Director of Development and Communications
The Director of Development and Communications (Director) will lead fundraising, externalcommunications, and marketing initiatives for Arts & Ideas, and is charged with bringing thevalues of Arts & Ideas to wider populations and expanding relationships.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director serves alongside and works closely with theSenior Leadership Team. The Director will lead a team to increase and diversify revenuestreams while elevating brand recognition and visibility of Arts & Ideas in the Greater NewHaven community and beyond. Together with the Executive Director, they are a key liaison forArts & Ideas to the business and philanthropic communities and greater public, actively seekingout connections that enhance the work of Arts & Ideas and building upon already establishedstrong relationships with area colleges and universities, city, state and federal government, artsand humanities organizations, downtown commerce, and regional businesses.
Currently a $3.3M organization and coming up on its 30th anniversary, the Director will beresponsible for the creation and implementation of a strategic development plan that leveragesArts & Ideas success and role in the community to increase contributions from individuals,corporations, and foundations. A particular area of focus will be the growth and maintenance ofMajor Gifts ranging from $10,000-$100,000 in addition to overall contributed revenuestrategies and implementation. The role will collaborate with the board, the DevelopmentCommittee, and will lead staff to increase annual philanthropic support from individuals,sponsors, foundations, and government agencies while also focusing on future campaign andplanned giving initiatives.
Additionally, the Director will oversee the Creative Manager and Public Relations Consultantsand work closely with the staff and board to manage all aspects of Arts & Ideas communicationand marketing strategies. In addition to strengthening the brand and maintaining its integrity,they will evaluate its effectiveness in terms of ticket sales.
The Director of Development and Communications will have the following responsibilities:
Management and Administration
- Oversee the Development, Communications and Marketing staff, leveraging theinstitutional knowledge and skills of the team, mentoring staff to further develop theirprofessional acumen, and encouraging an open and transparent work culture thatsupports Arts & Ideas goals and objectives.
- Share information about development and marketing strategies, foundation andgovernment grant funding, sponsorship opportunities, marketing strategies, and pressopportunities with Arts & Ideas board and staff on a regular basis throughout the year.
- Provide financial oversight to the Development Department and collaborate with theFinance team in the forecasting and tracking of contributed revenue and expenses.
- Ensure a healthy workplace and organizational policies that value experience and newideas.
- Delegate appropriate responsibilities and perform succession planning in keeping with awell-managed operation and infrastructure that supports the organization and thecommunities it serves
- Embrace other management and administration responsibilities, as appropriate. TheDirector leads a team of 3-4 FTEs and 2 contractors, including:
Fund Development
- Guide the creation and implementation of a strategic advancement plan that addressesArts & Ideas short and long-term fundraising goals in the context of its overall equity,diversity, and inclusion initiatives.
- Lead Arts & Ideas in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship ofdonors and prospects, designing and implementing strategies to increase levels ofannual giving and legacy gifts, including those from diverse communities throughout theregion.
- Focus on the growth and revitalization of the planned giving program to effectivelysecure deferred gifts and celebrate the legacy of those who are committed to Arts &Ideas and vitality of New Haven.
- Maintain a positive relationship with donors who have given between $10,000 and$100,000 to Arts & Ideas.
- Provide guidance and support to the Development Committee in overall fundraisingadvancement activities, leveraging their networks to identify new donor and boardprospects and stewarding existing donors towards a higher level of involvement.
- Manage a portfolio of major donors that includes current and lapsed donors and newprospects, cultivating and stewarding their interest and involvement in Arts & Ideas andresulting in increased levels of giving.
- Generate consistent donor touch points and execute at least 150 individual donor visitsper fiscal year.
- Embrace other donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship responsibilities, asappropriate.
- Create MarComm plan as aligned to the marketing and communications budget
- Develop and maintain communications calendar
- Elevate Arts & Ideas profile and brand through comprehensive strategies includingrelationships with key influencers and press
- Oversee and provide vision for all institutional communications including annualreports, collateral, videos, social media presence, etc.
