Job Title:                              Development Director

Department:                       Development / Full Time

Reports To:                         Executive Director

Position:

Junior Players is a 503(c) arts organization and is the oldest non-profits children’s theater organization in Dallas. Since its founding in 1955, Junior Players has provided quality fine arts education programs to children across North Texas. Junior Players serves over 15,000 students annually as we fulfill our mission to “Empower Young Voices”. This position is responsible for fundraising, grants, and financial development.

Responsibilities, Functions, and Duties:

• Hire, coach, performance manage, and review the grant writing consulting firm. Ensure that grants are timely submitted. Research grant opportunities and steward private foundation grants. Collaborate with the Programs Department to address any issues with grant fulfillment with the underwriter.
• Work with the Executive Director to set annual goals for all aspects of the organization’s annual funding goals, including North Texas Giving Day, development events, grants, and individual and corporate giving.
• Create strategic and tactical plans that meaningfully cultivate, engage and motivate donors to meet all annual funding goals.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Operations Department to produce and evaluate reports that measure strategy effectiveness on a regular basis. Project and manage fundraising expenses.
• Represent Junior Players at events as required. Make “the ask” pitches to audiences, special interest members, and the community at large.
• Assist with special projects, including the Annual Gala.
• Collaborate with the Communications Department on promotional materials and events.
• Lead event management for fundraising events such as North Texas Giving Day, Young Professionals events, Parties with a Purpose, Wine Tasting, and other events.
• Assist the Executive Director with government relations strategies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Skill Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience leading fundraising initiatives for non-profits with a budget of at least $1M
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills
• Excellent influential skills; this role is responsible for communicating compelling reasons for individual, institutional, and corporate giving
• Intermediate expertise with the MS Office Suite

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

This role is based in the Junior Players’ office in Dallas. A valid drivers license and acceptable MVR are required since this job requires travel to donor events. Evening and weekend work may be required. Work is conducted in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment. The ability to manage stress, build professional and collaborative relationships, and reason through complex business situations is essential.

Benefits:

• Salary commensurate with experience
• Reimbursement for all travel expenses related to Junior Players programs
• Travel expenses related to traveling to and from the office will not be reimbursed
• Reimbursement for all work-related expenses (subject to approval by the Operations and Development Director)
• Exposure to Dallas arts leaders, administrators and elected officials
• Experience in the inner workings of a large scale nonprofit
• Playing an integral role in transforming the lives of North Texas youth

Junior Players is committed to diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or military status in any of its activities or operations.

Junior Players was founded in 1955, and is the oldest non-profit children's theater organization in Dallas. Over its existence, Junior Players has striven to meet the changing needs of the community. From 1955 to 1989, Junior Players presented traditional children's theater productions performed entirely by children and teenagers. In 1989, the Board of Directors changed the focus of Junior Players activities, deciding that, Junior Players can best serve the youth of Dallas by providing free programming accessible to all the children of North Texas. Junior Players, therefore, exclusively provides free arts education programs in local recreation and cultural centers, housing projects, elementary, middle and high schools, and through social service agencies serving youth at risk.

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to Abby Stigler at abby@juniorplayers.org