Director of Development

Job Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the senior leadership team, the Director of Development (DOD) is responsible for creating and implementing the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University’s fundraising strategy and leading a comprehensive development program that ranges from membership levels to 8-figure capital gifts. The DOD is a key thought partner to the Artistic Director, Executive Director, Board Chair, and committee chairs of the boards for fundraising and organization-wide philanthropic strategy.

A.R.T. is poised to raise unprecedented funding support to serve the A.R.T.’s mission to expand the boundaries of theater, while enhancing the cultural climate of the community, and creating a model for American theaters. The DOD will partner strategically with the Harvard University Development Office (UDO) to steward University and alumni donor relationships and promote A.R.T.’s interests. With this visibility and energy, the DOD will create and manage a department that is designed to capitalize on an evolving model of arts philanthropy and creative practice.

The development team is charged with increasing annual contributed support beyond $5.5 million to meet operational needs and leading a $300 million+ capital campaign for a new building on Harvard’s campus in Allston which will be the future home of the A.R.T. The DOD will conceptualize and manage all aspects of the philanthropic portfolio including individual giving, institutional giving, major gifts, annual funds and membership, planned giving, stewardship and solicitation, development operations, board recruitment, volunteer management and campaign planning. The DOD will lead and supervise the Development team in consistent collaboration with the senior Artistic team to generate fundraising support for all programming, including aspirational strategic initiatives.

The DOD will promote an inclusive and safe work environment by fostering a culture of community, anti-racism, equity, diversity, inclusion, trust, and respect.

Position Description

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops and implements solicitation strategies for high-capacity donors and funders while working with staff and other University partners to support a comprehensive, multi-phased development effort. The DOD, personally and with its key stakeholders, identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards annual and major gifts from individual and institutional donors at the level of six to seven figures and greater.
• Has direct budgetary and financial responsibilities and is expected to set and meet annual contributed revenue targets.
• Identifies events and opportunities to support fundraising goals, including the annual gala, national and international travel opportunities, and other engagements. Continually evaluates outcomes of programs with objective of using human and financial resources effectively.
• Partners strategically with campaign-focused volunteers of the Board, dedicated A.R.T. capital campaign staff, and UDO to successfully complete an ambitious capital campaign raise.
• Works with the A.R.T. finance office, University Office of General Counsel and Development Office to ensure the department follows all gift policies.
• Responsible for fostering a relationship between the A.R.T.’s leadership and its key donors and volunteers. This position maintains a top prospect list for the A.R.T. and a pipeline for the A.R.T. executive and board leadership’s travel and visits, appropriately preparing relevant briefings and then ensuring completion of next steps.
• Identifies and recruits new board members (approximately 40 members), educate and engage board members in advancing a culture of prioritized philanthropy, cultivate and solicit board members for ongoing financial support, and leverage board members’ respective networks to expand the donor base and support of the A.R.T.
• Maintains an active schedule of in-person and phone/zoom check-ins with all board members throughout the year.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. 10+ year of experience in nonprofit fundraising with increasing responsibility in managing a professional team and execution of the overall strategy.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrated success in change management and in setting and exceeding philanthropic goals.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion; culturally competent with respect to issues such as racial, cultural, religious, sexual, and gender identity.
• Demonstrated experience cultivating, training, building relationships with, and working in collaboration with executives, senior staff, and volunteer leaders on development-related activities.
• Broad knowledge of all functional areas comprising a multi-faceted, comprehensive development program (e.g., individual, institutional, major, planned, digital, and annual giving; special events; donor communications; stewardship; operations).
• Knowledge of and fundamental adherence to the principles, ethics, and best practices of modern fundraising.
• Experience managing budgets and revenue forecasts.

Additional Information

We request applications, be submitted before 8/15/23. Applications received after this date may not receive priority in the selection process