Oregon Children’s Theatre (OCT) seeks a seasoned professional to fill an immediate opening as Director of Development. Reporting to OCT’s Producing Artistic Director, this full-time position is responsible for planning, executing, and meeting the organization’s fundraising goals – approximately $1.3 million annually – in collaboration with OCT’s staff and board of directors.
The Director of Development creates and implements a strategic approach to fundraising which includes annual donor campaigns, major gift cultivation, corporate sponsorships, foundation and government grants, and fundraising/cultivation events. The position directly supervises an existing Associate Director of Development/Sr. Grant Writer and has the support of OCT’s Marketing team.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative leader with substantive fundraising experience. Successful candidates will have experience engaging board members in carrying out their responsibilities for fund development, building relationships with patrons, identifying new major donors, and securing support from a variety of sources. Experience in managing major individual donor campaigns will be especially valued. Exceptional organizational and communication skills are necessary. Experience in raising funds for arts and arts education would be helpful but is not a prerequisite. The position offers an opportunity to support Oregon Children’s Theatre’s relevant and powerful mission in a supportive and collaborative workplace.
QUALITIES NEEDED
In addition to having at least five years of experience in positions of responsibility involving nonprofit fundraising, the successful candidate will demonstrate the following qualities:
Creativity/Innovation: Ability to develop new and unique ways to advance OCT’s fundraising strategy and demonstrate leadership in guiding OCT’s fund development. This includes the ability to solve problems, generate alternative solutions, and make recommendations.
Organizational Skills and Initiative: Demonstrated experience in independently setting priorities, developing and maintaining a work schedule, monitoring and reporting progress, and tracking details, data, information, and activities. This includes the ability to keep others on track with assignments (including senior leaders and the OCT board of directors). The successful candidate will be a self-starter who is driven to achieve goals and ready to be held accountable for results.
Relationship-building: Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally. Instinctual ability to anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of donors and to meet or exceed their expectations. Particularly important will be the ability to work effectively with members of the OCT board (currently at 16 members). The successful candidate will be a true “people person.”
Communications: Exceptional ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Public speaking and meeting facilitation will be essential duties.
Teamwork: Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals and resolve problems.
Decision-making: Skill in assessing situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
Ethics: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and that of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the organization’s values.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility: Commitment to DEIA work and agrees that all people are welcome at OCT. Works towards partnering with likeminded organizations and funders and designs equitable donor benefits.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Planning fund development strategies, goals, and objectives:
Create/execute a fund development plan which increases revenues to support OCT’s vision. The contributed income goal for the current year is $1.3 million, representing over 1/3 of OCT’s operating budget.
Responsible for raising $300,000+ in individual gifts annually.
Monitor and evaluate all fundraising activities to ensure that the fundraising goals are achieved.
Monitor trends in the community or region and adapt fundraising strategies as necessary.
Implement the fund development plans in accordance with ethical fundraising principles.
Executing fund development activities:
Develop and manage timelines to ensure strategic plans and critical processes are done promptly.
In partnership with Marketing, build up OCT’s new Producer’s Circle monthly donor benefits program.
Responsible for entering and updating grant records in Patron Manager, OCT’s sales database software, throughout their lifetime.
Identify and develop new individual donor prospects and ensure that appropriate steps are taken to cultivate these relationships.
In partnership with the Producing Artistic Director, ensure that the board of directors is fully engaged, including collaborating on board recruitment, communications, meeting preparation and follow-up, and reporting.
Oversee and assist when needed in timely preparation of grant applications and reporting.
Directly manage an existing Associate Director of Development/Senior Grant Writer.
Oversee the planning and execution of special fundraising events, both major and minor.
Ensure that donors are promptly, appropriately, and frequently thanked and that OCT’s relationship with them continues to deepen.
Ensure that sponsorship agreements are fulfilled and that expectations are exceeded.
Oversee the administration of a donor mailing list and database and ensure the integrity and usefulness of patron data using OCT’s Patron Manager CRM.
Promoting OCT:
Build relationships with community stakeholders to advance the mission and fundraising goals of the organization.
Foster an understanding of philanthropy within OCT and ensure that the fundraising strategy is integrated with the rest of the organization’s work.
Develop a communication plan to promote OCT to donors and maximize public awareness of the organization (in coordination with OCT’s marketing director).
Coordinate the design, printing, and distribution of communication materials for development efforts.
Managing development staff and volunteers:
Oversee the work of the Development Team, through a collaborative approach that fully engages each team member.
Serve as primary support to the OCT board of directors to ensure it can carry out its governance and fundraising responsibilities effectively.
Engage volunteers for special fund development projects, including building a cadre of community supporters in partnership with Patron Services.
Managing development department budget:
Reach existing 23-24 season fundraising goals, totaling ~$1.3 million.
Develop and gain approval for an annual Development income and expenditure budget.
Prepare regular reports on progress, budgets, receipts and expenditures related to fundraising and the management of the fund development activities.
Monitor expenses and analyze budget reports on fund development and recommend changes as necessary.
Participating in organizational leadership:
Serve as a member of OCT’s Leadership Team, engaging in planning, policy development, and communications that reach beyond the position’s specific job duties.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Typical working hours are M-F from 9:00am until 5:00pm PST. May be required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays, and travel to performance and classroom locations.
Hybrid working schedule, with a minimum of 3 days/week in-person at OCT’s headquarters in NE Portland.
Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical accommodation possible for applicants with limited mobility.
All staff are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 according to CDC guidelines.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Full-time, exempt, year-round
$56,000 – $60,000 per year, depending on experience
Paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal leave
Employer-sponsored 403b, no employer match currently
Employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employee
Comp and discounted show tickets, and discounted Acting Academy class tuition
RECRUITMENT TIMELINE*
Job Posting closes: September 18, 2023
Invited Interviews: September-October 2023
Job Offer: October-November 2023
*Is approximate and subject to change.
ADVANCING INCLUSION
OCT believes communities are stronger when they are diverse, and we are committed to building a creative and dynamic workplace with that in mind. We are an equal opportunity employer and strive to promote equity in our hiring practices inclusive of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, class, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and disability status. We recognize that OCT has been historically staffed by predominately white and able-bodied people. We especially encourage applications from those who bring us new perspectives and lived experiences, candidates of traditionally underrepresented identities, and those who will advance our goals of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome requests for accommodation during the application or employment process.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
TO APPLY
Submit the following material by September 18, 2023 at the URL provided:
Cover letter summarizing your experience, interest, and qualifications for this position.
Resume/CV outlining your work history and other experiences and education that have prepared you for this work.
Location
541 NE 20th Ave, Portland, OR 97232