Associate Director of Development

Description

Position Summary:
The Virginia Arts Festival is seeking an experienced development professional to drive our development efforts, with a specific focus on individual gift solicitation, donor stewardship, and donor cultivation. The Associate Director of Development works as a key member of the development team under the direction of the General Manager and Executive Director. The Development department is the primary source, other than ticket sales, for raising funds for the Virginia Arts Festival. The fundraising program consists of an ongoing Capital/Endowment Campaign and four areas from which the Development team solicits annual operating funds, including:
• Individual Donors
• Corporate Sponsorships
• Private Foundations (Grants)
• Government Support (City and State Agencies – funding generally achieved through
grants).

The Associate Director of Development is the primary staff person managing the overall portfolio of individual donors and cultivating relationships with individual donors, particularly major-gift and mid-level donors. S/he will manage a staff of three people, oversee fundraising toward the Annual Fund, participate in capital/endowment campaign activities, and be an important team member during the Festival season. The Associate Director of Development must maintain a very high level of thoroughness, accuracy, consistency, patience, and attention to detail. The successful candidate must be a forward thinking, experienced fundraising professional who can be highly collaborative with the executive leadership team and board members.

Job Duties

Qualifications:
• At least 3-5 years of experience in development, including personally soliciting funds and motivating others to solicit funds.
• Successful experience in working with volunteers, boards and committees.
• Possess a basic knowledge of database software and be proficient in Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to communicate and present effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Must have the ability to manage multiple projects with strong attention to detail.
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with the entire organization to achieve goals.
• Must be able to have flexible working hours, including evenings and weekends, particularly in the time period immediately prior to and during the annual Festival.

Skills Required

Principal Responsibilities:
• Develop and manage a personal portfolio of medium to high-level donors and prospects focused on building deep donor relationships with assigned individuals and organizations.
• Oversee portfolio management of all individual donors, serving as a key support to the Executive Director and General Manager’s highest-level donor portfolios.
• Oversee portfolios of Annual Fund Manager and Development Operations Manager focused on lower to medium level donors.
• Team leader of Annual Fund Manager, Development Operations Manager, and Special Events Coordinator focused on leading with supportive enthusiasm.
• Work closely with General Manager and Executive Director to ensure proper cultivation and stewardship activities across VAF’s donor and prospect portfolios.
• In conjunction with the General Manager, create and implement a comprehensive annual development plan to steward and solicit current donors, while working to increase giving level and cultivate new donors.
• Function as a major and planned gifts officer by ensuring that the external cultivation and stewardship of donors is adequate to meet or exceed the goals set forth in the annual plan, including proactive management of the Executive Director’s and General
Manager’s prospect meetings and solicitations.
• Responsible for assisting with the execution of a campaign effort, working in close conjunction with campaign counsel, General Manager, Executive Director, and volunteers.
• Oversee and effectively manage areas including (but not limited to) annual fund, planned giving, campaign fundraising, volunteer management, gift processing, donor database management, special events, and marketing efforts tied to fundraising activities, as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule

Work Schedule
Virginia Arts Festival hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A typical work schedule will
frequently extend beyond the traditional office hours to include evening and weekend
activities – particularly in the period immediately before and during the annual Festival
period (March – June).

Additional Info

Salary: $90,000 – $110,000 based on experience and qualifications. This is a full-time
position with benefits.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to azedd@vafest.org. No phone
calls, please. Recruitment will continue until the position is filled.