Development Officer

Development Officer
Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre

General Description

The Development Officer of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre is responsible for raising funds in support of the Strand’s long-term strategic and annual operating plan.

This includes designing, implementing and managing all fundraising activities including annual giving, grants, sponsorships, endowment and capital campaigns, fundraising events, special projects, and other related solicitations. This position is also responsible for donor record keeping and other related administrative tasks. The Development Officer also is expected to represent The Strand in the community and cultivate relationships with donors, advocates, and stakeholders.

To be successful in this position, the Development Officer must have excellent communication skills, a detailed, attentive approach to their work every day, a collaborative attitude, a willingness to work alone and with others, an ability to support the programs and projects that deliver on the mission of the organization, and the skills to do the required work. The ideal candidate must be flexible, able to multitask, plan their work, and be deadline-driven.

The Development Officer will work with The Strand’s accountant on incoming donations and pledges, serve as the primary staff liaison for the Development Committee and ad hoc fundraising committees, and work closely under the Operations Director, Executive Director, Board, and alongside other staff on a daily basis. There are currently no direct reports to the Development Officer.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

FUNDRAISING/DEVELOPMENT
- Lead the fundraising strategy that incorporates Annual Fund, Corporate, Foundations & Government, Major Gifts, Grants, Planned Giving, and Special Events into the annual operations plan
- Prepare, monitor, manage, and report on an aspirational and achievable annual development budget and plan in accordance with The Strand’s Strategic Plan.
- Meet and exceed fundraising goals, as determined by the strategic plan and annually during organizational budgeting
- Develop and direct all giving efforts, including annual campaigns, targeted initiatives, major gifts, in-person solicitations, online donations, appeal letters, thank you letters, and other donor communications.
- Use institutional, personal and community knowledge to implement innovative strategies and creative ideas to retain and identify/cultivate new prospects
- Identify when VIPs will be present at The Strand and greet them, or alert appropriate Directors/Board to greet them and participate in the cultivation/stewardship process.
- Determine and fulfill donor, sponsor, and membership benefits throughout the season.
- Provide direction/manage point-of-sale donations, like those through the Box Office, concessions, curtain asks, and lobby donation boxes.
- Understand the capital needs of the building and the sources of funding needed to sustain it

ADMIN/OPERATIONS
- Design and ensure strong development operations, including gift processing, maintaining donor databases and managing donor tracking and acknowledgement.
- Maintain effective development systems and record-keeping procedures to track current and prospective donors and accurately report all fundraising income.
- Ensure collateral materials are created as needed, including development reports, board packets, providing information and guidance on development brochures and other printed materials, etc.
- Assume responsibility for all development reports to the Operations Director, Executive Director, Board, and other agencies

COMMUNICATIONS/PR
- Align development-related communications with the organizational brand and provide ongoing evaluation of key messaging as it relates to development activity.
- Develop and execute donor correspondence.
- Collaborate with marketing department to develop print and web materials related to fundraising and development related public relations
- Manage the pledge reminder, membership, and donor acknowledgement programs

GRANTS
- Research new foundation, corporate, government grants and manage grant process
- Maintain contact with and write grant proposals for foundations, corporations, and government grants
- Manage all grants including creation and submission of institutional and government grant proposals and reports
- Maintain grant application and reporting calendar
- Work with the Facilities and Events Director on capital project asks

STRATEGY
- Craft strategies to leverage The Strand’s current programs, activities and events to promote greater donor/sponsor and volunteer participation
- Design and direct corporate and media sponsorship strategies
- Build and implement an effective corporate development strategy
- Brainstorm innovative and creative ways to increase development department revenue and develop future growth opportunities that align with organizational goals
- Participate in and provide strategic guidance on the annual subscription campaign

BOARD
- Serve as a staff liaison to the board of directors for matters related to development, reporting at all Board meetings and providing staff support for the board development committee.
- Work with and aid the Board on methodologies, resources, and tools for the Board’s own fundraising efforts, particularly on capital and special projects, including Call-a-thon.
- Facilitate, engage, and support the Development Committee of the Board of Directors to meet fundraising goals.
- Collaborate with the Board Development Chair to maintain 100% trustee participation in fundraising

EVENTS
- Plan and execute major fundraising events under the supervision of Operations Director and Executive Director, in consultation with the Development Committee, including sponsorship and auction item solicitation, vendor communications, program writing in collaboration with Production Department, volunteer coordination, print and press material creation in collaboration with Marketing, and guest tracking and communication.

