Development Officer

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Development Officer to advance our mission by cultivating and stewarding a portfolio of high-capacity individual donors. This full-time benefits-eligible position is ideal for a candidate with strong fundraising skills, outstanding communication ability, proven success in relationship management and project execution, and who has the ability to positively contribute to an anti-racist organization and dismantle structural racism in philanthropic activities.

CTC is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and justice in our organization and our community, and thus we seek a broad spectrum of employees. We strongly encourage and welcome applicants who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color, as well as those who are from other underrepresented communities.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Led by Artistic Director Rick Dildine and Managing Director Ryan French, Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the nation’s leading theatre for multigenerational audiences and is one of the 25 largest producing theatres in the United States. A winner of the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, CTC creates extraordinary theatre experiences that educate, challenge and inspire young people. It has set standards of excellence in the quality of its productions, commitment to new work, and innovative education and community partnerships.

DESCRIPTION OF MINNEAPOLIS AND THE TWIN CITIES METRO AREA

Minneapolis and the Twin Cities area has a thriving and vibrant arts scene. The Twin Cities metro area is one of the largest theatre markets in the country, with over 150 theatres. Minnesota year in and year out ranks near the top nationwide in federal and state arts funding and has a strong history of private arts philanthropy.

The Twin Cities area is the second largest economic center in the Midwest and is annually ranked as a top area in terms of quality of life. It is home to several restaurants and chefs who are James Beard nominees or winners. The Minneapolis parks system has been called the best-designed, best-financed and best-maintained in America.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

CTC is dedicated to increasing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs and in all of our hiring for staff, artists, and recruiting of board members. CTC is committed to a future where our theatre is a home for all people, all families, and is truly reflective of our community. We are also committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination. CTC prohibits discrimination in employment against any employee or job applicant because of that person’s race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local human rights commission or any other legally protected status.

POSITION SUMMARY

As a member of the Development team, the Development Officer helps to generate $5 million in total annual contributed revenue to support CTC’s mission and initiatives. This position manages CTC’s Luminary Circle (gifts of $2,000+), and focuses on retaining, nurturing, and growing high-capacity relationships for CTC. The Development Officer is responsible for expanding CTC’s base of support by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of individual prospects and donors giving $2,000+ annually. Working closely with Development colleagues and executive leadership, this role supports an expanding individual giving program through strategic fundraising initiatives, thoughtful portfolio management, and exemplary stewardship and service.

This position reports to the Associate Director of Development, Individual Giving.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Portfolio and Relationship Management (75%)

• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward an assigned portfolio of over 100 individual donors, with a specific focus on donors and prospects with the capacity to give $2,000+ annually as members of the Luminary Circle

o Engage regularly with donors by phone, mail, email, and in person to cultivate and deepen relationships with CTC, meeting or exceeding annual communications goals

o Connect personally with donors at events, meetings, and CTC performances

o In collaboration with Development colleagues, create and deploy bespoke cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship materials to inspire and retain donor investment

o Collaborate with CTC program managers and other colleagues for effective involvement in donor interactions and to develop understanding of potential areas for donor support

• Work in partnership with other members of the Development team, executive leadership, and external counsel to build a strong pipeline of engaged, high-capacity individual donors

o Establish and manage a donor prospecting protocol, leveraging internal database resources and external research tools

o Promote the Luminary Circle and planned giving opportunities, supporting donors’ advancement through the philanthropic pipeline

• Maintain detailed and informative donor records

o Accurately and efficiently document portfolio engagement in Tessitura, including writing timely contact reports for all donor interactions

o Maintain a moves management plan for donors, including specific goals around long-term, lapsed, and prospective donors

o Prepare reports for leadership regarding progress on fundraising activities as needed

Stewardship & Events (15%)

• Manage the implementation and fulfillment of Luminary Circle communications, benefits, and events, including partnering with the Senior Manager, Stewardship & Events to plan the annual Luminary Circle Dinner
• Support the planning and execution of donor events over the course of the theatre’s season, including but not limited to opening night dinners and receptions, behind-the-scenes events, and the annual Curtain Call Ball
• Facilitate private donor events as needed

General Activities (10%)

• Participate in departmental and cross-departmental meetings to stay informed on CTC programming and advance the work of the Development department
• Monitor philanthropic trends and industry standards to inform and enliven fundraising work
• Other duties as assigned

Collaborate with all departments in the furtherance of CTC’s goal of being an anti-racist/anti-bias theatre that works towards Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Assist with monitoring and ensuring access, representation, participation, and decision making for historically marginalized communities in the Development Department, in fundraising projects, and in all aspects of CTC’s philanthropic efforts
• Study topics that lead to a deeper understanding of how white supremacy, racial violence, and systemic racism have shaped American society and how that shapes CTC’s workplace and the lives of CTC employees
• Encourage and empower everyone to speak out against racist workplace practices and policies
• Provide leadership with empathy for all staff
• Positively contribute to the ACT One platform, creating a future where our theatre is a home for all people, all families, reflective of our community

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• Demonstrated skill in and knowledge of professional fundraising or related field
• Demonstrated success in cultivating and stewarding high-touch, high-impact relationships
• Demonstrated experience in grants or other multi-step project management
• Demonstrated familiarity with managing donor records and documentation; Tessitura experience preferred but not required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Adaptability – Ability to adapt to rapid pace in a changing workplace
• Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem
• Budget – Ability to plan and work within budget parameters
• Communication – Ability to communicate clearly and concisely
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Customer Oriented – Ability to take care of the customers’ needs while following company procedures
• Decision Making – Ability to make critical decisions while following company procedures
• Diversity Oriented – Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race,
• ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or physical abilities
• Emotional Intelligence – The ability to recognize and manage one’s emotions, and the emotions of others, to achieve positive and mutually beneficial outcomes
• Inclusive – Skill and value of providing equal access of opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized
• Judgment – The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information
• Project Management – Ability to plan and manage workflows and personnel in a holistic and integrated fashion to ensure progress of projects, and awareness of responsibilities among staff
• Time Management – Ability to manage the available time to organize and complete work efficiently and effectively within given deadlines

Other Qualities

• A commitment to ethical conduct in all respects of the work environment
• A commitment to creating a just, equitable and inclusive work environment
• A commitment to the protection of confidential information to which this position has access
• Ability to positively contribute to an anti-racist/anti-bias organization and work to dismantle structural racism in theatre

COMPENSATION

The starting salary range for this full-time position is between $66,000 and $72,000 annually. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance; short-term and long-term disability and life insurance; vacation and sick leave; nine paid holidays; and a 403(b) retirement savings plan.

TO APPLY

Apply directly on Idealist. Please submit a resume and a cover letter.