Director of Donor Engagement

WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Director of Donor Engagement is responsible for the attainment of the organization’s annual contributed income goal. This person will establish the annual fund goal in collaboration with the Executive Director and will design and execute the strategies and programs leading to its achievement.

The Director of Donor Engagement will build on a strong foundation of support that was developed during the course of a successful capital campaign, and on the fundraising structures and relationships established by our departing director. Now, the time has come to create a robust annual fund campaign that will meet The Reser’s needs for ongoing support of its activities and programs. While The Reser enjoys significant startup funding from both public and private sources, the Director of Donor Engagement will seize this opportunity to build a first-class fund development program that can fulfill our short-term needs and build steadily toward a future of broad-based, stable, and increasing support. This is a unique opportunity for a talented development professional to create a comprehensive fundraising program that will harness the community enthusiasm generated by the opening of this beautiful new arts facility, and work with a team of committed colleagues to fully realize its promise.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Develop and execute fundraising strategies for the achievement of individual, foundation, and corporate goals
• Work with trustees and others to identify prospects
• Cultivate relationships with donors and potential donors
• Manage Board giving programs
• Coordinate prospect contacts with the Executive Director and members of the Board of Trustees
• Facilitate and/or personally conduct donor gift solicitation
• Supervise grant applications, sponsorship proposals, and the Membership Program
• Manage the fulfillment of donor, member, and sponsor benefits
• Plan and execute donor recognition events, VIP opportunities, and other special events
• Manage the development of an Annual Community Impact Report
• Manage Fundraising Operations, including:
• Maintain the accuracy and currency of the Donor Relationship Management System (Tessitura)
• Track pledges and pledge fulfillment
• Ensure that all gifts are properly recorded
• Ensure that thank-you notes, tax receipts, and gift or pledge acknowledgments are sent in a timely manner

PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS
The Director of Donor Engagement will report to the Executive Director and supervise the Donor Engagement Manager. Other important relationships will include members of the Board of Trustees, the Donor Engagement Committee, colleagues in Finance & Administration, Programming, Marketing & Patron Services, and Production. Significant external relationships will include individual, corporate, and foundation donors.

Requirements

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED

• A record of success as a fundraising officer with independent responsibilities for defined goals
• Mastery of fundraising strategies and techniques
• Hands-on experience with donor management software, preferably Tessitura
• Excellent communication skills; the ability to speak and write clearly and persuasively
• Both the self-confidence and the humility to engage comfortably with people at every level
• Mature interpersonal skills; a talent for diplomacy; a builder of respectful and collaborative professional relationships; a well-developed ability to inspire confidence in others
• Cultural competence: a nuanced awareness, appreciation, and familiarity with diverse cultures and traditions
• A commitment to promoting access, inclusion, and equity
• An aptitude for organization and clarity
• Outstanding planning and time management skills
• The ability to set effective priorities and manage outcomes
• The ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidential information

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A deep, personal passion for the performing arts
• Annual fund leadership experience in a nonprofit performing arts organization
• Experience with sponsorship and membership programs
• Experience as a leader/member in a high-functioning, mission-driven team of professionals

WORKING ENVIRONMENT - ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Most of the responsibilities of this position are performed in a traditional office setting and do not typically involve equipment that poses a threat of injury. However, meetings may be held in a variety of locations, both onsite and in remote locations, and may involve donor tours of the facility onstage, backstage, and in low light environments. Both safety and the successful completion of duties rely on the following physical abilities: Sufficient (corrected or uncorrected) vision to read text of various sizes and perceive colors and shapes accurately. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing to communicate effectively in person and on a telephone, to hear sounds within the normal range of conversation and in the context of crowd noise. Sufficient manual dexterity to operate office equipment. Sufficient personal mobility, strength, and reflexes to perform light work and to reach, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and lift as much as 25 pounds.
The physical abilities required for this position may be flexible and we encourage those who may require accommodation to apply.