EWP seeks a Director of Development to oversee major gift strategies, grants management, donor database management and research, direct appeal strategies and cultivation and stewardship initiatives. The development department consists of the Director, Development Coordinator, and Grants Consultant. The Department will also work with consultants, as needed, to successfully realize the logistics of and fundraising for its annual event(s) and other fundraising events/activities. The Director and Managing Director will work to determine the best structure for the Department that will help advance this goal in a realistic and efficient manner. On average, the development department is responsible for raising $2 million annually through fundraising events, appeals, individual giving, foundations, and sponsorships. The Director will work closely with the Artistic Director and Managing Director on reaching these fundraising goals.

Over the next 12-18 months, the primary objectives are to strengthen development operations and build a high-performing development team; develop and implement a comprehensive development plan with defined targets and metrics; and diversify and grow fundraising income by developing meaningful relationships with existing EWP donors and manage a team designed to engage new and existing donors in their understanding of EWP’s mission.

The Director should possess a positive, entrepreneurial attitude and be able to successfully lead and work with a diverse staff and Board. This is an externally facing position charged with building ethical, meaningful, and lifelong relationships with donors, patrons, and other key stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be one who has managed and led a development team before. The Director will have experience and knowledge creating fundraising strategies and plans, including capital campaigns, planned giving, grants; securing major gifts; strong written and verbal communication skills and experience working with nonprofit boards.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Create strategy and oversee all individual giving activities including major gift identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Possess a portfolio of potential major gift prospects and current donors and activate those relationships consistently throughout the year.
• Oversee EWP’s grants scheduling and management portfolio.
• Work with development team to drive fundraising activity, providing the Artistic Director and Managing Director with the necessary information and tools to succeed in their own outreach.
• Create annual strategy around all event activities including the Gala, cultivation events and donor fulfilment gatherings. Drive fundraising for the Gala to meet revenue goals. Work with special event planning company on other aspects of event.
• Work with the marketing team to create strategy and oversee execution of annual letter, email, and digital appeals.
• Work with team to create annual Development plan, present to leaders and track its execution.
• Create department revenue and expense budgets.
• Work cross-organizationally to create new ways of elevating the organization’s philanthropic messaging in all its programming, printed and digital assets.
• Partner with the Artistic Director and Managing Director in stewarding the Board family, including Board of Directors and Advisory Council.
• Lead development committees (i.e., Development, Gala) and participate in other board committees (Finance, etc.) as needed.
• Prepare and provide regular reports and presentations to the Board of Directors regarding goals and revenue targets, strategies and tactics, and other aspects of the work.
• Assist with other tasks to facilitate the smooth operation of the department to achieve its goals.

Experience and Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of managerial experience directing the efforts of early/mid-career fundraisers. – A Certified Nonprofit Professional or CNP is a plus.
• A track record of personally soliciting and closing individual gifts of $10,000+.
• Experience creating and executing events with 250+ guests.
• Experience with and aptitude for all aspects of donor communications including but not limited to public relations, print and digital media, and events.
• Strong networking skills and a demonstrated ability to develop a good rapport with donors.
• A connection to or knowledge of the LA and/or Southern California philanthropic community is a plus.
• Cultural competency with diverse constituencies across a myriad of ethnicities and nationalities.
• Experience with the Asian American community and organizations is a plus.
• Experience with and aptitude for relational databases, including data entry, tracking, and analyzing data. Knowledge of PatronManager and SalesForce is preferred.

Salary: $80,000 – $90,000/year

Benefits:

100% employer-paid options for medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 403(b) program with employer match, a flexible workplace environment with opportunities for hybrid/remote work as appropriate, and generous paid time off including holidays, sick days, and personal days.

Application Information:

Candidates should email a resume and cover letter in a single PDF file with “Director of Development” in the subject line to team@eastwestplayers.org.
No phone calls, please.

Incomplete applications will not be considered, and we will respond only to those applications in which we have interest. Interviews will begin during the first week of October.

Application Deadline:
Hiring Immediately. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as they are able, and EWP will review on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Please visit here for full job description.

An Equal Opportunity Employer:
EWP provides all persons with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran or marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

EWP has a strong commitment to equity and representation in our hiring process, as well as in all areas of our work. People of color, LGBTQ+, and women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

POSITION SUMMARY

Geffen Playhouse is seeking a full-time Development Coordinator to support the organization’s fundraising strategy. Under supervision of the Chief Development Officer and the Director of Individual Giving, the Development Coordinator will assist in increasing fundraising, ensure proper processing of gifts, and perform data entry in support of the organization’s mission. The Development Coordinator will also take point on departmental administration, including the planning and execution of donor benefit fulfillment events and fundraising events, the timely processing of acknowledgements, and the management of annual donor listings.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• End-to-end processing of donations in Tessitura system, including accurate reporting of all donations and soft credits and monthly reconciliation with accounting department
• Ensure the timely acknowledgement and stewardship of donors with information captured in Tessitura, including program and website listings
• Coordinate ticketing, recording, fulfilment, and guest registration for donor benefit events and annual fundraisers including but not limited to: monthly behind-the-scenes tours, show-specific events, Living Room series events, Backstage at the Geffen, and others
• Support execution of the annual fundraising plan, which includes measurable goals, metrics, and specific strategies for expanding both levels and sources of support.
• Consistently use Tessitura, Classy, iWave, and other software critical to recording, researching, prospecting, and cultivating relationships and donations.
• Conversing with donors in the donor lounge during evening and weekend performances as needed, making sure to connect with each visiting party and creating a warm, congenial atmosphere
• Following up appropriately with donors on event attendance, pledge payment, campaign participation, and show attendance via phone, mail, and email
• Recording donor data in the donor database following the start of each performance
• Other duties as needed

