Chief Advancement Officer

Seattle Rep•Seattle, WA

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

SEATTLE REP is seeking a Chief Advancement Officer that will lead, support, and inspire a talented team of 11 development professionals responsible for raising $7.5 million annually, while also advancing comprehensive contributed revenue efforts spanning major, principal, and planned giving; annual fund; corporate and foundation partnerships; events; and future campaign investments. With Act II of the Campaign for Seattle Rep on the horizon, this leader will play a defining role in shaping the vision, strategy, and execution of an historic philanthropic effort. The position requires an accomplished closer, a relationship-builder, and a collaborative strategist who thrives in a creative environment and embraces the diverse cultures and communities that define Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. The Chief Advancement Officer will have the following primary responsibilities: Fundraising Leadership In collaboration with the Reps executive team, establish a long-term fundraising vision and create a multi-year campaign strategy to meet organizational goals and ambitions. Create strategy and tactics to meet multi-year non-operational fundraising goals, including but not limited to the Artistic Investment Fund, the upcoming Act II of the Campaign for Seattle Rep, the endowment, and other capital projects and initiatives. Lead the implementation of a modernized annual fund strategy that diversifies revenue streams beyond the traditional subscriber base, strengthens donor retention and online giving systems, and ensures cross-departmental collaboration between the development, marketing, and patron services teams. Create a vision and fundraising strategy for Seattle Reps highly successful annual $1M+ gala. Design and execute elevated cultivation and stewardship events, such as artistic salons and travel opportunities. Continue to build and grow the donor base, in particular annual fund and institutional giving donors. Manage a portfolio of major donors, funders, and prospects, and also support executive leaders and other staff and volunteers in the management of their own portfolios, including assisting and advising, as needed, with cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and activities. Build a robust planned giving program to ensure future resources for the Theater and the endowment. Serve as advisor and strategic partner to members of the Development team, particularly in terms of prospecting and/or donor strategy. In collaboration with senior members of the Development team, ensure staff resources, workflow, and departmental and cross-departmental processes are utilized most efficiently and effectively to meet all contributed revenue goals, operational and otherwise. In collaboration and partnership with executive leaders, Trustees, volunteers, and staff, build relationships with donors and prospective donors to optimize engagement and influence greater investments. Oversee the development and execution of a best practice development infrastructure, including programs, policies, and procedures to ensure effectiveness and accountability across the system. Identify and capitalize on additional traditional and non-traditional opportunities to advance the organizations mission and further its financial position, including but not limited to resource development opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships. Board Relations Partner with the Managing Director in stewarding the Board family, including the Reps Board of Trustees and all auxiliary boards: the Advisory Council, Emeritus Board, Honorary Board, and the Seattle Rep Foundation Board. Collaborate with the Managing Director and members of the Board of Trustees to identify prospective Trustees who will build the diversity, skill set, audience development, and fundraising capacities of the Board. Lead development committees (i.e., Development Strategy, Campaign Cabinet, Gala, Gift Acceptance) and participate in other committees (Finance, etc.) as needed. Participate in creating, as needed, and managing activities with and communications to all auxiliary boards. Prepare and provide regular reports and presentations to the Board of Trustees regarding goals and revenue targets, strategies and tactics, and other aspects of the work. Management In partnership with senior members of the Development team, design, recruit, and provide leadership to a high-performing team of motivated development professionals with an appropriate balance of skills and experiences. Retain and inspire the Development team by ensuring a compassionate, joyful, and inclusive team culture and regularly offering professional development and training opportunities to improve staff skills. Ensure that internal culture, organizational structure, human and financial resources, technology, and operational plans are aligned with institutional contributed revenue expectations. Develop short and long-term goals for direct reports and create and implement effective performance evaluation metrics to ensure success. Internal and External Advocacy Promote and instill a culture of philanthropy across the entire organization by: Promoting a value for and an understanding of the impact of philanthropy on Seattle Rep; Clearly communicating funding priorities; Ensuring that all staff, volunteers, and team members are equipped with the appropriate tools and resources to support the organizations fundraising goals. Foster effective collaboration across the organization. Utilize and engage the Reps governing bodies and community partnerships to their fullest potential. Take an active role in Seattle Reps equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts, ensuring Seattle Reps anti-racist and inclusive practices are aligned with community needs. Support the institutional goals for equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the contributed revenue planning process. Stay abreast of industry trends and integrate best business practices into overall strategy and tactics. Seek out public speaking opportunities and effectively communicate the Reps mission, vision, values, and goals with credibility, passion, and enthusiasm. Embrace a robust schedule of attending performances, fundraising, engagement events, and other activities that support Seattle Reps goals and profile. Professionally represent Seattle Rep in the local, national, and international communities. Serve as an engaged member of the Senior Leadership team, participating in policy setting, long-range planning, and general leadership of the organization.

