Development Manager

Department: Development
Job Location: Seattle Center, Center House Theatre
Reports to: Managing Director
Posting Date:
Closing Info: August 13, 2008
Status: Full-Time
Compensation: Low $30,000s. Benefits include health insurance, paid vacation, and paid holidays.

To apply

Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to:

Development Manager Search
Seattle Shakespeare Company
PO Box 19595
Seattle, WA, 98109
   or email to
  (No phone calls, please.)

Position Summary:

At Seattle Shakespeare Company we embrace the works of William Shakespeare and other classic playwrights to create theater that crosses social and cultural boundaries and productions that delight, motivate, enthuse, and enlighten audiences. We explore these works through intimate performances and innovative education programs. Through the shared discovery of these plays, we build a community that relishes discovering the powerful experiences that make for a richer understanding of the human condition. With a budget of more than $1.2 million (approximately $600,000 contributed), Seattle Shakespeare Company is a growing, dynamic arts organization.

Working closely with the Managing Director and the Board of Directors, the Development Manager is responsible for the cultivation and development of contributed revenue sources. The Development Manager devises and implements fundraising efforts including grant writing, individual giving, pledge tracking, data entry, special events management and sponsorships. The Development Manager must be a creative, passionate, and skillful advocate for Seattle Shakespeare Company.

Essential Duties:

  • Renew and develop sponsorships and grants from corporations and foundations. Serve as primary implementer of all graphics materials and publications (both print and web)
    • Working with the Corporate Board Committee and the Managing Director, plan and implement Small Business Corporate Contribution Campaigns.
    • Continually scan “giving universe” for, and research, corporate, and foundation prospects
    • Develop and submit program sponsorship and operating support grant proposals
    • Serve as liaison to ArtsFund and other corporate agencies
  • Manage all requests to governmental granting agencies (NEA, WSAC, 4Culture, City of Seattle)
    • Research, pursue and prepare annual government grant requests
    • Track and produce reports for verification of grant expenditures as required
  • Develop and implement individual annual donor appeals
    • Manage prospect lists, updating with latest donor data
    • Assist in identifying Major Donor prospects
    • Coordinate creation, production and supervision of direct mail campaigns
    • Track and invoice pledges
    • Report monthly on success of various campaigns
  • Be primary staff member responsible for planning and implementing fundraising and cultivation events
    • Fall Luncheon
    • Bill’s Birthday Bash Auction
    • Donor Appreciation
    • Corporate Night
    • Other events as scheduled
  • Partner with Seattle Shakespeare Company Board of Directors and volunteers
    • Act as staff support for all volunteers participating in fundraising efforts
    • Attend and support full Board of Directors and Board committee meetings as required
  • Perform general administrative tasks for Development department
    • Produce support materials for fundraising campaigns
    • Oversee data management and acknowledgement of gifts
  • Reporting
    • Devise and prepare final reports for corporate, foundation, and government granting agencies
    • Devise and prepare monthly reports for the Board of Directors
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • 3 years experience in non-profit fund development, preferably in performing arts.
  • Strong writing, organization, project management and communications skills are required.
  • Computer-literacy is a must (Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, and Access)
  • Creativity, imagination, flexibility, and dedication.
  • Passion for the arts.
  • Must be able to work the occasional weekend or evening event.
  • Team player with sense of humor and passion for challenge.