Development Director

The Acting Company seeks a Development Director to join the senior leadership team overseeing all aspects of annual fundraising, including, but not limited to: individual giving, board member recruitment, major gifts, corporate giving, grants, private and public foundations, planned giving, government support, the annual gala, and special events. The Development Director will work closely with the Artistic Director and Board of Directors to identify and cultivate current/potential donors, as well as maintain satisfaction with all donors as it relates to acknowledging and recognizing their contributions throughout the year. This individual must ensure that all fundraising activities are professionally executed and uphold the mission, vision, and values of the organization. 

As an equal opportunity employer The Acting Company is committed to opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position. The Company has a commitment that all employees have the right to work in an office, theater, or any situation without discrimination.

The anticipated start date is November 1, 2020.

Background: 

The Acting Company, est. 1972, is the only professional touring theater in the United States, and the only professional theater dedicated to the development of the American actor. Founded by John Houseman and Margot Harley, with the first graduating class of the Drama Division of The Juilliard School, The Acting Company has launched the careers of hundreds of professional actors who are in constant demand on and off Broadway, in film, and on television. 

In recent years, with Ian Belknap as the artistic director, the Company’s work has paired new plays with plays of classical literature, chiefly Shakespeare, connecting subjects or themes that are vital to the present moment.  These works include X: or, Betty Shabazz v. The Nation and Julius Caesar, and Native Son with Measure for Measure. 

The Acting Company has performed in the United States from coast to coast, in major cities and small towns. In addition, it has served at various points in its history as the touring arm of New York City Center, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and The Guthrie. It has been in-residence with many regional theaters and at universities. It also has toured abroad to Russia, Poland, Germany, the former Yugoslavia, Australia, Canada, Bermuda, and London. For its dedication to touring the Company received the 2003 Tony Honor.

The Company consistently performs in New York City at off-Broadway venues and maintains an office in the Film Center Building located at 630 Ninth Avenue in the theater district.  The staff is currently working remotely and will reopen the office when it becomes safe.

The Company’s operating budget fluctuates with the scale of each tour and New York programming, currently around $2,000,000 annually.

The Company is led by 29 members of the Board of Directors and has a staff of six.   

Experience and Qualifications:

The successful candidate must:    

1. Have a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and values working with all people regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and genetic information.
2. Have a background in the cultivation and solicitation of individual, corporate, foundation, and government support, with proven ability to develop, solicit, and steward major gifts, and a demonstrated track record in successful development programs, including staff and volunteer management.
3. Be well-organized, able to plan strategically, and set priorities while also being a team player and hands-on with a focus on details and follow through, with the flexibility to welcome and embrace change, and the ability to balance the challenges inherent in an active and lively performing arts environment.
4. Be a strategic, proactive, and collaborative leader with experience in managing, mentoring and motivating staff, and the ability to work alongside the staff toward accomplishing common objectives.
5. Be a warm, highly personable, mature individual, with an entrepreneurial mindset, results-oriented work ethic, and a strong customer service focus, who works effectively with board members, donors, volunteers, and staff; is experienced in dealing with high net worth individuals; and relishes taking an active, public role in the cultivation and solicitation of donors, and as a representative of the Company.  
6. Believe in the mission of the Company, appreciate the important role cultural institutions play in the life of a vibrant community, and have the ability to articulate this mission and role to others.
7. Have completed an undergraduate or higher degree and have considerable experience in fund-raising, public relations, communications, or related area with an understanding of non-profit organizations.  
8. Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, and experience with fund raising technology, integrated database systems, Microsoft Office, and social media platforms.  

The ideal candidate will also have a passion for theater and a desire to be part of the greater NYC community.

Core Responsibilities:

The Development Director will: 

• Create, develop, and implement a comprehensive annual Advancement Plan that includes a calendar of deadlines, strategies and guidelines for annual operating support.

• Manage, mentor, and oversee the daily activities of the Development Associate including, but not limited to the assignment and monitoring of goals while at the same time facilitating growth and personal development with a focus on building a collaborative, proactive work environment.  The Development Associate is the only other full-time staff member of the development department.

• Lead the planning and execution of the annual Gala. 

• Work closely with Artistic Director, Board of Directors, and other volunteers to maximize the effectiveness of special events in order to help develop, attract, and retain donors.

• Grow major gifts programs including identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major donors.

• Develop and monitor an annual contributed revenue and expense budget including general department operations and special events, in conjunction with the General Manager.

• Coordinate and schedule the quarterly Board meetings and liaise with all members of the 29-person Board of Directors.

• Provide appropriate support to the Development Committee, board members, and other community partners as needed to carry out the functions of the committee, and cultivate board engagement.   

• Participate in events, meetings, and performances outside normal office hours - i.e. be available nights and weekends as appropriate.

Compensation and Application Process: 

The salary will be competitive with other arts organizations of comparable stature and size. Current benefits include health insurance, company-funded life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, and a 403b retirement plan (with a company match starting after 12 months of active employment). The hiring decision will be made by the artistic director with participation from other members of Company leadership. Interested parties should send a cover letter, résumé, salary requirement, and three professional references to: mail@theactingcompany.org