Director of Philanthropy- Long Wharf Theatre

The Director of Philanthropy (DOP) role is ideal for an innovative fundraising professional with a vision for an iterative model of philanthropy that supports and promotes social and economic justice. We are particularly interested in candidates who dream to revolutionize the way nonprofits think about fundraising and are looking for an organization to pilot their innovative strategies and tactics. This new organizational leader will be able to communicate their vision and strategy and catalyze change within and outside of the organization. Because Long Wharf strives to exemplify the power of theatre to strengthen communities, the incoming DOP will be energized by the opportunity to bolster and cultivate authentic, enduring relationships. The DOP will have a facility for speaking about LWT’s values alongside its artistic work and community and educational programs.

The ideal candidate will align with our philanthropic values:

Artistic Innovation - a leader who cares deeply about merging artistic collaborations with supporters in our community and beyond to engage through philanthropic endeavors.

Radical Inclusion - welcoming everyone to the theater, no matter their gift.

Revolutionary Partnerships - creating opportunities for new connections and relationships within the New Haven community, regionally, and nationally to fund our work.

The Director of Philanthropy will be a key senior team leader in partnership with Jacob (Artistic Director) and Kit (Managing Director), providing a values-aligned fundraising perspective in all aspects of the theatre’s current operations and future planning. The DOP will be a key strategic partner, helping to shape the organization’s future as a theatre rooted in its community. In this role, the DOP will plan and execute fundraising and advancement strategies and build relationships with supporters, connecting them with Long Wharf Theatre’s artistic, educational, and operational funding possibilities. Radical inclusion and anti-racism will underpin all of the DOP’s work with all of LWT’s constituents, internal and external.

Areas of Accountability

Develop and implement philanthropic engagement strategies for LWT’s financial, artistic, and operational efforts that align with their values of radical inclusion and anti-racism:
Reimagine how Long Wharf Theatre communicates its story in the philanthropic community.
Organize, direct, and participate in building strategies to engage new and returning individual and major gift supporters.

Supervise LWT’s applications for institutional funding: corporate, foundation, and government grants and sponsorships, and more.
Generate new efforts and enhance existing ones to activate the Managing and Artistic Directors, other Development staff members, and/or trustees in fundraising strategies .

Cultivate new relationships
Scout for and supervise research of prospective patrons (individuals, foundations, corporations, government agencies and officials, and any potential “outside of the box” revenue sources).
Strategize around the search, development, and maintenance of new synergistic community relationships with the specific goal of increasing philanthropic investment over time.
Build upon our continued local business investment including local sourcing of materials - lumber, fabric, equipment - and many food and beverage items in our concessions.

Maintain relationships with current donors through active stewardship
Oversee the maintenance and creation of patron benefits programs and stewardship events.
Ensure the fulfillment of obligations imposed by corporate, foundation, and government grants.

Exercise a leadership role both internally and externally
Serve as liaison between donors and the artistic process to communicate progress of productions and artistic endeavors.
Work in close partnership with the Director of Marketing and Communications and the marketing team to grow the patron and donor base through a coordinated membership model.
Report regularly to the AD, MD, and Board on fundraising results and projections.
Serve as an ambassador for Long Wharf Theatre locally, regionally, and nationally.
Lead and participate in a capital campaign as applicable,

Organize and lead trustees and other volunteers in fundraising and ambassador roles.
Support various board committees as requested by the MD.
Lead and collaborate on special events, including Long Wharf’s annual Gala.
Develop and manage the department’s income and expense budget.

Operations
Supervise and develop the department’s staff, currently composed of an institutional gifts consultant and development operations manager.
Supervise the implementation of gifts solicitation strategy including: individual gifts, gifts of larger amounts (over $1,000), direct mail, telefunding campaigns, or community events .
Supervise and maintain the donor database and patron information files.
Participate in leadership team and other internal meetings, as necessary.

How much are we paying and what are the perks?
Salary Range: $100,000-$115,000

Benefits Package: paid time off, health insurance, dental insurance, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance.

Requirements

What are the expectations?
Upholding principles of radical inclusion and anti-racism
Authentically engaging, listening and enhancing the workplace for everyone, regardless of race, gender or identity
Meeting or exceeding mutually agreed upon financial targets (both number of donors and total dollars raised)
Understanding and executing the position’s Areas of Accountability
Incorporating institutional artistic and financial goals within the philanthropic strategy
Motivating and encouraging board of directors and direct reports
Demonstrating mastery of Spektrix, Wealth Engine and other fundraising tools
Ensuring Development policies are adhered to
Maintaining LWT constituents’ confidentiality

Essential Skills
A love of theatre and fundraising and a passion for the development of strong relationships connecting the two
A strong analysis around issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and antiracism
Successful track record in achieving fundraising goals and cultivating meaningful relationships with supporters
Demonstrated ability to think strategically
Proven collaborative management, supervisory and leadership capabilities
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and persuasively to a variety of diverse stakeholder groups (written and verbal)
Enjoyment in taking initiative; excitement about new challenges
Established ability to handle sensitive and confidential data in a trustworthy manner
Discretion and composure, especially under pressure
Ability to establish priorities and manage numerous projects at one time
Experience working with donor management software; expertise in MS Word and Excel
Interest in and ability to learn new software
Ability to work nights and weekends as necessary
Minimum five years fundraising experience
Prior experience in live theatre and performing arts preferred