- Support staff and board in developing their communication skills and messaging throughtraining
- Work with outside Press Representative to reach a broad range of national media forinstitutional, destination, and programmatic press.
- Make public appearances, attend networking events, and accept speaking engagementsto share information about Arts & Ideas
- Collaborate with the Managing Director to achieve or exceed budgeted revenue onticket sales
- Work closely with staff on ticket pricing, promotions, paid advertising and mediastrategy and implementation, and packaging.
Desired and Required Qualifications
- Minimum five years of senior development and fundraising experience withdemonstrated success securing five-figure major individual and legacy gifts, as well ascorporate, foundation, and government support.
- Minimum of two years managing direct reports in development and/or marketing andcommunications
- Proven ability to achieve contributed revenue goals while being cognizant of bestpractices, trends, and innovations in the development arena.
- Depth and breadth of knowledge in strategic advancement, membership programs,annual fund giving, and prospect research.
- Technologically savvy and possess knowledge of and interest in emerging trends insecuring philanthropic support and effective marketing as it pertains to theadvancement of Arts & Ideas funding.
- Evidence of significant, substantial, and increasing responsibility in a seniordevelopment role within an entrepreneurial, cultural, higher education, and/or socialaction organization are required.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
- Experience in brand strategy, positioning, and marketing, preferred
- Track record in building partnerships and community relationships with racially,culturally, and socioeconomically diverse groups and individuals, as well as withcorporations, foundations, and government agencies.
- Commitment to the New Haven community.
- Ability to travel regionally, with potential for national and international travel.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
- Multilingual candidates are appreciated.
Excellence in Performance and LeadershipCollaborationEmbracing DiversityInclusiveness - bringing people togetherOpenness to new ideas, new arts, new cultures, new individualsStewardshipIntegrity
Schedule, Compensation And Benefits
Arts & Ideas regular office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday with theoption to work up to two days from home. Work schedules will vary during the festival andaround special events.
The budgeted salary range for the role is $110,000 - $135,000 and will be commensurate withexperience; this position is full-time and FLSA exempt.
Arts & Ideas offers a competitive employee benefits package, including four weeks of paidparental leave, a 403 (B) retirement plan, health, dental, vision and other insurance plans. Paidtime off (13 days) and sick time (5 days) are awarded on an accrual basis. There are 10 observedholidays as well as an office-wide closure the week between Christmas and New Year's.
About New Haven, CT
Home to one of the nation's oldest cities, Greater New Haven is bursting with innovation. NewHaven is home to numerous colleges and universities, including Gateway Community College,Ivy League Yale University, Albertus Magnus, Southern Connecticut State University, and theUniversity of New Haven. Known as the "Cultural Capital of Connecticut," New Haven is anextremely exciting place to be. The art and music scene, along with some excellent theater andsports, are just some of the things New Haven citizens enjoy.
Located on Long Island Sound, the city boasts urban streetscapes that meet coastal beacheswhere famous attractions stand beside hidden gems. It has a population of approximately136,000 and residents enjoy an urban-suburban mix lifestyle with many bars, restaurants,coffee shops, and parks.
About International Festival Of Arts & Ideas
Founded in 1996, and led by Executive Director Shelley Quiala since 2020, the mission is tocreate an internationally renowned festival in New Haven of the highest quality, with world-class artists, thinkers, and leaders, attracting and engaging a broad and diverse audience,celebrating, and building community and advancing economic development. Arts & Ideasenvisions a flourishing city and state in which a festival of arts and ideas plays a vital role inenriching lives and leading people to understand how their futures are intertwined. The 2024International Festival of Arts & Ideas will take place June 14-29.
To apply, please send a cover letter and résumé or CV tohttps://artidea.bamboohr.com/careers
Arts & Ideas is an equal opportunity employer. Research shows that women and people fromunderrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Werecognize that a candidate is unlikely to meet 100% of the qualifications for a role. Weencourage you to consider the breadth and depth of your experience when applying.