Job Title: Assistant Director of Development (Salaried and Exempt)
Department: Development
Reports to: Chief Development Officer

About the Playhouse: The Pasadena Playhouse is one of the top regional theaters in the country and the State Theater of California. Under the new leadership of Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman, it presents a full season of artistically innovative productions and engaging educational outreach activities to nearly 150,000 Southern California residents annually in two spaces: the 643-seat main stage theater and the 99-seat flexible Carrie Hamilton Theater. By focusing on the creation of great productions, the expansion of educational and outreach programs, the development of new plays, and the creation of innovative programs, the Playhouse will continue to be a leader in the industry.

About the Position: The Pasadena Playhouse is looking for a results-oriented achiever who wants to grow and help grow the development department. The Assistant Director of Development (ADoD) will be responsible for stewarding and growing, with minimal supervision, a current portfolio of foundation and government funders, while also building the Playhouse’s corporate giving program and individual four- and five-figure gifts.

The ADoD is a leadership role within the Playhouse and will work closely with the Chief Development Officer (CDO), senior staff, Trustees and other volunteers to effectively grow the organization. There is also ample opportunity for growth in responsibility, title and compensation, based on the ADoD’s ability to increase contributed revenue.

This is an exempt position that often requires evening and weekend responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

Foundation and Government Portfolio (35%)
○ Manage a current portfolio of approximately 30 foundations and government entities, with a focus on increasing cultivation and stewardship in order to increase funding.
○ Manage all application and reporting cycles.
○ Identify new prospects that align with Playhouse priorities, particularly in the fields of musical development and arts education.
○ Write and coordinate high-quality funding proposals that sing.

Individual Portfolio (25%)
○ Deftly manage donor relationships with tact and diplomacy, while at the same time cultivating and stewarding donors with aggressive fundraising goals in mind.
○ Hit performance metrics around weekly donor meetings and other quarterly objectives.
○ Develop a pipeline and donor journeys to upgrade $500-level donors to a $1,000 membership, then to Premiere ($2,500) and on to Guild ($10,000).
○ Help plan and execute donor strategy in relation to scheduled show openings, member and board events.

Corporate Portfolio (20%)
○ Identify and research corporate prospects and build a portfolio of donors, partnerships and in-kind giving.
○ Collaborate with the CDO and events staff on corporate partnerships, proposals and pitch meetings, activations and employee engagement at Playhouse events.

Department Operations (20%)
○ With the CDO, help design and implement the Playhouse’s fundraising strategies and plans.
○ Help develop collateral such as pitch decks, proposals, benefit materials, special gifts, etc.
○ Manage and improve development operations such as the acknowledgement process, database tracking, staff meetings, wealth screening and budgeting.

Qualifications/Experience:
● A proven track record of increasing contributed revenue. Success in sales or business development will be considered in lieu of nonprofit fundraising experience.
● 5-6 years of fundraising experience, and demonstrated success in change management or building portfolios or systems a significant plus.
● Grant solicitation and management a significant plus.
● Budget management a plus.
● References that speak to excellent relationship management.
● Proficiency in G-Suites and Microsoft applications.

Competencies:
● Kaizen and growth mindsets.
● Prefers building and improving, rather than the status quo.
● Dedicated to excellence.
● Proactive.
● Accountable.
● Collaborative style.
● Interest in high workload translating into high reward.

Working Conditions: There are no major sources of discomfort and the Playhouse is a standard office environment with regular exposure to video terminal displays. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The ADoD is occasionally required to lift or move up to 15 pounds.

Compensation: Compensation is $72,000 (Salaried and Exempt). Benefits package includes medical, dental, life insurance coverage, PTO and a 403(b) plan. Start date is immediate.

How To Apply: Please email a cover letter and resume in one PDF to [email protected] with “ADoD” in the subject line by 2/18/22.

We work to maintain a positive environment for our employees, where people can learn, grow and thrive with the company. We strive to provide a collaborative, creative, transparent workplace where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning and culture.

The Pasadena Playhouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer.