Director of Philanthropy - The Richmond Ballet

Warren Whitney•Richmond, VA

21d•$115,000 - $125,000

About The Position

The Richmond Ballet (The Ballet) is actively seeking a new Director of Philanthropy to support its mission to awaken, uplift, and unite human spirits through the power of dance. Led by Artistic Director Ma Cong, a bold and inspiring artist and choreographer, the Ballet is dedicated to delivering exceptional performances, dance training for all ages, and community engagement programs through educational initiatives. This position represents a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community by harnessing the transformative power of dance. The Richmond Ballet seeks to elevate its artistic presence and aims to strengthen community ties, making the role of the Director of Philanthropy vital for its future growth and success. THE RICHMOND BALLET The Richmond Ballet, designated as the State Ballet of Virginia in 1990, celebrated its 40th year as a fully professional company and has a rich history that began in 1957 as a civic organization. Today, the Richmond Ballet flourishes with a diverse repertory that encompasses both classic masterpieces and over 90 contemporary ballets created by international choreographers. On tour, the Company has performed at the Joyce Theatre in New York, Charleston's Gaillard Theatre, and Wolf Trap. Its international debut in London marked a significant milestone, followed by a successful tour to China in 2015. The School of Richmond Ballet trains more than 800 students of all ages each year and runs a pre-professional training program which attracts aspiring dancers from all over the country. Community engagement is a vital part of the education arm of Richmond Ballet. The only program of its kind in the Commonwealth, Richmond Ballet's signature Minds in Motion (MIM) breaks down barriers to arts education and gives youth the opportunity to discover themselves and build community through creative expression. The Ballet operates primarily from its own 51,000 square foot building in downtown Richmond and has an annual budget of approximately $6.5 million, with 65 full-time regular and 75 seasonal staff. For more information, please visit https://richmondballet.com/ .

Requirements

This position requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in a senior-level development role for a nonprofit, preferably in the Arts.
Proven record of achieving established fundraising goals, using traditional and new design methods, for securing major gifts, increasing gift levels from a long-standing donor base, and expanding the network of supporters, both individual and corporate gifts.
Ability to lead, manage, and inspire a team of onsite employees and remote contractors.
Ability to cultivate Board members and deepen relationships.
Demonstrated ability to build philanthropic relationships with individuals and organizations and positively represent the Ballet.
A high degree of interpersonal effectiveness to build collaborative and trusting relationships with all stakeholders.
Effective communication style and active listening skills.
A collaborative and collegial relationship style, and an ability to share credit for successes with Board members and staff.
Must be able to make presentations easily to a small or large group.
Proficiency in database management and segmentation, with thorough knowledge of all Microsoft Office suite programs.
Proficiency in SharePoint and CRM, preferably Neon.
Excellent planning and organizational skills.
Attention to detail with an ability to prioritize projects and processes in a logical and effective manner.
Basic command of financial accounting and the ability to oversee budgeting and forecasting procedures for the development department.

Responsibilities

In partnership with the Executive Director, Ma Cong, Board of Directors, and Development teams, design and implement a comprehensive multi-year development strategy to increase annual revenue and grow the Ballet's impact.
Create strategies and campaigns to significantly increase giving and identify new sources of major corporation, foundation, and individual donors; and cultivate those relationships.
Lead the development team, including the Director of Major Gifts & Donor Relations and one contracted Grant Writer, an Events coordinator, and Data Management Consultant.
Establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, quality, creativity, and teamwork.
Act as an ambassador for the Ballet by attending performances, fundraising events, and key high-profile events in the community to cultivate relationships with donors and prospects.
Effectively manage the budget and forecast of revenue and expenses for all contributed revenue.
Work with leadership to determine the timing and nature of future Capital Campaigns.