Director of Development

Northern Stage’s Director of Development leads Northern Stage’s fundraising efforts as part of an energetic and forward-thinking team. Northern Stage, in its 27th year of programming, is a dynamic LORT-D professional theater with a budget of $4 million in White River Junction, VT. The Theater is located near Dartmouth College at the crossroads of Vermont and New Hampshire and serves a passionate theater-going community with a mission “to change lives, one story at a time.”

The Director of Development will supervise two full-time development staff and will work closely with the Managing Director and Producing Artistic Director to raise $1.1+ million annually. Northern Stage is at an exciting juncture, having announced the public phase of an $8.5 million capital campaign in June 2024, with a total of $8.2 million raised to date.

The Director of Development reports to the Managing Director. Direct reports include the Assistant Director of Development and the Development Assistant. The Director of Development is a key member of the 7-member Leadership Team.

Northern Stage’s next Director of Development will be a creative problem solver, leading the fundraising efforts of our organization with professionalism and excitement. They will have a good sense of humor, a strong belief in the power of theater to change lives, and an attitude of flexibility in supporting a company that aspires to do great things. They will be resilient and able to overcome obstacles with the knowledge that Northern Stage can and must continue to thrive at a time when the theater industry has been deeply challenged.

The Director of Development’s primary responsibilities will be in the following areas:

Donor Relations and Development Communications 

• Oversee strategy and implementation plans for major donor qualification cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Maintain a portfolio of major donors and prospects with the capacity to make annual gifts of $5k+.
• Cultivate relationships with major donors, business leaders, foundations, and government agencies. 
• Draft major development communications, including annual fund letters, proposals, and other major solicitations.
• With Managing Director, manage grant writing efforts, including NEA and state-level grants, as well as private foundations. Manage reporting to foundation and government funders.
• With external consultant, continue to build planned giving initiative through newsletters, postcards, and email.

Board Relations

• Manage and inspire Board fundraising efforts. Serve as a staff lead for the Development Committee.

Departmental Leadership

• Lead and guide the development team, including conducting annual evaluations of the team members and regular departmental reviews of progress toward monthly and annual financial and engagement goals.
• Collaborate on solving institution-wide problems and issues with the Leadership Team.
• Oversee efficient internal department operations, including timely acknowledgment and processing of gifts, regular tracking of progress against budget (both income and expense), organization of internal systems and records management, consistent and comprehensive communications with donors (in coordination with the marketing department), and creating pledge agreements and other documents to secure gifts as needed. 

Events

• With Leadership Team, design and execute donor-focused engagement events surrounding public performances. Oversee planning and implementation of all donor and sponsor events.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 5 years experience and proven track record of securing major gifts.
• Expert knowledge in principles, practices, and procedures of charitable giving.
• Demonstrated ability for strategic thinking in the setting of goals and accompanying action plans.
• Strong planning, strategy, financial, budgeting, analytical, and communication skills -- both written and verbal.
• Desire and ability to establish and maintain meaningful relationships with a wide range of donors.
• High degree of initiative, excellent attention to detail, ability to work as a team and also lead.
• A passion for the cultural arts.
• The ability to work some evenings/weekends to attend NS performances and represent NS at events.
• Computer proficiency and ability to master fundraising CRM software, Google Suite, and Excel.

COMPENSATION: The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $115,000, commensurate with experience. Northern Stage offers a wide range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan, PTO and holidays, relocation assistance, complimentary and discounted tickets to performances, discounted classes and summer camps, flexible and hybrid scheduling, and being part of a creative, innovative, theater family. 

START DATE: Position open until filled.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit the following materials to Managing Director Jason Smoller via Submittable:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Two (2) development writing samples, including at least one direct appeal.
• Three (3) professional references, who will not be contacted without the approval of the candidate

All inquiries and materials will be confidential. Applications will not be acknowledged. 

We believe the most important and impactful art is made when we consider and commit to inclusion, diversity, equity and access both on and off of our stage. We highly encourage folks who are Black, Native or Indigenous, People of Color, Queer or Trans, Poor or Working Class, Disabled, Young, Elderly, and/or who speak English as a second language to apply. To learn more about Northern Stage, please visit our website: www.northernstage.org. 

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and 2 writing samples in PDF format to Managing Director Jason Smoller, via Submittable: https://northernstage.submittable.com/submit/318692/director-of-development