ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SEARCH

The Theatre

Now in its 64th season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. One of the few select theatres in the nation that performs in true rotating repertory, Asolo Rep’s highly skilled acting company and extensive artisanship bring to life this unique performance method that gives audiences the opportunity to see multiple productions in the span of a few days. The theatre and resident conservatory present up to 14 productions each season including contemporary and classic works and provocative musical theatre experiences. Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre artists working in the industry today and cultivating new artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, Asolo Rep’s ambitious theatrical offerings and groundbreaking education and community programming engage audiences and ensure its lasting legacy for future generations.

The Vision and Mission

Vision Statement: Enrich lives through compelling theatrical experiences created in a collaborative and adventurous environment.

Mission Statement: Engage and inspire audiences with extraordinary theatrical experiences created with vision, passion and artistry and enhanced by deeply integrated education and community engagement programs.

Board of Directors and Budget

Asolo Rep has a dedicated and generous board of directors that supports the theatre with their wisdom, experience and resources. There are 55-60 board members who significantly fund the theatre through annual donations, ticket sales, special events and capital and endowment support.  .

Asolo Rep’s budget for 2022-2023  is $11.2MM with annual contributed income at $3.5MM. Asolo Rep’s endowment is currently in excess of $26MM.

Asolo Repertory Theatre-Sarasota Florida

Full Time Exempt $110K-120K

Leadership

The Development Director is a key senior staff member who demonstrates a passionate commitment for establishing and meeting the contributed income goals that will assist the theatre in achieving its mission and objectives. The Development Director designs, manages and implements comprehensive strategies and programs to maximize philanthropic support for the theatre’s priorities and achieve Asolo Rep’s fundraising and engagement goals.

The Development Director coordinates all development functions for the organization, working in close alliance with Asolo Rep leadership and board committees, assembling and mentoring a development staff that strongly supports the fundraising objectives for the annual operational community income and the Capital and Endowment Campaign. A strong team player and strategic thinker with an intense work ethic, the Development Director is a trusted leader of the development team and is well-respected by Asolo Rep Board, staff and supporters.

Key responsibilities

Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Development Director will:

Create and execute a Development Plan that renews and increases support of the annual fund and campaign goals of the theatre.  The plan identifies viable donors, sponsors, grant-makers, in-kind supporters and partners, fundraising events and the short term and long-term strategies for securing the necessary funds to support Asolo Rep and FSU/Asolo Conservatory programs.
Build and supervise a high performing team of fundraising professionals. Hire, manage, evaluate, develop, and terminate development staff as needed and as assigned. Actively encourage staff members' professional growth and participation in the life of the Theatre.

Establish departmental and individual annual performance goals, optimize and allocate resources, set strategies for the identification, cultivation and solicitation of each staff member’s donor portfolios, and assess annual performance.

Provide leadership to the Board in their fundraising work, transforming Board members from donors to fundraisers and building teams of development staff and Board members to achieve community income goals.

Create, monitor and manage an annual development budget. Supervise and approve all expenditures in the department. Ensure staff understands and works within approved budgets and budget policies. Adapt departmental plans and priorities to resource and operational challenges. Address budget variances as they occur; track income and expenses.

Keep the Managing Director and Producing Artistic Director informed of fundraising trends and progress throughout the season, to ensure accurate and timely reforecasting.

Keep meticulous donor profiles and track donor communications and meetings in Tessitura to support the moves management process and safeguard institutional memory of donor relationships. Personally become familiar with Tessitura, and ensure there is high proficiency with the program in the department. Oversee donor research.

Be an intergenerational staff ambassador through active listening, critical thinking, and data analysis, always making well-informed, non-impulsive decisions. 

Work respectfully and collaboratively with other Asolo Rep senior staff and their teams in all departments, including Artistic, Marketing, Production, Education/Engagement, Finance and Box Office, on a daily basis. Work closely with the Marketing department to create a holistic view of marketing that includes development needs and provides mutual support for both departments.

Serve as staff liaison for several board development committees. Attend monthly meetings and provide reports for Executive and Nominating & Governance committees and the full Board. Work with and support Board members and committees on methodologies, resources, and tools for fundraising efforts, particularly for capital and endowment campaigns and special projects.

Serve as the lead point person on ongoing and future capital and endowment campaigns. Seek new sources of funding to support institutional initiatives.

Maintain personal portfolio of major gift donors and negotiate gift agreements in collaboration with theatre’s legal counsel.

Maintain relationships and network with donors and prospects through visits, events, correspondence, and regular calls. Determine and fulfill donor and sponsor benefits throughout the season.

Become familiar and comply with all HR requirements in hiring, supervising and managing staff. Contribute to establishing an institutional culture of respect and ethical behavior. Foster partnership and collaboration internally and externally.

Supervise the preparation of timely, accurate, and relevant proposals, presentations, and other fundraising materials for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.  Provide development data for marketing materials, grants and other reports or materials as needed.

Be an advocate for IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) work in philanthropy and performing arts structures. 

Inspire engagement of Asolo Rep staff, artists, Board members, and outside supporters through professional, articulate, enthusiastic, and informed leadership. Demonstrate stewardship and serve as an effective ambassador to the local and national community.

Attend at least one performance of every Asolo Rep and FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training production.

Other duties as appropriate or assigned.

Experience:

• Minimum seven years of development experience with at least five years in a management/leadership position.
• Proven success at organizing fundraising programs, meeting and exceeding revenue goals and soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Proven successful interactions with Boards and a diverse array of community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success leading development teams and collaborating with other departments.
• Excellent computer/technology skills, especially in Outlook, Word and Excel, and preferably in PowerPoint and social media platforms.
• Experience using a CRM database, preferably Tessitura or similar software.
• Experience in an arts environment preferred.
• Knowledge of the Sarasota/Manatee communities is a plus, but not required.

Qualities/Attributes: 

• Effective and enthusiastic communicator with a broad spectrum of individuals.
• Inspirational leader for board members and departmental employees.
• Highly organized and dedicated team player.
• Passion for and understanding of theatre.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Ability to prepare and analyze budgets and spreadsheet data.
• Resilient, adaptable and collaborative.
• Sense of humor and positive attitude.

Asolo Rep provides contributions to health and dental insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan and paid vacation and sick leave. Vision, disability and other policies are also available. The theatre provides a diverse, congenial, and supportive environment conducive to professional growth.

Asolo Repertory Theatre is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status.