Development Director

Overview

The Development Director serves as a key member of Stages’ Management Team, partnering with the Managing Director and Board of Directors to design and lead a comprehensive development program that ensures the organization’s long-term sustainability. Responsible for generating approximately 4 million in annual contributed revenue, this leader develops and executes strategies to expand support from individuals, corporations, foundations, government agencies, and other funding sources.

The Development Director oversees a dedicated team responsible for all fundraising initiatives, providing clear direction, strategic alignment, and operational excellence. This role ensures effective systems and practices for donor cultivation, recognition, and stewardship, while fostering strong collaboration across departments, particularly with marketing, to enhance Stages’ visibility and philanthropic reach.

A strategic and relational fundraiser, the Development Director engages donors and stakeholders at every stage of the giving cycle, actively diversifies revenue streams, and uses data-driven insights to identify and secure new funding opportunities. As a frontline fundraiser, the Director manages a personal portfolio and supports the cultivation and stewardship efforts of staff, leadership, and board members to advance Stages’ mission and values.

About us

Stages makes plays and tells stories that invite everyone to live more deeply and love more boldly. We produce a broad scope of plays and musicals ranging from jukebox musicals and family entertainment to world premieres and new work by emerging writers. Stages was founded in 1978 and we’ve grown to become Houston’s sixth largest nonprofit performing arts producer and the largest outside the downtown theater district.

We perform year-round with an average of 10 productions and thousands of visitors each season. In January 2020, we opened our new $35.4 million three-theater home, The Gordy. We’re a welcoming, collaborative culture that encourages each staff member to take initiative, share ideas, and help shape the organization.

About you

You are dedicated and results driven with a passion for raising money in support of the organization’s mission, values, and achieving annual fundraising goals. You are a proven leader who leads a staff of passionate team members, while also working to achieve your own goals and objectives. You are personally dedicated to human centric fundraising and understand that success in our business is all about the cherished relationships held between many different individuals.

Enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead and contribute to Stages’ development efforts, you are an innovative thinker who works at a quick pace with a deep commitment to the causes you support. You are a strong project manager, who understands how to lay out a plan to achieve a big vision. You are committed to ethical fundraising practices and dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of integrity for trust between an organization and its supporters.

You are also motivated to cultivate and nurture relationships with key stakeholders and are a skilled team leader and collaborator. You know Houston’s philanthropic scene.

What you’ll do at Stages

• Serve as Stages’ chief contributed revenue strategist and frontline fundraiser, developing and executing a comprehensive annual development plan with clear timelines and strategies to grow restricted and unrestricted support from individuals, corporations, foundations, government agencies, and special events.
• Develop and manage the department’s annual revenue and expense budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources and high-quality execution of all administrative and operational functions, including data integrity, donor acknowledgments, reporting, and financial tracking.
• Lead a team of four Development staff members, fostering a supportive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment. Set clear strategic goals and performance standards, guide workflow priorities, and conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings. Provide timely constructive feedback and ensure professional development and…