Director of Development & Communications

The Theater Offensive (TTO) seeks a dedicated Director of Development and Communications (DDC) who will hold a key leadership position in an innovative, growing, queer cultural organization, tightly focused in Boston’s neighborhoods. TTO also plays a leadership role in national cultural organizing and dialogue. The successful DDC candidate will have at least 5 years of experience leading fundraising efforts in a non-profit organization. The candidate will also have strong aptitude for connecting communities across race, sexuality, gender, and class. 

The Theater Offensive is an equal opportunity employer. People of Color, members of the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, trans, gender non conforming and women-identified candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

About The Theater Offensive 

The Theater Offensive is a social change organization focused on queer and trans people of color (QTPOC) and their allies that uses theater and the creative process as a cultural organizing tool. Founded in 1989 by a group of artist-activists, TTO grew out of a queer street theater troupe in Boston. Throughout its history, TTO has used bold art to challenge the status quo and help LGBTQ individuals break through personal isolation. TTO is at a pivotal moment in its history, with new shared organizational leadership, a new staffing structure, a new mission, and a new strategic plan. 

This is a great moment of discovery and the organization is looking for candidates interested in creating a QTPOC organizational culture that centers our 5 core values: OUTness, Design Justice, Shared Power, Youth Leadership, and Experimentation and Innovation. 

The next few years of our strategic plan focuses on research, discovery, planning, transformation, and legacy. The new mission will guide the organization forward: to present liberating art by, for, and about queer and trans people of color that transcends artistic boundaries, celebrates cultural abundance, and dismantles oppression.

Position Description

The Director of Development and Communications (DDC) reports to the Producing Co-Executive Director, Harold Steward. The (DDC) plays a key role in the organization, steering The Theater Offensive's fundraising and communications efforts. This includes overseeing and managing fund development, foundations, major donor relations, and events, as well as communications and marketing. The DDC is responsible for duties pertaining to all TTO development efforts, including both annual fund efforts and a capital campaign, currently in its quiet phase. This role will supervise a team comprised of: Development and Communications Coordinator, Development Associate, and consultants. 

The successful candidate will bring a strong interest in the mission of The Theater Offensive and an entrepreneurial spirit that will help to fulfill it. 

Abilities and Qualities:

Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.
Track record of success in achieving fundraising goals for a $1 million dollar organization;
Capital Campaign experience;
Experience in cost-effectively managing fundraising events and programs;
Proven ability to maintain poise and to manage multiple assignments efficiently;
Must be a strong writer;
Articulate and willing to serve as a public figure for the organization;
Ability to build partnerships and gain consensus with co-workers, volunteer leaders and peers;
Highly organized and detail-oriented;
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, CRM databases, and social media;
Track record of successful supervision of staff and volunteers 
ANNUAL FUND

Creating, maintaining and executing TTO’s development calendar, including:

Setting goals in each income category for $1.5M+ organizational budget 
Managing Annual Fund efforts, particularly major donors, individual giving, appeals, and events
Building and maintain relationships with foundations; overseeing grant workflow and calendar, delegating grant responsibilities among Development team; writing and producing grants as appropriate
Reviewing all grants prior to submission
Cultivating corporate partnerships 
Envisioning and Overseeing fundraising events
Ensuring timely stewardship of gifts
Managing TTO Donor Data, including:

Supervising team to ensure accuracy of all donor records
Utilizing donor data to make informed decisions about cultivation strategy
Tracking progress to development goals
Supporting TTO leadership in their development efforts

Researching and identifying major donor prospects
Serving as staff liaison to Board Development Committee
Working with Leadership Team to cultivate new multi-year pledges from donors and board members
CAMPAIGN WORK

Campaign materials

Collaborating with team and consultants to create all Campaign collateral
Maintaining and creating action plans for Campaign prospect lists
Ensuring timely and appropriate stewardship
COMMUNICATIONS

Prepare and implement a communications and marketing plan that incorporates social media, paid and earned media, direct mail and advertising to increase public awareness about TTO.
Work with staff to maintain a visually appealing and user-friendly website, Facebook and Instagram accounts and monthly e-newsletters that promote TTO programs and events.
Conduct outreach to media contacts with focus on securing media opportunities.
Represent and advocate for TTO with media and community groups, acting as a spokesperson to diverse audiences. 
With staff, set the direction for a coherent public identity and message.
Educate supporters and the public on the mission and programs of TTO
Enhance existing relationships and explore additional opportunities with key partners (e.g. other arts organizations) to further TTO’s program offerings
Assume leadership in the Massachusetts cultural community
Mentor other staff in areas of outreach and advocacy, through modeling and supervision
Attend selected board meetings and committee meetings
Produce an annual report at the conclusion of each fiscal year.
Other qualifications include the ability to:

Work independently on specific projects
Communicate effectively with donors and volunteers
Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with TTO staff and community members
Effectively advocate for the mission of TTO

The candidate for this position will be highly organized, detailed oriented and have the ability to work competently and efficiently in a multi-task environment. They must have a firm knowledge of grammar, spelling and punctuation, with the ability to accurately proofread and edit correspondence.  

They must be willing to work occasionally during evening and weekend hours. Strong interpersonal skills, excellent phone manners and personal presentation are extremely important, as is the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on a team. This position will supervise two full time staff members, as well as consultants and interns within the department.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2020

Start Date: April 2020 (tentative, can be negotiated) 

Position Type: Director Level, Full-Time, Exempt 

Compensation:  $75 - 80K, commensurate with experience