Requirements

Passionate, genuine commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Seattle Rep.
Minimum of seven to ten years of senior-level leadership experience in managing successful comprehensive fundraising teams, with a track record of building significant annual, major, principal, and planned gifts.
Significant achievement in the areas of major and principal giving, including the successful solicitation of six-figure gifts and greater.
Demonstrated success working collaboratively with boards and volunteers, including staffing and leading board committees.
Proven ability to hire, manage, motivate, and retain an advancement team that strives to achieve excellence and exceed goals.
Experience with planning and executing major multi-year campaigns.
A confident, proactive, goal-oriented, and ethical team builder with proven success in building collaborative, long-term relationships with senior teams, staff, boards, volunteers, and donors.
Excellent communication skills with persuasive ability, including strong written, verbal, and high-level presentation skills.
Excellent planning, project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Experience with Microsoft Office and donor management fundraising software applications.
Ability to travel as necessary and attend program and fundraising activities as needed, including evenings and weekends.
A strategic mindset, intellectual curiosity, and tenacious spirit.

Nice To Haves

Experience with a major arts and cultural institution or not-for-profit theater would be an advantage.
Experience with Tessitura would be a plus.
Personal warmth and a good sense of humor.

Responsibilities

Fundraising Leadership In collaboration with the Reps executive team, establish a long-term fundraising vision and create a multi-year campaign strategy to meet organizational goals and ambitions.
Create strategy and tactics to meet multi-year non-operational fundraising goals, including but not limited to the Artistic Investment Fund, the upcoming Act II of the Campaign for Seattle Rep, the endowment, and other capital projects and initiatives.
Lead the implementation of a modernized annual fund strategy that diversifies revenue streams beyond the traditional subscriber base, strengthens donor retention and online giving systems, and ensures cross-departmental collaboration between the development, marketing, and patron services teams.
Create a vision and fundraising strategy for Seattle Reps highly successful annual $1M+ gala.
Design and execute elevated cultivation and stewardship events, such as artistic salons and travel opportunities.
Continue to build and grow the donor base, in particular annual fund and institutional giving donors.
Manage a portfolio of major donors, funders, and prospects, and also support executive leaders and other staff and volunteers in the management of their own portfolios, including assisting and advising, as needed, with cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and activities.
Build a robust planned giving program to ensure future resources for the Theater and the endowment.
Serve as advisor and strategic partner to members of the Development team, particularly in terms of prospecting and/or donor strategy.
In collaboration with senior members of the Development team, ensure staff resources, workflow, and departmental and cross-departmental processes are utilized most efficiently and effectively to meet all contributed revenue goals, operational and otherwise.
In collaboration and partnership with executive leaders, Trustees, volunteers, and staff, build relationships with donors and prospective donors to optimize engagement and influence greater investments.
Oversee the development and execution of a best practice development infrastructure, including programs, policies, and procedures to ensure effectiveness and accountability across the system.
Identify and capitalize on additional traditional and non-traditional opportunities to advance the organizations mission and further its financial position, including but not limited to resource development opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships.
Partner with the Managing Director in stewarding the Board family, including the Reps Board of Trustees and all auxiliary boards: the Advisory Council, Emeritus Board, Honorary Board, and the Seattle Rep Foundation Board.
Collaborate with the Managing Director and members of the Board of Trustees to identify prospective Trustees who will build the diversity, skill set, audience development, and fundraising capacities of the Board.
Lead development committees (i.e., Development Strategy, Campaign Cabinet, Gala, Gift Acceptance) and participate in other committees (Finance, etc.) as needed.
Participate in creating, as needed, and managing activities with and communications to all auxiliary boards.
Prepare and provide regular reports and presentations to the Board of Trustees regarding goals and revenue targets, strategies and tactics, and other aspects of the work.
In partnership with senior members of the Development team, design, recruit, and provide leadership to a high-performing team of motivated development professionals with an appropriate balance of skills and experiences.
Retain and inspire the Development team by ensuring a compassionate, joyful, and inclusive team culture and regularly offering professional development and training opportunities to improve staff skills.
Ensure that internal culture, organizational structure, human and financial resources, technology, and operational plans are aligned with institutional contributed revenue expectations.
Develop short and long-term goals for direct reports and create and implement effective performance evaluation metrics to ensure success.
Promote and instill a culture of philanthropy across the entire organization by: Promoting a value for and an understanding of the impact of philanthropy on Seattle Rep; Clearly communicating funding priorities; Ensuring that all staff, volunteers, and team members are equipped with the appropriate tools and resources to support the organizations fundraising goals.
Foster effective collaboration across the organization.
Utilize and engage the Reps governing bodies and community partnerships to their fullest potential.
Take an active role in Seattle Reps equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts, ensuring Seattle Reps anti-racist and inclusive practices are aligned with community needs.
Support the institutional goals for equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the contributed revenue planning process.
Stay abreast of industry trends and integrate best business practices into overall strategy and tactics.
Seek out public speaking opportunities and effectively communicate the Reps mission, vision, values, and goals with credibility, passion, and enthusiasm.
Embrace a robust schedule of attending performances, fundraising, engagement events, and other activities that support Seattle Reps goals and profile.
Professionally represent Seattle Rep in the local, national, and international communities.
Serve as an engaged member of the Senior Leadership team, participating in policy setting, long-range planning, and general leadership of the organization.