Development Associate

Development Associate
Overview
The Lyric Stage Company of Boston seeks a Development Associate. The Lyric Stage is one of Boston’s premiere cultural assets. We are seeking a candidate who understands how to attract, build, and retain communities that philanthropically support live theatre and theatre-based education.

About the position
The Development Associate will energetically and joyfully join the Lyric Stage’s eight-person full-time staff. They will collaborate with the Executive Director on strategies to build and sustain the Lyric Stage’s contributed revenue.

About the Lyric Stage Company of Boston
Founded in 1974, the non-profit Lyric Stage is Boston’s oldest resident theatre company. Its mission is to produce and present live theatre in Greater Boston with an intimate approach that promotes inclusivity and connection. The Lyric Stage leads an effort to integrate live theater and theater education into the lives of all residents of greater Boston.

Prior to the pandemic, over 100,000 people annually attended Lyric Stage shows or participated in its education programs at the Boston Childrens’ Museum and multiple Boston Public Schools. During its history, the Lyric Stage has won multiple awards, co-produced the first full production of the Front Porch Arts Collective, established Fresh Ink Theatre as its new play development partner, and won praise for its inclusive casting.

During the pandemic, the Lyric Stage has maintained its service to the City of Boston by commissioning work from seven playwrights, including six for the Walking Plays, a series of audio plays set in public outdoor spaces in Boston; launching Lyric First Page, a youth playwriting festival; and regular installments of Lyric To-Go, which connects audiences with artists.

The details
Hours: Full-time position; The standard schedule for the Lyric Stage is Monday through Friday, from 10am to 6pm, but each employee has discretion in setting their own schedule, recognizing that as a live theatre company, working nights and weekends is often required. Currently, the work of the Lyric Stage is predominantly done remotely, with an expectation of returning to an in-person office environment some time before the fall of 2021. Some flexibility of working occasionally from home will remain a part of the working culture.

Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: Work study students from Emerson College.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS:
The Development Associate will take ownership of the development segment of the Lyric Stage’s patron database. They will train box office and hire and train work study students to enter gifts with attention to detail and to ensure data accuracy. They will ensure timely and accurate acknowledgement letters, suggesting specific personalization from the Artistic or Executive Director, as appropriate. They will maintain appropriate records for the company’s annual audit. They will ensure that program listings in program books or other publications are accurate and up to date.

The Development Associate will collaboratively and creatively strategize with the Board’s Development Committee to offer more sophisticated giving vehicles, including planned giving, and legacy or endowment gifts. The Development Associate will collaborate with the Digital Marketing Associate to create digital fundraising appeals and to utilize technology to create new opportunities to give.

The Development Associate will provide timely reports to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors, and will collaborate with the Executive Director on setting reasonable fundraising goals for the annual budget.

INDIVIDUAL GIVING
The Development Associate will serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors Development Committee and to the Advisory Council. The Development Associate will give occasional guidance to the Board’s Nominating Committee, as needed.

The Development Associate will coordinate a portfolio of major donors, assigning cultivation tasks to the Executive and Artistic Directors, and implementing show sponsorship opportunities and benefit fulfillment. They will initiate annual appeal letters, creating mailing lists and customizing suggested donation asks with subscription renewals, as well as other targeted appeals as is strategically useful. The Development Associate will have a goal that all donors are thanked above and beyond their expectations.

The Development Associate will collaborate with the Artistic and Executive Directors on identifying existing donors who should be cultivated as major donor prospects, and strategize on new ways to identify new donors to the Lyric Stage.

While there is no annual fundraising event, the Development Associate will likely organize and implement several cultivation events throughout the year. The Development Associate will work with the Board and the Advisory Council to begin planning a celebration for the Lyric Stage’s 50th anniversary in 2024.

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING
The Development Associate will act as project manager for gifts from foundations and corporations, which is generally project-based, and often is the primary mode of support for existing educational and community programs including City Stage, KidStage, Community Membership Initiative, the Walking Plays, Lyric First Curtain, and Lyric First Page. The Development Associate will identify prospects, assign writing, and ensure timely submission of applications and reports to foundation and corporate donors.

The Development Associate will act as the primary point of contact for state and local arts funding, including submission of required reporting.

Additional duties, as required.

Salary and benefits
In addition to a starting salary of $45,000, the Lyric Stage offers two weeks paid vacation, pays 60% of the employee’s individual health care plan, and participates in an employee retirement plan with up to 3% of contributions matched.

Requirements

Qualifications
The successful candidate will:

Embrace the Lyric Stage’s Anti-Racism and Inclusion Plan, treating all individuals with care and respect, regardless of capacity to donate money.

Bring at least two years previous experience in arts-related development, and at least three years of increasing responsibility in an art-related non-profit organization.

Demonstrate experience in successful digital fundraising campaigns.
Must be able to develop relationships with multiple stakeholders, subscribers, board and advisory council members, foundation and corporate officers.

Demonstrate strong writing skills, a good visual eye, willingness to be a team player, strategic thinking, strong organizational skills, and the ability to take initiative.

Represent our values and code of conduct, and create positive respectful experiences for others.