Paid Deputy Director of Development, Major Gifts and Communications Signature Theatre Arlington, VA

Deputy Director of Development, Major Gifts and Communications The Deputy Director of Development, Major Gifts and Communications oversees a comprehensive communications project portfolio for the Development department and represents a unique opportunity to play a key role with multiple departments in achieving theatre-wide communications goals with multiple constituencies. This position is integral to Signature’s effort to cultivate, inspire, solicit, and steward contributed revenue for the institution, across diverse stakeholders. The role is responsible for collaboratively developing and implementing communications for the development department, supervising projects, creating content, streamlining activities, and establishing and upholding consistent editorial standards. This role will also manage the identification, research, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift prospects and donors including annual, special project, and capital campaign support for Signature Theatre and will work with the Development Operations Manager in supervising the moves management system for prospects and donors. This role will work closely with a team of frontline fundraisers to design and implement solicitation plans for major gift prospects as well as set and achieve goals for expectancies created and realized and provide input in other fundraising areas as part of the larger development team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

COMMUNICATIONS

In collaboration with the frontline fundraising team, coordinate the overall development communications portfolio for organizational initiatives, priorities, and campaigns. Create content (i.e., writer, editor) for development communications, including grant writing and institutional giving collateral, direct mail or other letters, email, blog posts, social media campaigns, and other projects. Deliverables include grant and sponsorship proposals and reports; fundraising collateral materials; program descriptions; executive remarks; video scripts; and other projects as needed. Oversee and manage development communications content generated by other departments, as appropriate, including projects related to donor stewardship and engagement. Liaise with appropriate staff colleagues on projects. Create content for select institution-wide communications projects that are related to philanthropy or intended for donors. Deliverables may include articles, speeches, web content, brochures, or other projects that describe programs, performances, events, artists, festivals, or initiatives. Liaise with the Signature administrative leadership, artistic leadership, and other department leadership and staff on project development, research, data collection, and analysis. Review and edit development communications and institution-wide communications to ensure accurate and appropriate messaging to and for the donor constituency.

MAJOR GIFTS

Identify, evaluate, cultivate and solicit major gift donors for annual, special project, and capital campaign support for Signature Theatre. Work with (solicit, stewardship, etc.) 50+ major donors ($5,000+) and prospects/upgrade candidates to realize their full philanthropic potential to Signature. Develop and execute cultivation plans for major gift prospects. This includes creating opportunities to meet with administrative, artistic and staff leadership, as well as visiting artists. Prepare and present a minimum of 20 proposals annually and assist in the preparation of stewardship reports for all major gift donors within his/her portfolio. Work with development colleagues to identify and qualify a minimum of 100 new/discovery major gift prospects annually. Achieve annual revenue goals for areas of responsibilities. Collaborate with the development team on all fundraising strategy and solicitation. Engage the senior and other staff in the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors, and actively support their involvement Maintain accurate, up-to-date tracking of all major gift prospects and donors and appropriate documentation of all gifts Recruit, train and manage fundraising volunteers, as needed Manage special projects as assigned by the Director of Advancement and Planning. Attend and assist with development-related events including evenings and weekends. Other duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This role reports to the Director of Advancement and Planning with close collaboration with the other Deputy Directors of Development, the Marketing team and Senior Staff. Other contacts include donors, donor prospects, community members, board of trustees, artists and staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

1. A minimum of five years increasingly responsible development experience. Experience in a performing arts organization preferred.
2. Proven track record with personal solicitations and relationship management.
3. Grantwriting and development communication skills
4. The ability to work autonomously while keeping direct supervisory and volunteers apprised of issues, problems, opportunities and progress.
5. Ability to work collaboratively to create a results-driven, team oriented environment.
6. Excellent writing and communication skills.
7. Computer literacy, including word-processing, database, and spreadsheet proficiency. Tessitura experience preferred.

Compensation AND BENEFITS The Deputy Director of Development, Major Gifts and Communications position offers an annual salary in the mid to high $80s and an excellent package of benefits, including medical, dental, disability and life insurance; paid vacation, sick and parental leave; as well as complimentary and discount tickets. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position at 40 hours per week. This position is based at Signature Theatre’s administrative offices in Arlington, VA, with the possibility for a hybrid in person/remote schedule. Signature Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer who celebrates diversity and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Signature Theatre is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

DURATION

Oct 1, 2026 -

SALARY

$84,000.00 – $89,000.00 per year

NON-UNION

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