Director of Development

Hours: Full-Time, Monday-Friday, with some evenings and weekends.

POSITION SUMMARY

Imagination Stage seeks a dynamic leader and results-driven development professional to serve as our next Director of Development. The organization is at a defining moment, honoring five decades of community impact. The Director of Development will be a key member of Imagination Stage’s senior management team, working closely with the Chief Managing Officer, Chief Artistic Programming Officer, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Board of Trustees, to gain greater community awareness and financial support for Imagination Stage. As we capitalize on the lead-up to our 50th anniversary celebration in 2030, they will lead campaign implementation while functioning as the organization’s primary solicitor for major individual funders and external spokesperson for the organization. The position will serve as an integral co-leader in developing, implementing, and monitoring the institution’s long‑range resourcing strategies, as well as its annual contributed revenue, philanthropic activities and special events. This includes personal responsibility for major donor prospecting, cultivation, and solicitation of individuals and businesses (currently $600K), and overseeing special events, development operations, and institutional giving (currently $1.5 million), all towards capturing opportunities to increase current donor participation and diversify funding sources. This role will lead and work collaboratively with a dedicated team (currently 3 and growing), in partnership with executive leadership, to grow our annual fundraising yield from $2 to $4 million over 5 years.

ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Development will work collaboratively with the Imagination Stage team to advance its mission and goals while embodying its core values. Time will be split about 75/25 between the major gift officer (driving and executing major and corporate gifts and planned giving) and departmental leader (guiding the annual fund, institutional giving, development operations, and special events) responsibilities. Other essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

MAJOR GIFT OFFICER (75%)

Serve as the primary relationship manager and solicitor for the 50th Anniversary Campaign, stewarding a prospect pipeline from identification through close across individuals, corporations, and foundations Personally lead the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a portfolio of major gifts and planned gifts from individuals and institutional partners. Cultivate multi‑generational donor relationships that reflect Imagination Stage's 50‑year presence in the community and make a compelling case for its next chapter. Develop significant fundraising opportunities and contacts throughout the Washington DC region. Work closely with the Chief Managing Officer to steward the organization's board members and most generous donors. Ensure the development and maintenance of a giving pipeline, moving donors from the membership program to major and planned giving. Manage and continuously improve our program for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of existing as well as prospective major donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.

DEPARTMENTAL LEADER (25%)

Serve as principal fundraising strategist and development officer for Imagination Stage. Lead campaign infrastructure in partnership with the CMO and Board, including gift tables, naming opportunities, donor recognition, and the campaign case for support. Partner with and coach the Chief Managing Officer and Board Members to maximize fundraising effectiveness, including preparing and supporting board members for specific campaign asks. Advise, prepare, and support the Chief Managing Officer, Chief Artistic Programming Officer, and Board Members to maximize the effectiveness of Imagination Stage’s fundraising and community outreach efforts. Prepare the Development department's strategic plan with short- and long‑range goals aligned to both annual revenue targets and campaign milestones to meet Imagination Stage’s funding and advancement objectives. Hire, manage, develop, and evaluate development staff and consultants, including currently a Development Manager and Development Coordinator, and a grant writing firm. Establish development policies, systems, and procedures, with a special emphasis on ethical standards for soliciting and reporting gifts and for exceeding the expectations of individual, corporate, foundation, and government donors. Prepare and administer department budget, projecting and monitoring goals for both revenue and expense. Represent Imagination Stage at development‑related community events. Coordinate with Marketing Department staff to ensure integrated marketing and development activities and to produce website and print materials that enhance Imagination Stage’s image and promote its fundraising activities and mission-based impact. Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to develop campaign‑specific storytelling — connecting 50 years of organizational history to a bold vision for the future — across print, digital, and event contexts. With the Development Manager and Chief Managing Officer, supervise the planning and execution of benefit events such as galas or auctions, and provide direction and oversight to ensure maximum net financial and institutional results from such efforts. Ensure the appropriate use of donor software, securing donor privacy, data accuracy, and timeliness of reporting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Demonstrated success in soliciting and securing major gifts from individual and institutional funders. Creative, energetic, and entrepreneurial. Able to provide strategic philanthropic leadership at a time when Imagination Stage is expanding its mission reach and institutional influence. Highly skilled and effective communicator with a demonstrated history of success working with a wide range of people. Superior organizational and planning skills. Ability to lead and inspire corporate and individual donors, volunteers, colleagues and staff to advance Imagination Stage. Savvy and smart with a sense of humor and a commitment to team‑based management and the engagement and involvement of volunteer leadership. Desire to work in a fast‑paced, open‑office environment with regular interaction with many stakeholders. Must have a sophisticated understanding of the tools of fundraising and community partnerships. Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access and an appetite for imbuing these values into development practices.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, and a minimum of 5–8 years of front‑line development and/or community relations experience in a nonprofit arts organization. Successful track record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding five and six‑figure gifts. Experience leading or playing a senior role in a comprehensive, capital, or anniversary campaign, with demonstrated ability to execute against an established campaign framework preferred. Supervisory experience is preferred. Experience working directly with members of a governing board of trustees. Background in the arts, youth development, education, or as an arts consumer is preferable. Familiarity with the greater Washington DC philanthropic community a strong plus. Knowledge of contact management systems, databases, research, or other donor relations tools, preferably Tessitura, is preferable.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Generous Paid Time Off Free and reduced‑priced tickets, classes, and summer camps Imagination Stage celebrates diversity, is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values members of our whole community and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Imagination Stage