Development Director

Job Title: Development Director

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

Compensation: Salary Range —$70,000 – $82,000 per year. Actual salary will be based on relevant job experience and work history

Date Revised: May 4, 2023

With the opening of the new Creativity Center, Creative Alliance embarks on a new journey for connecting with learners from pre-K through senior adults as well as presenting engaging, inspiring, and thought-provoking exhibitions and performances. Creative Alliance is Baltimore’s premier multi-arts venue with a mission to present and promote artists, performers, and filmmakers; engage diverse audiences; and improve the quality of life in Baltimore City through community-based arts and education programs.

Overview: The Development Director is responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive and strategic fundraising program which meets and exceeds the Creative Alliance’s goals for operating and programmatic contributed income.  The Development Director provides leadership throughout the organization to ensure a collaborative and coordinated approach to fundraising among the staff and board and cultivates existing and new relationships that are critical to the Creative Alliance’s long-term success and stability.

About the Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is a proven manager, mentor, and collaborative colleague who is comfortable leading major initiatives and inspiring others and who has a history of effectively leading organizational growth. The candidate will have strong analytical, organizational, time management, and written/verbal communications skills, event planning and exhibit creativity, enthusiasm, and appreciation for the arts in general and Creative Alliance specifically. They should have strong knowledge of current philanthropic best practices and a proven track record in fundraising through all the various channels for contributed income, while connecting our diverse audiences and funders to the mission and vision of Creative Alliance.

Principal Responsibilities:

Contributed Revenue – 60%

• Oversee Creative Alliance’s fundraising efforts, and supervise the Development Associate
• Develop and schedule an annual written fundraising plan with the Executive Director and Development Associate; develop long term contributed income goals and innovative strategies to achieve the plan
• Identify, research, create, and improve upon giving strategies for existing and new major and individual donors, government, foundation, and corporate grants, and membership
• Plan and oversee annual membership drive and cultivation events to increase engagement, retention rates and annual revenue with Development staff.
• Develop print, digital & video marketing collateral related to fundraising in collaboration with our marketing team; this includes writing all solicitations and marketing language around campaigns
• Leverage technology and social media where possible to improve fundraising activities
• Create a compelling portfolio of prospects and current donors for the Executive Director Develop step-by-step plans for the cultivation, outreach, and solicitation of these individuals
• Develop and manage the annual development budget
• Manage the vision and implementation plan for the Marquee Ball and Art To Dine For fundraising events with the program and marketing staff and associated board committees. This includes all event logistics, written material, vendors, and securing sponsorships
• Write and edit donor and member solicitations, grant proposals and reports, and other material for organization
• Identify new and additional grant support opportunities for programs, including performances, exhibitions, films, and education
• Strengthen online giving and year-end campaign
• Manage the Community Investment Tax Credit Program including timely submissions of donor waivers, annual reports, and donor communications
• Review and approve drafted acknowledgment letters and all donor communication
• Track remaining pledges from the capital campaign

Board and Staff Relations – 25%

• Work with the Executive Director and the Board to support development related committees
• Function as staff lead for Marquee Ball and Art to Dine For committees
• Function as the staff point-of-contact for all board members
• Serve as part of the senior staff to support leadership of the organization
• Work with the program departments to brainstorm and develop fundraising campaigns that support new initiatives
• Work with Finance to create and maintain contributed revenue and expense budgets, identify programs requiring funding, and complete project budgets and reports for funders.
• Collaborate with Marketing to create compelling collateral materials
• Maintain high departmental expectations for organization, adherence to deadlines, and accuracy in reporting

Management – 15%

• Provide management, training, and supervision to the Development Associate
• Working with Development Associate on developing annual department goals and plans
• Conduct annual review of development staff and set benchmarks for success

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be comprehensive. Employee may perform other related functions to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Requirements:

• 3 – 5 years’ experience as a Development Director in an arts, entertainment, or community services industry
• Experience managing a contributed revenue budget of $1 million+ with proven successful fundraising results
• Experience grant writing with demonstrated results
• Experience with CRM + Fundraising Software, Salesforce preferred
• Experience fundraising for an Arts and Culture non-profit
• Experience managing and mentoring at least two to three staff members
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed
• Commitment to the mission of Creative Alliance and motivation for success

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of current of funding opportunities, trends, and development best practice
• Experience with event creation and management
• Experience with project creation and management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent management, supervisory, and organizational skills
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite desired, Adobe, and Airtable, preferred
• Ability to prioritize and thrive in a multitasking environment
• An appreciation for the arts and education preferred
• Effectively communicate with Executives, Board members, donors, customers, and employees
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to speak Spanish preferred

Benefits:

Creative Alliance offers a generous benefits package that includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance at no cost to employees for individual coverage
• Optional Simple IRA plan through Vanguard with up to 3% match of annual salary
• 4 weeks of PTO upon hire
• 12 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays per year

All employees are required to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 unless there is a medical or religious exemption

Organization Participation Expectations: In addition to the job-related tasks for this position, Creative Alliance expects all staff to participate in organization events and activities. Specific roles and responsibilities that individual staff may have for these events and activities will be developed in partnership with your supervisor.

Creative Alliance provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Application instructions:

This is a repost of the position; previous candidates need not reapply. Interviews to start immediately.

I have reviewed the content of this job description and acknowledge that I am able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, three references and three writing samples, either donor solicitation or grant samples to jobs@creativealliance.org. Incomplete applications may not be reviewed.