Director of Development

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Reports To: Executive Director
Supervises: Development Staff

Position Description Overview
The Director of Development (DOD) is responsible for leading all fundraising activities across the organization, including strategy, implementation, stewardship, results measurement, and evaluation. The DOD will work closely with the Executive Director, Managing Director, Board of Directors, and staff on setting the long-term fundraising and key partnership goals in alignment with AAI’s mission as a culturally specific, community arts organization that amplifies the voices of LGBTQ and BIPOC communities.

In addition to maintaining a strong base of grant support, the DOD will have a particular focus on expanding individual giving at all levels, securing major gifts, managing campaigns, and establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships alongside the ED. They will directly supervise Development staff team members and manage relationships with consultants, contractors, and volunteers as relevant to development and partnership efforts.

As a senior management level position reporting directly to the Executive Director, the DOD manages the Development Team to facilitate the smooth functioning of development initiatives and workflows, including database management, information and document organization systems, and special event and campaign planning.

Key Responsibilities

General Administration:

• Develop, implement, maintain, and monitor development systems, procedures, and protocols.
• Understand the workings of each department and the larger organization. Coordinate between departments and ensure duties are balanced appropriately and thoughtfully.
• Draft and execute an annual personal Professional Development Action Plan (PDAP).

Development:

• Oversee, sustain, and increase contributed revenue through a robust fundraising effort focused on the cultivation of support from individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government sources.
• Building and maintaining relationships with current and prospective individual donors to encourage and grow ongoing financial support.
• Create and implement strategic plans to secure the support of individual donors and prospects across different giving levels, from annual funds to major gifts.
• Planning, coordinating, and executing fundraising campaigns, annual benefits, donor cultivation events, and other programs.
• Supervise the research and evaluate general and special funding opportunities.
• Prioritize funding opportunities that center marginalized communities, minimize or eliminate barriers, and promote accessibility.
• Oversee grant writing in collaboration with ED and key contributors.
• Manage all fundraising campaigns, cultivate relationships with existing and prospective funders, and maintain an active and healthy prospect pipeline.
• Develop and manage Board-level fundraising committees.
• Build strong strategic relationships and partnerships with appropriate cultural and civic organizations, government officials, and community leaders, including participation in high-profile community activities, speaking engagements, appointments, and
• Board representation, and social events.
• Work interdepartmentally to identify funding opportunities and deficits.
• Set the agenda for and lead weekly Development meetings.

Partnerships:

• Identify strategic growth opportunities by leveraging relationships with existing and prospective donors, funders, and institutional partners.
• Work with the Managing Director to develop scalable intermediary offerings for fiscal sponsorship and regranting partnerships.
• Share management of strategic partnerships in concert with Director of Programs and Managing Director.
• Maintain information systems such as databases (Salesforce), management matrices, and calendars, on important ongoing partnerships and opportunities.

Finance:

• Manage the annual fundraising budget through supervised coordination with the Development team and other staff.
• Work with Finance to establish clear reporting methodologies in compliance with funder requirements.
• Maintain a contributed income tracker and prepare forecast reports as needed.
• Prepare grant budgets for bookkeeping entry.

Staff Supervision:

• Hold space for weekly check-ins with direct report(s).
• Work with direct report(s) to draft and execute their individual annual personal Professional Development Action Plans (PDAP).
• Approve Development Team time off requests and identify alternative support in their absence.
• Submit time reporting and approvals.

General:

• Support the Executive Director and Managing Director in various aspects of broad organizational initiatives, including strategic planning, community partnerships and engagement, board development, and professional development.
• Assist with special projects, AAI programming/events, and other operational tasks, as assigned, to support various departments within the organization.
• Support the overall functioning of the organization by actively participating in and leading team meetings and contributing to process improvement initiatives.
• Positive attitude and willing participation in a small team dynamic.
• Willingness to work outside of main responsibilities and serve as an organizational ambassador as advised by the Executive Director and Managing Director.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational abilities and attention to detail to manage donor and funder data, fundraising campaigns, and reporting.
• Analytical Skills: The capacity to analyze data, identify trends, and make informed recommendations for fundraising strategies.
• Fundraising Experience: At least 7 years of professional fundraising that includes donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Technical Proficiency: Comfort with using computers, software, and development databases to manage donor information.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement effective short-, medium-, and long-term fundraising plans; flexible and versatile in approach to meet shifting priorities and/or circumstances
• Intelligence: High emotional intelligence, diplomacy, tact, poise, and deep knowledge of Philadelphia’s artistic and cultural community
• Relationship-Building: Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with donors, partners, and institutions
• Communication: Excellent writing, verbal, listening communication skills.
• Self-Motivation: Ability to work independently and exercise initiative and a positive attitude in a small, nimble team environment, where creativity, experimentation, and innovation are encouraged.

Hours and Compensation
This is a full-time permanent exempt salary position at approximately 40 hours/week. Some evening and weekend hours will be required. The salary is $90,000 annually and eligible for AAI’s fully employer-funded medical, vision, and dental group plan, hybrid work model, and unlimited PTO policy.

Organizational Overview
Asian Arts Initiative is a multi-disciplinary and community-based arts center in Philadelphia that advances racial equity and understanding, activating artists, youth, and their communities through creative practice and dialogue grounded in the diverse Asian American experience. Through exhibitions, performances, and community projects, we provide an inclusive gathering place for conversation and exchange of ideas. Our community-based arts initiatives seek out and cultivate innovative models for artists to engage with local communities, with a particular emphasis on working in partnership with our immediate neighborhood. Our primary programs include: 1) Artist residencies, commissions, and presenting of performances and exhibitions for artists to develop professionally and to create socially relevant artwork reflecting community experiences; 2) Year-round out-of-school-time programming for middle school youth, offering creative development and a safe place; 3) Participatory curatorial practices and various community development initiatives in our immediate neighborhood of Chinatown North/Callowhill.

Application Instructions

To apply please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@asianartsinitiative.org