Director of Development
Ardea Arts • Full-Time
http://www.Ardeaarts.com
New York, NY

ABOUT Ardea Arts Inc.
Ardea Arts is a non-profit development and producing organization dedicated to creating and performing new opera and musical theatre works. Ardea Arts is an incubator of new opera works whose goal is to redefine American opera within a contemporary framework. Our mission is to bring opera to a widely diverse audience of all ages in the form of new and original works that are accessible yet challenging. We work with exciting, unexpected artists who speak to audiences through the media of opera: music, words, theater, and visuals. We strive to involve the community to the greatest extent possible in the process and performance of our works.
 
These opera-musicals embrace our indigenous vernacular; bursting forth with our own cultures. They resonate with our own languages. They enchant, challenge, and inspire multi-generational audiences. These works make us laugh, cry, and acknowledge who we are. These are the same ideas that inspired the beginnings of opera back in 1590 and these are the ideas we strive to recapture in new works by composers, writers, and artists today.
 
 
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Development at Ardea Arts reports to the Executive & Artistic Director to raise funds for the company. This position plays a vital role in developing sophisticated contributed revenuestrategies, as well as actively soliciting funds that will impact the growth of the non-profit organization over the next five years. The Director of Development is charged with conceptualizing and implementing a strategy forbuilding the donor base and charitable giving; growing community involvement; increasing corporate interaction and philanthropy; and identifying and maximizing granting opportunities.
 
The overarching challenge for the new Director of Development will be to create and execute a successful fundraising program that raises significant dollars and builds visibility for the company. He/she will be responsible for the direction, planning, and implementation of an annual, endowment, and planned giving program, including the stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation of donors and prospects for Ardea Arts. He/she will work closely with regional, and national foundations, corporate, government, andindividual funders to identify and grow the resources to support Ardea Arts' artistic vision and strategic organizational development.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include the following duties, including the ability to work evening and weekend hours:

• Develop strategy for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors.
• Maintain a portfolio of key donors and work with the Executive Director to cultivate relationships with donors
• Supervise the research, writing, and submission of grants proposals and applications.
• Identify and solicit corporate gift and partnership opportunities.
• Oversee coordination of fundraising and related events.
• Supervise the maintenance of database of current and prospective donors, and ensure data confidentiality and security.
• Become involvedin the local community and develop a rapport with local, state, and other legislators and key players.
• Report on development activities to the Board of Trustees.
• Embrace other duties as needed.

 
TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Ardea Arts seeks an energetic, entrepreneurial individual as Director of Development. The successful candidate needs to be a “people person” who can work independently within a frequently changing creative environment and achieve goals. The Director of Development should be “customer focused” and possess strong, persuasive interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to articulate compelling messages for support that generate enthusiasm and commitment among stakeholders. He/she will have frequent interaction with others and must work collaboratively with all levels of staff, interns, donors, and prospective donors.
 
The Director of Development should have the capacity to embrace challenges and thrive in an entrepreneurial environment where creative ideas and close collegial relationships are appreciated. This important member of the team must have exceptional organizational, problem solving, and administrative skills, with the ability to plan, set goals and objectives, organize, and follow through, valuing practical accomplishments, results, and rewards. He/she must have a strong sense of self-management, with an outstanding ability to set priorities and complete multiple tasks simultaneously. The successful candidate should demonstrate an ability to initiate and sustain momentum without close supervision.
 
QUALIFICATIONS
A Bachelor's degree is required, with a number of years of increasing responsibility and proven success in a fundraising role within an arts organization. Opera and/or performing arts experience is highly desirable. A proven track record in the identification, cultivation, and stewardship of donors and potential donors at all levels is a necessity, along with the ability to conceptualize and implement special events.
 
Excellent interpersonal and teambuilding skills are required, as are good computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), donor database software (eTapestry) and use of internet-based tools for research.
 
APPLICATIONS AND INQUIRIES
Send cover letter and resume outlining demonstrable accomplishments and a verifiable track record of results to:
 
Ardea Arts / Family Opera Initiative
Marshall Ford | Director Project Management
mford@ardeaarts.com