LEADERSHIP
- Embrace the mission of The Strand to enrich and engage our regional community through diverse entertainment and memorable experiences for all
- Work respectfully and collaboratively with the Board and Strand Directors and across all departments, including Artistic, Production, Facilities, Education and Box Office on a daily basis
- Participate in professional development, mentoring, and training as much as time and resources allow

OUTREACH
- Represent the organization externally in partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees.
- Be a professional, articulate, enthusiastic, and informed ambassador for the Strand Theatre with donors, patrons, sponsors, and Board members
- Assist in cultivating and developing community partnerships that deepen Strand’s relationship with the region (i.e. Marietta, Cobb County, Marietta City School System, KSU/Life, Cobb Chamber of Commerce, ARC, Art Council, Arts District, Creative Placemaking, Cobb Travel and Tourism, civic organizations, etc.)
- Expand Strand Theatre community presence through relationship building and outreach activities.

GENERAL STRAND STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain competency through self-directed professional development and attending training and/or courses required by The Strand.
- Help create an inclusive workplace by showing respect for people from different cultures and backgrounds, and by building the skills needed to engage with them effectively.
- Maintain a high degree of professionalism when interacting with staff, patrons, and the general public as a representative of The Strand, during the course of business, and when on Strand property.
- Contribute to the overall success of The Strand by performing all other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education, Experience, & Licensing Requirements:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising and arts administration
- Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in arts administration, non-profit management, communication, or related field
- Demonstrable success in securing major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and achieving fundraising goals for a mid to large-size budget not-for-profit
- Experience developing and maintaining productive working relationships with board members, donors, community members, and staff members
- Experience in customer service/hospitality a plus

Qualifications and Skills:
- Experience using and maintaining a CRM database, such as Patron Manager, Tessitura, Blackbaud, DonorPerfect, or similar software.
- Excellent computer/technology skills, especially in Microsoft Office, G-Suite applications, and social media platforms.
- An understanding of financial statements, key financial metrics, budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis
- Independent, goal-driven work ethic
- Proficiency with technology, including ability to learn new software packages.
- Creative and persuasive writing skills
- Excellent verbal, written, organizational and interpersonal skills
- Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Ability to work on a variety of projects simultaneously
- Ability to provide a high standard of professionalism
- Proven ability to think strategically and articulate the big picture while paying careful attention to details.
- Prepared to submit to a background check.

QUALITIES
- A lover of the arts
- Self-motivated, honest, thoughtful and composed
- While exceptionally detail-oriented, can also focus on large concepts and strategic issues
- Able to navigate through diverse and sometimes competing priorities
- Collaborative and collegial in work relationships
- Personable and energetic with ability to engage, motivate, and inspire others.
- Ability to cultivate meaningful relationships with institutional funders and individual donors that convert into sustained support.
- Entrepreneurial spirit, with ability to work as a self-starter in a dynamic, team-based environment with limited resources and lots of passion.

Strand Employee Policy (partial)
- Any direct or indirect harassing, intimidating, abusive or threatening language, actions or behavior are prohibited and will not be tolerated of any employee on Strand premises or while on Strand business
- Violations of Strand harassment policy or any other form of unlawful or unethical conduct, harassment or discrimination are subject to disciplinary action including termination.

Schedule/Details:
This is a full time salaried position. The Development Officer will be expected to be present for business hours, board meetings and other special events as required.

Software Used:
- Patron Manager/Salesforce (CRM)
- Google Workplace
- Microsoft Office
- WordPress with Elementor
- Mailchimp (or similar email marketing platforms)
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Meta Business Suite