Development Director

Location: Hybrid – On-site & Remote

Reports to: Managing Director

Direct Reports: Grant Writer, Development & Marketing Assistant

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

An exciting opportunity for a seasoned Development Professional to join a dynamic team committed to contemporary American theater. Reporting to the Managing Director and with opportunity for a hybrid work structure, the Development Director is responsible for all activities related to the planning, implementation, analysis and evaluation of fundraising and associated communications and outreach goals and objectives. The Director is a member of the leadership team working to enhance and support CATF’s vision, mission and programs.

Overall responsibilities include the creation and implementation of an annual fundraising plan and long range strategic planning as it relates to the development function.

The position requires an advanced level of development experience, management skills, strong written and verbal communication abilities, a confidence to directly solicit large gifts and interface regularly with a range of volunteers, prospects and donors, and an ability to creatively and strategically implement a vision for long term growth and stabilization of the CATF’s funding base.

Founded by Ed Herendeen in 1991 with the mission to produce and develop new American theater, CATF has grown to a $2.5M organization at the center of new play development and production in the nation. CATF’s core values of fearless art, diverse stories, inclusivity, and community guide all its actions from play selection to human resource management. Nestled in Shepherdstown, WV, approximately 1.5 hours from Washington, DC and Baltimore, CATF produces a summer festival of 5 plays on the campus of Shepherd University along with new play development and educational programming year-round.

Over the course of 35 seasons, CATF has produced 144 new plays by 104 playwrights including 66 world premieres and 11 plays commissioned by the Festival. CATF premieres have gone on to Broadway, London, off-Broadway, and regional theaters as well as adapted into major motion pictures. Learn more .

• Collaborating with the Managing Director to set and achieve CATF’s annual and long-term fundraising strategy, goals, and benchmarks
• Stewarding a portfolio of CATF’s existing major donors, re-engaging lapsed individuals, and building a sustainable prospect pipeline
• Working closely with the Artistic Director, Managing Director, Board of Directors, and other staff to coordinate management of key funder relationships
• Developing effective moves management, donor identification and qualification, tracking, and other systems that can support the team in achieving revenue goals
• Exploring impactful opportunities for donor engagement, partnerships, and fundraising campaigns
  
  Working with the communications team to create a suite of compelling case materials aligned with CATF’s mission and strategic objectives
• Budgeting and working with the operations team in accordance with nonprofit financial management best practices
• Managing a part-time Grant Writer and co-managing a Development & Communications Assistant responsible for database maintenance and management as well as digital communications.

• At least five years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a particular emphasis on identifying, cultivating, and stewarding major gifts.
• BA (required), MA or equivalent certifications helpful
• Comfortable both making frontline asks, and coaching staff and board members to set them up for success with donors
• A combination of high-level strategic thinking and ability to manage tasks on a day-to-day basis
• Strong financial and data analysis skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and report-building
• Knowledge of the CATF’s funding space is a plus, specifically nonprofit theater and new play development
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Familiarity with Spektrix, Donor Search, project management tools such as Asana, and other digital tools and platforms (e.g. Zoom and Google Drive) a plus

Salary range…