Aurora Theatre Company seeks dynamic and strategic Development Director
The opportunity: Aurora seeks an innovative and experienced Development Director to join its senior team and oversee the development department during an exciting period of artistic transition and growth. The Development Director will work closely with the Managing Director, as well as with the Board of Directors and Artistic leadership, to grow contributed revenue for the organization.
Who we are: Our mission is to invigorate audiences and artists through the shared experience of professional, intimate theatre. Our work, while entertaining, is more than entertainment as we challenge ourselves and community to do better, think deeper, laugh louder and cast wider nets of empathy toward the world. Through our productions of both classic and new works, we support the Bay Area community by hiring local artists and artisans and likewise support all
forms of diversity both onstage and off. Aurora Theatre Company has been declared “one of the best regional theaters around” by 7x7 magazine, has been called “one of the most important regional theaters in the area” and “a must-see midsize company” by the San Francisco Chronicle. Voted Best Theater Company in 2012 by SF Weekly, and each year increasing its reputation for top-notch theatre, Aurora is
located in the heart of the Downtown Berkeley Arts District. Perhaps even more importantly, Aurora enjoys a very loyal following. Our subscription renewal rate is significantly higher than average and our patrons and donors are kind and passionate followers of the organization. Aurora employs a small, but mighty staff of talented individuals who have a great time bringing excellent, local, intimate theatre to the Bay Area.
Position Description: The Development Director creates and implements annual and long term fundraising strategies to advance the work of the Theatre and is responsible for raising approximately half of the total $2.2 million annual budget. S/he/they supervises and works closely with the Development Manager and Coordinator, collaborates with the Managing, Artistic and Associate Artistic Directors, as well as the marketing team, and manages Board participation in fundraising. The Development Director reports to the Managing Director and
oversees all fundraising activities for the organization, including major gifts, direct mail and online appeals, special events, institutional giving, planned giving, and donor stewardship. S/he/they also serves as liaison to several Board committees and as a senior staff member helps shape the future of the organization.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in a wide range of development work and be equally comfortable directing and executing fundraising activity. S/he/they will also have a commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace and a passion for theatre and the arts.
Responsibilities:
Lead the planning and implementation of Aurora’s overall development program,
developing both annual and long-range strategies that support growth and sustainability across all funding areas.
Optimize a robust major gifts pipeline implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies for gifts of $2,500 and above.
Build relationships with both regional and national foundation partners, and identify new projects and partners in collaboration with senior leadership team.
Steward existing key donors and create new opportunities for donor engagement.
Supervise the development and implementation of annual year-end appeal and other campaigns designed to support both donor renewal and new acquisition.
Oversee internal systems for prospect generation and management.
Oversee and actively participate in planning for major special events.
Develop strategies to increase support from corporations and community partners.
Work in close collaboration with the Managing Director and Board to support and
encourage their active participation in fundraising.
Serve as staff liaison to the Board of Directors’ Gala, Planned Giving, and Stewardship Committees and work closely with the Committee Chairs and members to mobilize volunteers and achieve development goals.
Hire, supervise, mentor and motivate development staff as required.
Qualifications include:
Minimum of 3 to 5 years of senior development experience preferred;
Enjoyment of and proven success with fundraising, including solicitation of major gifts;
Excellent persuasive writing and editing abilities;
Positive, entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on, detail-oriented mentality;
Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills;
Ability to manage multiple priorities and function well in a shared workspace;
Ability to lead, inspire, motivate, and manage others;
Ability to understand and communicate complex business and fundraising strategies.
Compensation & Benefits:
Salary range: $78-$88K per year DOE. This is a permanent, full-time position with benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacation, holiday, personal, and sick time, pre-tax transit savings, and 401(k) eligibility.
Aurora is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to the diversity of its staff and strongly encourages all qualified candidates to apply.
To apply, please email cover letter, resume, and writing sample to jobs@auroratheatre.org.
Please include DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SEARCH in the subject line. The search will remain open until the position is filled and be conducted on a rolling basis, but all qualifiedcandidates are encouraged to apply by January 13, 2020.