Director of Development

Join Musical Theatre West!

Musical Theatre West (MTW) is a nationally renowned, regional musical theater company and is one of the largest arts organizations in Long Beach. We currently produce four major musical productions each year, performed at the beautiful Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For nearly 75 years, we have been producing critically acclaimed, award-winning classic and contemporary musicals with vibrant community artists. We also proudly nurture future talent through extensive education programs reaching 18,000 students annually. With passionate supporters and devoted audiences, MTW brings Broadway to Southern California.

About The Position

This role will be MTW’s first Director of Development and has the exciting opportunity to build out a development department and lead a growing development team.

The Director of Development provides strategic leadership for MTW development initiatives and is responsible for the vision, design and direction of the theater’s giving programs. The aim of the development department is to garner maximum support for MTW, its productions and its outreach and education programming through donor solicitation, major gifts, grants and events.

Compensation And Benefits

The compensation for the Director of Development is $110,000 - $120,000 per year. This position is eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Unlimited paid vacation leave.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Retirement plan.
• Cellphone allowance.
• No-cost tickets to shows produced by Musical Theatre West and reimbursement for local theater tickets to keep in touch with the theater scene
  
  

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Create a diverse and multi-faceted development plan in coordination with the Executive Director/Producer, Board Development Committee and Development Team.
• Identify, cultivate and solicit key donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations.
• Prepare individual communication, cultivation and solicitation plans for each major gift donor/prospect.
• Develop and manage an effective stewardship plan for all giving levels.
• Enact strategies and develop training opportunities to build a culture of philanthropy among the Board members and non-Development theater staff.
• Oversee the management of donor databases and financial records.
• Establish Development goals in coordination with the Executive Director/Producer and Board Development Committee.
• Supervise the creation of materials and website content that enhance the theater’s visibility and reputation with donor constituencies and giving opportunities.
• Research, initiate contact, prepare and review grant proposals.
• Identify and solicit principal sponsors for fundraising events.
• Support the preparation of the annual development income and expense budget.
• Responsible for interviewing, supervising and performance management for a small development team consisting of a Development Coordinator and Donor Relations and Special Events Coordinator.
• Help coordinate the fundraising efforts of the two MTW support groups, the Guild and Footlighters.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience required.
• At least 5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, preferably in arts and culture organizations.
• At least 5 years of experience supervising a small team.
• Experience developing and implementing successful annual giving, major gift, planned giving, grants and public relations programs.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive certification preferred.
  
  

Qualifications

• Comfortable initiating and conducting donor visits and fundraising calls, with demonstrated success at securing donors and major charitable gifts.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to tell a compelling story.
• Knowledgeable about the latest fundraising tactics and the ability to determine their effectiveness.
• Excellent understanding of marketing and communications and how to utilize these to enhance fundraising.
• Complete deliverables in established timeframes while maintaining flexibility.
• Proficiency with Microsoft software such as Word, Excel and Outlook and donor database software such as Spectric or Atria.
• Able to work nights and/or weekends to attend events.
  
  

How To Apply

Thank you for your interest in the Director of Development opportunity with Musical Theatre West! Please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration. We are unable to accept direct inquiries about this position (i.e. phone calls, emails).