Associate Director for Institutional Giving

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Associate Director for Institutional Giving will manage the theater’s portfolio of corporate, foundation and government partners. The position is a key member of the Development Department, leading efforts in identifying new prospects, creating compelling cases for support, writing grant requests, driving cultivation strategies, managing a significant pipeline of existing grants and sponsorships, and preparing leadership for cultivation and stewardship meetings with institutional funders.

A successful candidate is a strong writer, able to prioritize multiple deadline-driven projects, gracefully adapt in high-pressure situations, enjoys a collaborative approach to their work, and is knowledgeable about researching institutional prospects and able to contribute to strategies for each prospect.

This is a full-time position (40 hours+ per week). Salary is competitive within the non-profit performing arts industry and commensurate with qualification and experience. Benefits package includes health, dental, vision, 403b, paid time off, life insurance, and commuter spending plan.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

CST is dedicated to increasing equity, diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs and in all our hiring for staff and artists. We are committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination. CST prohibits discrimination in employment against any employee or job applicant because of that person’s race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local human rights commission or any other legally protected status.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Grant Writing and Portfolio Management:

• Create compelling cases for institutional support

• Manage portfolio of all current institutional funders, as well as create strategy for increasing support across corporate, foundation and government (CFG) revenue streams including multi-year institutional gifts.

• Create and manage a grants calendar.

• Manage research on CFG funders and overall trends, with the goal of deepening existing relationships and uncovering new opportunities for local, regional, and national partnerships.

• Oversee maintenance of detailed, accurate systems and files in Tessitura and Asana to track contacts, submissions, and reporting deadlines.

• Brief CST staff and board leadership for meetings and site-visits.

• Support CST leadership in soliciting six-figure institutional donors and prospects

Stewardship and Events:

• Develop a sponsorship strategy to maximize production sponsorship opportunities for the theater

• Ensure the portfolio of corporate, foundation and government donors are well stewarded including creating ways to demonstrate impact. Help ensure that CST leadership forges strong relationships with key institutional partners.

•Track and fulfill benefits including discounted tickets, complimentary tickets, recognition, signage, and special events.

•Working with others in the Development Department, plan special events for CFG partners as part of their benefit fulfillment or to cultivate new partners.

•Partner with the Chief Development Officer in coordinating peer to peer events with Board members and their CFG colleagues and prospects.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Drives IDEA to Action platform by engaging in committees, events, training, and other initiatives as needed.

• Models CST’s core values of service, ingenuity, and collaboration as well as its customer service ethos.

• Champions the organization’s commitment to a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

• Possess an in-depth knowledge of all streams of Chicago Shakespeare programming and serve as an articulate, passionate representative for the theater and its artists.

• Seek out general operating and programmatic shifts throughout the season and communicates updates with key donors.

• Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong grant writing skills

• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, good business sense, and computer literacy

• Well-organized, able to plan and manage strategically, set priorities, and focus on details while not losing sight of the big picture, with the flexibility to welcome and embrace change, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced theater environment.

• Personable, positive, and diplomatic individual who displays integrity, an exceptional work ethic, and who collaborates effectively with trustees, donors, volunteers, and inside staff.

• Possess a passion for the performing arts, understand and support CST’s mission and can articulate this mission and role to others.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work hours are generally 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday
• Evening and weekend hours will be necessary.
• Worksite is primarily at the CST facilities on Navy Pier in Chicago, IL

PHYSICAL DEMAND

•  N/A

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Have, at minimum, a Baccalaureate degree, and 7-10 years progressive experience as a fundraising professional.
• Five or more years of grant writing experience
• Exposure cultivating and soliciting corporate, foundation and government funders.
• Have direct experience managing relationships with lead institutional donors.
• Experience with both large and small-scale grant/proposal submission
• Experience with relational database management systems; Tessitura experience preferred.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE           

• Possess expertise in and knowledge of recent funding trends and motivations in the giving arena.
• A working knowledge of the current national arts funder landscape is a plus.
• Corporate sponsorships experience a plus
• Special events experience a plus
• Background or education in theater or related area a plus

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.