SKILLS AND BACKGROUND

• Exceptional customer service, writing, and communications skills
• Possess strong attention to detail, and demonstrate excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• High level of proficiency with fundraising databases/CRMs. Tessitura experience preferred.
• Comfortable working independently as well as in collaboration with a team and across departments
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred
• 1-2 years of previous non-profit/fundraising experience preferred
• Ability to complete assigned tasks with accuracy and minimal direction
• Strong computer skills, data entry and Microsoft Office
• Ability to establish and maintain tracking systems.

The Geffen Playhouse aims to build a diverse and inclusive workplace, in which we strongly encourage non-conforming and historically excluded individuals to apply for any and all available positions, even if they don’t meet all listed requirements.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary range $60,000-$65,000 commensurate with experience. As a full-time employee this position is eligible to participate in benefit plans and programs, including paid vacation, group medical and life insurance, company paid holidays, and 401(k) retirement plan as well as other fringe benefits.

Geffen Playhouse provides eligible employees with paid sick leave benefits under California’s Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter, as well as three references in .pdf format here by October 31, 2023. No phone calls, please.

The Geffen Playhouse, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Geffen Playhouse provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Geffen Playhouse complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us via telephone at 310-208-6500 x148.

The Music Center is one of the largest and most highly regarded performing arts centers in the country with a vision to deepen the cultural lives of all Angelenos. As L.A.’s premier performing arts destination, it has long been at the forefront of presenting innovative and critically acclaimed programs. With four iconic theaters and four renowned resident companies – Center Theatre Group, LA Master Chorale, LA Opera, and LA Philharmonic – The Music Center is a place where audiences find inspiration in live performance. The Music Center also programs and manages Grand Park, a 12-acre adjacent greenspace. In addition to its illustrious dance programming, free and low-cost engagement experiences and nationally recognized arts learning programs, The Music Center partners with local communities to expand events and activities beyond its downtown campus directly into schools and neighborhoods.

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is a highly collaborative, proactive, resourceful professional who is passionate about arts, culture and civic engagement. Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement and serving as an integral member of the frontline fundraising team, the MGO is responsible for developing meaningful relationships by creating and overseeing cultivation and stewardship strategies that engage and connect donors to the mission and vision of The Music Center.
The candidate for this position will join a 22-person team of dynamic fundraising professionals. The Music Center is led by committed, diverse, and inspirational leaders. The MGO will play a role in building on annual fundraising and setting the stage with prospects as the organization prepares to launch a historic comprehensive campaign.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develops and manages a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects with a capacity to give $50,000 or more.
• Establishes and meets annual goals for identification, cultivation and solicitation of prospects to increase total giving, retain and upgrade donors, and expand major gifts.
• Collaborates with program managers and leadership to identify funding opportunities and engage donors.
• Identifies major gift prospects and conducts robust outreach to qualify prospects.
• Creates compelling proposals, stewardship reports, and acknowledgements.
• Analyzes and gathers prospect research and develops individual strategies.
• Utilizes Tessitura to provide timely tracking and management of donor interactions and monitor progress.
• Works independently and remains self-motivated in initiating contacts with donors in portfolio.
• Maintains best practices and demonstrates a spirit of collaboration with the team in achieving departmental goals.
• Must practice discretion with confidential information.
• Special projects and additional duties as assigned.
• Some travel, mostly within Southern California.
• Work evenings, weekends, and holidays according to program and performance related scheduling.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree along with at least five years of experience in a fundraising role
• Experience working with Tessitura, Raiser’s Edge or similar data management system.
• Demonstrated knowledge of all areas of fundraising, with a record of successfully soliciting and securing five and six figure gifts from individual donors.
• Exceptional interpersonal and writing skills, a strategic mindset, and sense of diplomacy.

Type: Full-time, Exempt
Reports to: Cheryl Brown, Vice President, Advancement
Direct reports: None
Salary Range: $100,000 – $115,000/year

SALARY: The salary range for this position is $100,000 – $115,000 a year. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Benefits: Compensation package includes medical, dental and vision health plans, welfare insurance benefits, a 401(k) plan with employer contribution, and paid vacation and sick days.

VACCINATION POLICY: The Music Center requires its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to certain exemptions as required by law. New hires working at The Music Center must be fully vaccinated no later than 60 days after hire and until they are fully vaccinated will be required to submit weekly proof of negative laboratory COVID-19 test and submit to additional masking and social distancing requirements. Please contact The Music Center’s Human Resources Department for a copy of the vaccination policy.

HOW TO APPLY: Please apply on ADP here by March 30, 2024

Please submit a cover letter and resume the required information and upload documents as noted. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer