mainly sedentary in nature. The job will include talking, sitting, hearing, and repetitive movements associated with keyboarding. Occasional evening and weekend hours to support productions and institutional events, which happen virtually and on-site in Manhattan, are required. Ability to lift and carry event materials as needed.



Primary Stages is an Off-Broadway not-for-profit theater company dedicated to inspiring, supporting, producing, and sharing the art of playwriting. Since our founding in 1984, we have produced more than 135 new plays and have garnered numerous awards and nominations. We have developed and produced work by A.R. Gurney, Theresa Rebeck, Kate Hamill, Billy Porter, Charles Busch, Tanya Saracho, Sharon Washington, Horton Foote (including the Tony-nominated Dividing the Estate), David Ives, Donald Margulies, Terrence McNally, and produced the original productions of In Transit (James Allen-Ford, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Russ Kaplan, and Sara Wordsworth), which transferred to Broadway in 2016, and Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter’s In the Continuum, which went on to tour the U.S., Africa, and Scotland.

Beyond our productions, Primary Stages supports playwrights and develops new works through commissions, workshops, readings, and our education, access, and training programs such as the Einhorn School of Performing Arts (ESPA), the Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group, the Echoes Writers Group, Creative Access Grants, Creative Development Grants, Teenwrights, our Free Student Matinee Program, the Internship Program, TixTeen, PS35, and the Primary Stages Off-Broadway Oral History Project.

Primary Stages ESPA is a school for emerging and established playwrights, actors, and directors. We offer classes in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, and our faculty is made up of professional artists working in the field. Our focus is on nurturing, advocating, and honoring emerging artists by providing them developmental opportunities, space to write and rehearse, and a family of collaborators. Since our inception 13 years ago, we have been a home to over 3,000 artists.



COMPENSATION:

This is a full-time, exempt position, with a salary of $58,500.



Benefits include:

Paid Vacation

Paid Personal Time

401k Plan Retirement Savings Account

Company Paid Health Insurance

This position will be working remotely for the foreseeable future. Candidates must be able to travel to Manhattan to greet donors at the theater and attend special events once we begin in-person productions in April 2022.



INFORMATION SESSIONS

Primary Stages Director of Development Erica Raven-Scorza and Executive Director Shane D. Hudson will host two virtual information sessions where prospective applicants can ask questions and learn more about this opportunity and Primary Stages before applying.



Thursday, January 20, 2022, 5:30pm to 6:30pm ET - https://zoom.us/j/95873442175

Monday, January 24, 2022, 1:00pm to 2:00pm ET - https://zoom.us/j/95288435211

Sessions will be hosted on Zoom. Please register in the links above to receive access information and email eraven@primarystages.org if you have any questions or issues accessing the registration link or Zoom room.



APPLICATION PROCESS AND START DATE:

The Manager of Individual Giving & Special Events position is available immediately. This search will be conducted by Erica Raven-Scorza and Shane D. Hudson. We will begin reviewing applications on January 25, 2022 and we will conduct two rounds of interviews and each interview session will be 30 to 60 minutes. Candidates may be asked to prepare work samples for review and discussion during select interviews. Erica will work with each candidate to determine the most appropriate samples or materials. Candidates will be given time to prepare these materials. Below is the intended interview and hiring schedule:



● Round 1: (Approx 6-8 candidates) January 31 to February 4

● Round 2: (Approx 2-3 candidates) February 7 to February 11



Erica or Shane will speak with the professional references of the final candidates from February 14 to February 18 and will aim to make an offer by Tuesday, February 22. The start date will be a day in March determined in good faith between the new hire and Primary Stages.



This process and timeline are intended to be a reference guide for applicants. However, our first priority is a thorough and thoughtful search process, and we will maintain flexibility if adjustments to this timeline are necessary. Please note that we will review and consider applications until the position is filled.



To apply, please send your resume and a letter that outlines your qualifications for the position, including relevant experience, to jobs@primarystages.org. Please put “Manager of Individual Giving & Special Events” in the email subject line.



Primary Stages is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, city, state, and federal law. Primary Stages does not discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment on account of race, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, citizenship, disability, or differences in abilities unrelated to job performance. We encourage those from groups that are under-represented in the theater field to apply for this position.


Salary: 58,500