Guthrie Theater | Minneapolis, MN
Salary Range: $200,000 - $250,000
ABOUT THE GUTHRIE
As a leader in theater arts, the Guthrie is a cultural asset, serving as a national example of excellence in theatrical production and performance and as an anchor of the country’s not-for-profit regional theaters.
The inspiration for starting the Guthrie Theater was to provide an alternative to Broadway by creating a resident theater that attracted world-class artists to perform classics for audiences outside of New York City. Since its founding in 1963, the theater has continued to strengthen its reputation as a leader in the industry, and in 1982, the Guthrie received a Tony Award for outstanding contribution to American theater. In 2006, the Guthrie moved to its current iconic blue building, designed by Jean Nouvel. Joseph Haj joined the Guthrie in 2015 as the eighth Artistic Director in the theater’s history.
The Guthrie strives to reflect and celebrate the cultural diversity of the Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota, the region, and the world in the work they do on and off the stage, the people who bring their productions to life, and the guests and audiences who visit the theater. The Guthrie has engaged consultants, staff, community, and stakeholders to partner with them in creating anti-racism commitments so they can work towards becoming an anti-racist and more equitable organization and shift the organization’s culture in permanent and meaningful ways. Learn more about these commitments here. (https://www.guthrietheater.org/anti-racism-work-and-commitments/)
THE POSITION
Serving as a vital member of the Senior Management Team, the Director of Development reports directly to Artistic Director Joseph Haj and works closely with the Managing Director and Board. This position is responsible for the strategic direction, development, organization, promotion, implementation, expansion, and assessment of all philanthropic avenues to increase financial support. This Director leads all aspects of the organization’s fundraising plans including but not limited to: major gifts, annual giving, corporate/foundation relations, grants, sponsorships, planned giving, and special events. They share responsibility with the Artistic and Managing Directors for stewarding key philanthropic relationships and lead the implementation of the Guthrie’s Illuminate Campaign.
The Director of Development provides overall leadership and supervision to a full-time development staff of ten; current direct reports include the Director of Individual Giving, Campaign Director, Director of Institutional Partnerships, and Development Operations & Events Manager. Peers to this position on the Senior Management Team include the Director of Production, Senior Artistic Producer, Director of Marketing & Communications, Director of Human Resources, General Manager, and Director of Finance. All employees are expected to center, model and champion the Guthrie’s core values of artistic excellence; community; equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility; and fiscal responsibility.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Development will have the following primary responsibilities:
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
- Partner with the Artistic Director to clearly define the theater’s strategic philanthropic direction and vision.
- Establish and execute a comprehensive strategic development plan in collaboration with Artistic Director, Board, and staff to cultivate new donors and maximize the capacity of existing donors.
- Collaborate with senior leaders to integrate fundraising mindsets and practices throughout the Guthrie’s culture; act as partner to the theater’s senior leaders to advise on their portfolio activities.
- Represent the theater in the community and when interacting with individuals and organizations.
DEVELOPMENT & FUNDRAISING
- Obtain new revenue funds for the organization through the acquisition of gifts, donations, and by diversifying revenue streams. Maintain an active portfolio of major donors, including a mix of individuals, corporate partners, and foundations.
- Work with Managing Director and Director of Finance to design Development budgets that align with the Guthrie’s financial priorities; develop and implement a strategic fund development plan with clear short-term and long-term goals, objectives, and timelines.
- Oversee the visioning and execution of the Guthrie’s efforts to further increase its connection to Minneapolis and St. Paul’s business, nonprofit, and philanthropic communities; foster these relationships to both increase revenue and enrich the Guthrie’s programming, offerings, and reputation.
- Build the profile and amplify the brand of the organization by acting as a liaison with donors, foundations, corporations, and the public.
MANAGEMENT
- Provide leadership to the Development team; manage, coach, and mentor team members to achieve aspirational yet attainable goals and support them as they advance their career development.
- Build a strong team culture of excellence, collaboration, and success, keeping community, DEIA, and financial responsibility at the core of all practices.
- Build and/or refine systems, processes, procedures, and policies for the Development team, removing barriers so team members can thrive.
- Further the Development team’s purposes through sound administrative management and stewardship practices; direct the development of effective fundraising and donor cultivation programs.
- Ensure each function within Development achieves agreed upon goals and maximizes opportunities for growth.
- Lead department meetings, provide on-going feedback to direct reports, complete performance evaluations, and adhere to legal and organizational management policies and procedures.
OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION
- Manage and oversee the formation and maintenance of necessary development reports and records; prepare and manage the department's financial reports and budget; monitor budget and control expenditures.
- Create, develop, maintain and track a variety of complex budgets that contribute to the fiscal health of the theater; act as a key participant in the season planning process.
- Develop and maintain annual development budgets; oversee all development related expenditures and establish methods of maintaining budget control.
- Attend and participate in senior leadership and Board meetings.
- Work closely with staff, trustees, and other volunteers to maximize the effectiveness of the theater’s special events, which range from small cultivation events and opening night parties to the annual gala, to help develop, attract, and retain donors.
- Report regularly to Senior Team and Board on effectiveness of development programs, using clear metrics and data.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will possess most of the following qualifications:
- A genuine commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Guthrie Theater and an interest in the arts in general.
- At least seven to ten years of progressive leadership experience in development or advancement; experience in theater arts would be an advantage.
- Proven track record of achieving revenue goals, major gift solicitation, and donor cultivation; thorough understanding of a diversified funding base.
- Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, and manage new donors, while effectively stewarding and re-engaging the Guthrie’s existing donor base.
- Experience leading successful multi-year campaigns.
- Strategic understanding of transformational philanthropy and proven ability to convey this understanding in a compelling way.
- Experience designing and implementing procedures, processes, and policies to guide a team to success.
- Excellent financial analysis skills; ability to develop and manage both revenue and expense budgets.
- Comfort leveraging metrics and data for reporting and goal-setting.
- Demonstrated success in building productive, collaborative, long-term relationships with senior leaders, staff, boards, volunteers, and donors; a flexible and creative work-style that prioritizes both relationships and results.
- Persuasive writing and verbal skills, including public speaking; strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability and commitment to working with diverse groups in terms of gender expression, race, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status.
- Proven ability to hire, develop, train, mentor, and lead strong fundraising teams in a collaborative, team-oriented approach, with a strong commitment to promoting an inclusive and equitable work environment.
- Comfort and familiarity with Development technology and donor database management software, ideally Tessitura.
- Excellent judgement, attention to detail, and ability to maintain confidentiality, ensuring theater patrons’ privacy.
- An existing knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, the Twin Cities’ philanthropic landscape.
- Willingness and ability to travel when needed.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $200,000 to $250,000. The Guthrie offers a wide range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, relocation reimbursement, generous PTO and holidays, complimentary and discounted tickets to performances, discounted classes and summer camps, flexible and hybrid scheduling, and being part of a creative, innovative, and dynamic community.
APPLICATION
The Guthrie Theater has retained Campbell & Company to conduct this search. The team for this project includes Sarah Beraki, Vice President, and Emily Miller, Senior Consultant.
You can view the full Position Guide here: https://bit.ly/GuthrieTheaterDD
Apply Now: https://bit.ly/3pTNF6x