Development Director

Florida Repertory Theatre Seeks Development Director

Florida Repertory Theatre is a fully professional theatre company serving all of Southwest Florida and is now entering its 26th season as an ensemble-based, artist-driven organization. Florida Rep’s professional productions bring over 90,000 people to the River District annually. The theatre also operates an active Education & Outreach Department that reaches an additional 45,000 young people each year. With a growing national profile, Florida Rep is one of the most active arts organizations in the area and holds true to its mission to “improve the quality of life in our community through all the arts,” and strives to continue to “set the Bar High” as “One of America’s Top Repertory Companies” -The Wall Street Journal.

The Development Director is a key senior staff member who demonstrates a passionate commitment to establishing and meeting the contributed income goals that will assist the theatre in achieving its mission and objectives. Florida Repertory Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating under an annual budget of $5 million. The Development Director designs, manages, and implements comprehensive strategies and programs to maximize philanthropic support and achieve Florida Rep’s fundraising and engagement goals.

The Development Director coordinates all development functions for the organization, working in close alliance with Florida Rep leadership and board committees, assembling and mentoring a development team that strongly supports the theatre’s fundraising objectives. The Development Director needs to be a strong team player and strategic thinker with an intense work ethic. The Development Director is a trusted development team leader and is well-respected by Florida Rep’s Board, staff, and supporters.

The broad responsibilities and duties include:

• Designing, implementing and managing all fundraising activities and donor outreach, including annual giving, endowment, capital campaigns, planned giving/Heirloom Society, and special projects.
• Generate $1.9 million in contributed income as part of Florida Rep’s overall $5 million budget.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of current and prospective donors to continue to grow the major gifts program.
• Identify unique funding initiatives for donor proposals, grants, and sponsorship opportunities.
• Identify and solicit playbill advertisers in cooperation with the marketing department.
• Manage donor record-keeping and donor acknowledgment programs in accordance with industry best practices.
• Research and compose all grant proposals, as well as develop the overall grant strategies. Interpret laws and regulations pertaining to federal, state, and private grants and align grants for compliance. Maintain grant-related reference resources including funder research files, grant application deadlines, and grant reporting.
• Plan, manage, and execute donor events for donor appreciation, outreach, acknowledgment, education, and fundraising galas.
• Collaborate with executive staff, marketing, operations, finance, production, and community outreach staff. Work with surrounding communities to make the arts, especially theatre accessible for all. Participate in outreach activities, opening night after parties, and performances outside regular business hours.
• Responsible for all development reports to the Board and other agencies. Forecast and maintain yearly budgets.
• Staff liaison for the Board Development Committee and ad hoc fundraising committees.
• Responsible for all development reports to the Board and other agencies.
• Supervise development staff.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree (required) or Master’s Degree (preferred)
• Local to Ft Myers or experience with SWFL/Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties
• Five (5) years of hands-on experience managing development efforts to raise at least $1.5 million annually through annual and major gifts
• Experience developing and maintaining productive working relationships with board members, donors, and community members
• Knowledge of ticketing/registration/donor/event software
• Experience in theatre/customer service
• An understanding of budgeting principles
• A background in arts administration
• Excellent verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to work on a variety of projects simultaneously is essential and attention to detail is required

Annual Starting Salary: $65,000. Employer contribution to health premium.

TO APPLY: Please email a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to the “Development Director Search” at jobs@floridarep.org.