Position Profile

Director of Development

Theatre Under The Stars

Houston, TX

Background and Current Environment

Founded by Frank M. Young in 1968, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) was created to serve the Greater Houston community through producing timeless classics and creating/developing new and innovative works of musical theatre.

Performed downtown at the 2600-seat Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Theatre Under The Stars’ seasons feature a spectacular mix of touring musicals and self-produced shows, from witty, innovative farce to tales as old as time.  The Hobby Center also houses TUTS’ educational arm and renowned training program, Humphreys School of Musical Theatre, which has produced notable alumni like Chandra Wilson, Bruce Norris and Michelle DeJean.  To deepen its community outreach and engage in an even wider array of arts education programming, TUTS merged with The River Performing and Visual Arts Center in 2010, which allows children and young adults with disabilities, disadvantages or chronic illness to delight in the joys of singing, dancing and acting. 

Theatre Under The Stars is led by Artistic Director Dan Knechtges and Executive Director Hillary J Hart and governed by a 63-member Board of Directors.  Additionally, there are 21 members of the TUTS Advisory Board.  The organization has an operating budget of approximately $17 million.

The 2020/21 season, recently announced, will feature the highly anticipated Broadway revival of 1776, prior to its arrival in New York City.  The season also includes new productions of Rock of Ages and Disney’s The Little Mermaid as well as a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific and a new production of Sister Act, directed and choreographed by TUTS Artistic Director Dan Knechtges.  One additional production is to be announced.

In addition to the extensive education and community engagement programs described above, Theatre Under The Stars also acts as the administrative body of the Tommy Tune Awards, celebrating the educational value, artistry, and community of high school musical theatre in the Greater Houston area.  Each year, approximately 3500 students participate in the program, and to date, over $450,000 in scholarships have been awarded through the program to Houston’s young performers, designers, musicians, directors, and playwrights.

In 2019, TUTS introduced Public Works Houston, a new community engagement program that seeks to engage the people of Houston by making them creators and not just spectators, in affiliation with the Public Theater’s highly successful Public Works program in New York City.  The program’s inaugural production of Suessical at Miller Outdoor Theatre featured four community partners – Dress for Success Houston, Wesley Community Center, New Hope Housing Reed, and YMCA of Greater Houston.

Mission and Values

Theatre Under The Stars, Houston’s non-profit home for musical theatre, is dedicated to enriching lives through innovative musical theatre, inclusive educational curriculums and dynamic community engagement.

ENGAGING

INCLUSIVE

COLLABORATIVE

RESILIENT

TRANSPARENT

INSPIRED

TUTS engages, entertains, and inspires our community by creating musical theatre supported by related programming and educational experiences of the highest quality, reflecting the breadth and depth of our theatrical art.

Inclusive of diverse peoples, cultures, traditions, and ideas, TUTS breaks down barriers to the craft of musical theatre by practicing equity, diversity and inclusion across all areas of our organization.

TUTS practices authentic and transformative community collaboration with arts partners, educational institutions, government agencies, and other non-profits.

Through conscientious stewardship of all human and financial renounces, TUTS operates all aspects of our business responsibly, thereby fostering community confidence and support.

TUTS demonstrates the highest standards of governance, management, communication, and operational practice.

TUTS provides a creative, artistic, and institutional culture to inspire and fulfill our most valuable asset, our stakeholders – including staff, board, and guest artists.

About Houston

America's fourth-largest city is filled with world-class arts, dining, shopping and nightlife.  Houston is also widely recognized as “America’s Most Diverse City.”

Houston’s nonpro?t arts and culture industry generated over $1.1 billion in total economic activity, according to the 2017 Arts & Economic Prosperity report. This spending, $579.4 million by nonpro?t arts and culture organizations and an additional $538.0 million in event-related spending by their audiences, supports 25,817 full-time equivalent jobs, generates $801.6 million in household income to local residents and delivers $119.3 million in local and state government revenue. 

For more information on the region, please visit:  www.visithoustontexas.com.

Position and Responsibilities

The Director of Development is responsible for handling all aspects of strategic fund development and communications as they relate to annual fundraising activities, including, but not limited to: individual giving, major gifts, corporate giving, grants, foundations, planned giving, government funding, and events. The Director of Development will work closely with the Executive Director, Artistic Director, and Board to identify and cultivate current/potential donors as well as maintain satisfaction with all donors as it relates to their benefits and recognition received throughout the year. This individual must ensure that all TUTS fundraising activities are professionally executed and uphold the mission, vision, and values of the organization. The position supports the Board of Directors as needed, acts as company liaison for the Development Committee and serves on the senior management team.

TUTS has been aggressively implementing an integrated patron model with regard to earned and contributed revenue and the Director of Development will work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications as well as other members of the senior management team to fully realize a data-driven approach to Institutional Advancement.

Core Responsibilities

The Director of Development will:

1. In conjunction with the Executive Director and in alignment with TUTS initiatives, create, develop and implement a comprehensive annual Institutional Advancement Plan that includes a calendar of deadlines, strategies and guidelines for annual operating support.   

2. Lead the Development Team consisting of development officers with portfolios inclusive of individuals, corporations, foundations and government support/relations, and administrative support team members.

3. Effectively recruit and manage the daily activities of the Development Team with respect to their specific areas of focus; including, but not limited to the assignment and monitoring of fund development goals for each team member while at the same time facilitating the growth and personal development of the Team with a focus on building a collaborative, proactive work environment.

4. Work closely with staff, trustees, and other volunteers to maximize the effectiveness of TUTS’ special events in order to help develop, attract, and retain donors.

5. Grow TUTS major gifts program including identification, cultivation and solicitation of major donors; including but not limited to Planned Giving strategies.

6. Work with the Executive Director and Board to integrate Capital Campaign Plans into the short and long-term annual fund needs of the organization.

7. Develop and monitor an annual contributed revenue and expense budget including general department operations and special events.

8. Provide appropriate support to the Development Committee Chair, board members and other community partners as needed to carry out the functions of the committee and cultivate board engagement.