Development Operations Coordinator

Company Overview

The 5th Avenue Theatre’s mission is to nurture, advance, and celebrate all aspects of the great art form: the musical. As one of America's premier musical theater companies, The 5th is a major economic driver, playing a key role in the revitalization of downtown Seattle. We produce multiple musicals annually and proudly employ local talent, with 90%+ of our 700 artists living in Washington. Our renowned education programs serve 35,000 K-12 students annually, and our engagement programs facilitate connections between people, organizations, different cultures, and various art forms. The 5th is an invaluable treasure to Seattle, and central to America's theatrical landscape; we have originated 26 new musicals, 11 of which have gone on to Broadway and garnered 15 Tony Awards®, including two for Best Musical. 

Position: Development Coordinator

Department: Development

Reports to: Deputy Director of Development

FLSA Classification: Full-Time, Salary Non-Exempt

Salary: $55,000 - $60,000

Work Location: Downtown Seattle. The 5th Avenue Theatre administrative office located within Skinner Building (1326 5th Avenue, Suite 735). Remote work is an option on Mondays, and as needed with supervisor approval.

Special Consideration: This position requires frequent night and weekend hours, including attending designated 5th Avenue Theatre shows, events, and activities.

Position Summary

The Development Coordinator serves as a key member of the Internal Operations Team, coordinating donor stewardship, engagement, and annual giving activities that strengthen philanthropic relationships and support the organization's fundraising goals. Working closely with Development, Marketing, Front of House & Guest Services, and program staff, this role coordinates donor communications, benefit fulfillment, fundraising events, annual giving initiatives, and stewardship activities to ensure every donor interaction is timely, meaningful, and reflective of the organization's commitment to exceptional philanthropy.

About the Development Team at The 5th Avenue Theatre Company

The Development Department is organized around two complementary areas of focus: External Fundraising and Development Operations.

The External Fundraising Team focuses on relationship building, donor engagement, fundraising strategy, solicitations, stewardship, events, and philanthropic partnerships. Team members work directly with donors, sponsors, foundations, and community partners to cultivate and strengthen support for the organization's mission.

The Internal Development Operations Team provides the infrastructure that supports successful fundraising efforts. This team manages donor data and systems, gift processing, reporting, prospect research, campaign tracking, and operational workflows that ensure fundraising activities are accurate, strategic, and effective.

As a member of the Internal Operations Team, the Development Coordinator ensures the systems, coordination, and donor-facing activities that support successful fundraising and long-term philanthropic relationships are executed with excellence.

PRIMARY AEAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Donor Relations & Stewardship (40%)

Serve as the primary coordinator for donor experience and stewardship fulfillment across the organization, ensuring donor communications, benefits, events, and recognition activities are executed consistently, accurately, and on schedule.

Primary Collaborators: Deputy Director of Development, Major Gift Officers, Corporate Giving Officer, Development Operations Assistant

Responsibilities:

• Support donor engagement strategies across all giving levels.
• Manage stewardship calendars and benefit fulfillment timelines, maintaining accurate tracking records
• Support the team in coordinating donor ticket requests, opening night experiences, and special access opportunities.
• Track and fulfill individual donor benefits and recognition opportunities in partnership with Major Gift Officers
• Coordinate sponsor and partner benefit fulfillment in partnership with Institutional and Corporate Giving Officer.
• Serve as an internal resource for stewardship processes, donor benefits, and engagement opportunities across departments.
• Coordinate donor gratitude process, supporting the team through thank-you calls, cards, emails, and personalized stewardship communications after all campaigns, events, and engagement efforts.
• Ensure donor records, preferences, and engagement activities are accurately documented in partnership with Development Operations Assistant.

Shared Responsibilities (25%)

With the Development Operations Assistant, support the execution of annual fundraising campaigns and appeals that engage, retain, and grow individual donor support. Provide general support to advance departmental goals, fundraising initiatives, and organizational priorities.

Primary Collaborator: Development Operations Assistant

Campaign and Appeal Responsibilities:

• Assist with direct mail and email fundraising campaign execution
• Support appeal production, segmentation, and deployment in partnership with Development Operations and Marketing.
• Support stewardship and follow-up activities related to annual fund campaigns.
• Support donor retention and acquisition efforts.
• Collaborate with Development Operations to ensure accurate campaign tracking and performance analysis.

Administrative & Departmental Responsibilities:

• Maintain donor records via data tracking and system organization.
• Support departmental projects and special initiatives.
• Participate in campaign planning and department meetings.
• Assist with donor communications and materials development.
• Support cross-departmental fundraising and engagement efforts.
• Provide administrative support for development activities as assigned.
• Serve as a collaborative member of the Development team and broader organization.
• Contribute to a culture of philanthropy and donor-centered engagement throughout the organization.

Major Fundraising Events (20%)

Provide development-focused support for our major fundraising events (including but not limited to our annual Gala, Directors Dinner, Season Preview Dinner, and Rising Star Project Luncheon) under the primary direction of the organization's events lead, ensuring a seamless and meaningful donor experience before, during, and after events.

Primary Collaborators: Events lead, Deputy Director of Development, Director of Development, Development Operations Assistant, Marketing & Communications Team, Volunteer Event Committees, Front of House & Patron Services Teams

Responsibilities

• Coordinate donor-facing event communications, including invitations, confirmations, Know Before You Go communications, and post-event thank-you outreach.
• Manage RSVP tracking, guest lists, and donor seating coordination for cultivation, stewardship, and special events (excluding the annual gala).
• Support event logistics and donor experience planning.
• Assist with on-site event preparation, set-up, execution, and post-event follow-up.
• Serve as a development representative during fundraising events as needed.
• Supports planning and execution of committee meetings and events, cultivation gatherings, and other initiatives.
• Coordinate and support donor stewardship and fulfillment activities connected to fundraising events. Coordinate sponsor and donor benefit fulfillment related to fundraising events.
• Track event participation and engagement metrics.

Stewardship & Annual Donor Events (15%)

• Coordinate donor-centered engagement opportunities designed to deepen relationships, strengthen community among supporters, and increase donor retention and engagement. These events include but are not limited to opening nights, tours, artist engagements, and oneoff events related to season productions

.

Primary Collaborators: Deputy Director of Development, Director of Development, Major Gift Officers, Artistic, Education and Community Engagement, and Production Teams, Marketing & Communications Team, Front of House

Responsibilities

• Coordinate annual donor events, receptions, behind-the-scenes experiences, and stewardship gatherings.
• Manage invitations, RSVPs, guest communications, and event logistics.
• Support the development of meaningful donor engagement opportunities tied to productions, programs, and organizational initiatives.
• Coordinate event follow-up and stewardship activities.
• Track participation and engagement metrics.
• Assist in developing new donor engagement and recognition opportunities.
• Support volunteer and donor-hosted cultivation opportunities as appropriate.
• Coordinate donor hospitality and engagement activities associated with performances and special events.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. 

• Ability to perform administrative tasks using a computer, such as creating and reviewing documents, entering data, and communicating electronically. This may involve sitting at a workstation for extended periods and can be done using a keyboard, mouse, or assistive technology.
• Ability to communicate in person with colleagues across a multi-level facility (including offices, theater, and workshop spaces). This may involve moving between spaces with varied lighting and sound, or asking others to come to a central office location as needed.

The 5th Avenue Theatre employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, & Vision package; Sick, Personal, & Vacation time; paid holidays, commuter benefits (Orca Card and reduced-price parking); Life and Disability Insurance; enrollment option in the company’s 401(k) retirement plan and tax-advantage savings accounts; complimentary performance tickets to most shows.

Fluency in English is required for this position.