Development Director - Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center seeks a Development Director and has developed a revised job profile to reflect the growth and maturation of the organization. The Development Director will head up a growing department that supports the full range of development activities for this premier Berkshire organization with a $2 million annual operating budget.



The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center: Mission

The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is the leading year-round presenter of performing arts, film, and educational programs for The Berkshires and neighboring communities. Through programs of the highest quality in dance, music, theatre and opera, we ensure a diversity of talent on the stage of our restored historic theater, at ticket prices affordable to our community that appeal to all ages and interests.



The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center: Background

Today’s Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center was formed as a non-profit organization in 2002, but its story began in 1904, when a coalition of businessmen orchestrated construction of the Mahaiwe Theater and the adjoining Mahaiwe Block. “Mahaiwe” (pronounced Muh-HAY-We) means “the place downstream” from the Housatonic River and is derived from the Berkshires’ original Mahican settlers. It was designed by architect Joseph McArthur Vance and opened in 1905 presenting a wide variety of live performances among them John Philip Sousa and vaudeville acts. Silent films came around in 1914, followed by “talkies” in 1929. In the early ‘30s, the theater saw its first renovation, downsizing to 750 seats, and a shift in focus to movies.

Through all its permutations, the theater has continuously run programs since its opening 112 years ago. In 2003 renovation began under the direction of renowned architect Hugh Hardy and the Mahaiwe’s present leadership. Together, the Board and staff raised and invested over $9 million for the restoration project, upgrading infrastructure from floor to roof, including reconstruction of the original 1930s marquee. The building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With comfortable seating and changes for the projection booth and accessibility ramp, the theater now seats just under 700. Work was completed in time for a Centennial Celebration in 2005.

Since then, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center has steadily presented a year-round schedule of thoughtful music, dance, theatre, opera, talks, and movie classics. The Mahaiwe’s live performances inspire tens of thousands of audience members each year, its family and educational events have become vital to the region, and together with its live High Definition satellite broadcasts they enhance the quality of life for all those who reside in and visit the Berkshires.

For more information, please view the Mahaiwe’s Facebook page and its website at www.mahaiwe.org.



Opportunities

This is a very exciting time for the Mahaiwe. It is a beloved and well respected organization with diverse programming that holds a unique position in the region. It is debt free, on solid financial ground having raised significant dollars for capital renovation and has achieved balanced operating budgets annually for several years. The theater is booked 140 nights a year. Its board of directors is active, passionate about the organization and ready to partner with the new Development Director on enhancing revenues. In addition, it has an enthusiastic donor base that supports its programs. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who would like to lead an eager and prepared team to build on the success of the Mahaiwe and take it forward.



Role of the Development Director

The Development Director reports to the Executive Director and collaborates closely with the Chair of the Board and staffs the Development Committee. S/he will supervise a part time Development Coordinator and a full time Development Assistant. The new Development Director will join a strong, experienced team partnering with the Marketing Manager, General Manager, Production & Facilities Manager and Theater Operations Manager who work together to plan and execute the Mahaiwe’s operations and programs. The culture is informal and supportive.

The Development Director will oversee the planning and operations of the Development Department. The department is responsible for raising funds each year through a variety of strategies: major gifts, annual membership, corporate partnerships, public and foundation grants, a major gala and special development initiatives. The Development Director will be specifically responsible for cultivating relationships with major donors as well as partnering with board members to expand the Mahaiwe’s supporters. S/he will ensure that effective systems are in place to provide appropriate recognition and reporting of gifts and to manage effective and timely communication with donors and prospects at all levels of giving. Close cooperation will be maintained with the Marketing Manager to align messaging and strategies in print and electronic media. As part of the senior management team, the Development Director will be an active ambassador for the Mahaiwe in its surrounding communities.



The responsibilities of the Development Director are:

? Develop a comprehensive development plan that includes strategies, timelines, benchmarks and goals in close collaboration with the Executive Director and the Development Committee.



? Oversee the implementation of the development plan in partnership with the Executive Director, the management team and the Development Committee, providing leadership, inspiration and strategy for successful achievement of goals.

? Take the lead in cultivating and deepening individual donors’ interest in and giving to the Mahaiwe in a variety of ways, assigning stewardship roles to the Executive Director and Board members as appropriate.

? Work closely with the Chair of the Development Committee to convene meetings, activate committee’s actions and expand its influence.

? Host individual events as appropriate for acknowledging donors, cultivating interest and increasing revenues.

? Establish professional contacts in the area to assist donors in their planned giving.

? Set strategic direction for the annual gala to be managed by outside consultant and

Development Coordinator, secure sponsorship and create systems for maximizing impact.

? Deploy information from PatronManager database to enhance cultivation and fundraising strategies.

? Attend major events at the theater on weekends and evenings to introduce them, meet and greet audience members and donors.

? Explore new strategies for revenue generation whether earned or contributed.

? Oversee and refine the annual membership drive managed by Development staff

including retention and upgrade strategies.

? Oversee institutional giving including securing business sponsorships, researching and writing grant proposals to public agencies, corporations and foundations.

? Maintain a flexible work schedule to support the needs of the Development department during times of high work volume.

? Demonstrate discretion and decorum in communications and maintain confidentiality with unquestionable integrity.



The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have 5 years of successful fundraising experience preferably with individual giving as an emphasis. S/he will have a background in or a strong commitment to the performing arts. S/he will be a bright, lively self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills who is comfortable working in teams. The successful candidate will be a good manager who knows how to foster team spirit and inspire committees and staff to collaborate to produce effective results.



In addition, the ideal candidate will have:

? Strong organizational and analytical skills.

? Excellent communication skills both spoken and written.

? Creative problem solving skills with an optimistic can-do attitude.

? A warm and outgoing personality that is flexible and able to adapt to a broad variety of

situations, people and opportunities.

? Excellent listening skills; a facilitator of conversation; good relationship builder.

? A good understanding of social media strategies and comfort with electronic

communication in multiple forms.

? A healthy respect for the micro detail level work required in tracking, acknowledging and communicating with donors.

? Experience working collaboratively with boards and committees. ?

? An ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously while setting priorities.

? Success in soliciting corporations, foundations and government agencies is a plus.

? An understanding of the role of communications and marketing in positioning the

Mahaiwe.

? A good sense of humor with a strong work ethic.

? Familiarity with the greater Berkshire region and living and working in rural New England is a plus.?



REQUIREMENTS: A BA is required; additional professional training is expected.?Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Outlook; PatronManager experience is a plus.



COMPENSATION: ?The position offers a competitive salary and benefit package. ?



START DATE: May 2017



The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is an equal opportunity employer. INQUIRIES AND NOMINATIONS should be directed in confidence to: ?

Jennifer Dowley, principal, Dowley Associates jd@dowleyassociates.com · 413-441-0521 ?



APPLICATIONS: email a resume and cover letter indicating interest, qualifications specific to this position, and a list of three references no later than April 15, 2017 to:?jd@dowleyassociates.com?

Subject line: Mahaiwe