AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

ABOUT THE CENTRE FOR THE LIVING ARTS:
Founded in 1999, the Centre for the Living Arts is a contemporary arts organization that operates the 16,000 SF Space 301 Gallery and Studio, in downtown Mobile, Alabama.
The CLA is focused on a quest to reinvent what a contemporary arts organization can be for our time. We aim to be a pivotal force in contemporary art for the Southeast by marshaling global talent to engage all sectors of the Mobile community in ideas that matter.

The CLA investigates themes and topics of particular relevance to the Gulf Coast, functions as a public forum, convener, and cultural broker, forming strategic alliances with other cultural, social, educational and civic institutions. The goal of the CLA is to apply creativity and innovation to the pressing needs of the day while creating a national model for constructive community building through the arts.The current annual operating budget of the CLA is $1.3m, with contributed income accounting for approximately 96%.
We seek an exceptional Director of Development who shares a passion for this vision and has the experience, skills, and determination to have an immediate impact. The candidate should be tuned in to what’s new and next in contemporary and popular culture, and have a broad range of interests and life experiences. The position calls for a holistic thinker and problem-solver who can galvanize multiple constituents in support of our programs.
An ideal DoD possesses the ability to interface with individual donors, business and foundation leaders, elected officials, cultural leaders, organizational partners, as well as work directly with significant artists of our time.

Position Description
The Director of Development (DoD) is the public face of the CLA for fundraising on local, state, and national levels. The DoD is responsible for organizing, implementing, and growing a successful and comprehensive development plan for the CLA. This position is responsible for all aspects of fundraising, including annual fund support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies, as well as sponsorships, special events, planned giving and endowment. A special emphasis on securing underwriting for major exhibitions and innovative educational activities is essential. The DoD works closely with the Executive Director and Board to increase current fundraising activities and develop strategies to broaden fundraising potential.

The DoD is responsible for guiding the Board and staff in building strong relationships within the local fundraising community, as well as throughout the state, region and nation. The DoD is responsible for researching, writing, and submitting all grants and final reports in a timely manner. The DoD reports to the Executive Director, serves as a member of the Senior Management Team, works in collaboration with all staff, and supervises the Development Coordinator.
Responsibilities include:

Serve as the principal fundraising strategist and development officer for the CLA. Prepare strategic development plan with short and long-term goals to meet the CLA’s funding requirements.
In doing so, establish development policies, systems, and procedures with a special emphasis on soliciting and reporting gifts.

Serve as a key player in Trustee development and building an effective fundraising board.

Work with the Development Chair to schedule, staff and set agenda for all development meetings. Work closely with Chair on prospect assignment and follow-up with the Board. Manage program for identification of prospective major individual and corporate donors, and maintain stewardship of current patrons.
Set annual development revenue targets, in concert with the Executive Director and Board Development Committee. Routinely monitor the status of these targets with the Executive Director.
Establish, manage and monitor annual departmental budget.

Work closely with Director of Finance throughout the year to monitor cash flow.

Coordinate with the Executive Director and Development Chair on solicitation of all major gifts and leadership gifts, including identifying and researching prospects, proposals, meetings, follow-up and donor stewardship.
Set a predetermined number of meeting requests and solicitations per week, and research and create paper and electronic files on each contact. Work with the Board to obtain additional contact referrals.
Set goals to increase both general membership and high level members and oversee Development Coordinator in creating necessary literature and mail-outs.

Work closely with Design department on all development materials to ensure branding integrity as established by 2x4, Design consultancy for the CLA, is maintained.

Research and pursue all local, state and national grants. Create and manage strategy and timelines for all grant opportunities and demonstrate exemplary writing skills while managing priorities for applications / reports to all grant-making entities. Supervise Development Coordinator to ensure proper record keeping and acknowledgments are maintained.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, persuasive and cause-oriented leader who is deeply invested in engaging the community through contemporary art. This position requires a highly skilled and effective communicator, a results-oriented professional whose management style results in positive institutional impact. The candidate must possess a commitment to a team-based organization and be capable of inspiring the Board and staff. The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 7 years of senior development experience in the nonprofit sector, with a particular emphasis on securing major gifts. Strong interpersonal skills, excellent organizational capability and superior written and verbal skills are a must. An acute understanding of the tools of fundraising is necessary. Knowledge of contact management systems, databases, research or other donor relation tools is essential. Candidate must be able to thrive in an extremely small, entrepreneurial, fast-paced work environment. Prior experience in a contemporary arts organization highly desirable.

Inquiries:
Interested candidates should submit resume and demonstration of successfully managed campaigns to:
cla.williams@cityofmobile.org

The CLA is firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, non job-related disability or genetic information as those terms are defined under applicable law.

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