We’re Hiring!

Development & Communications Director (DCD)

Job Purpose:  Reporting to the Artistic Director and in collaboration with the Board of Directors, the Development & Communications Director will plan and lead all aspects of fundraising and the development team to develop and implement successful revenue strategies.

The Opportunity:  As a critical member of the Forklift leadership team, the Development & Communications Director will develop, implement and communicate a strategic, comprehensive plan to support core artistic programs, fundraising initiatives, donor cultivation, stewardship, and events. The ideal candidate is an experienced, entrepreneurial leader who is passionate about the arts and uses best practices to build on, expand and diversify the current Forklift donor base ranging from major gifts and government grants to philanthropic support from individuals, corporations and foundations. The DCD will have primary responsibility for establishing the infrastructure to streamline and enhance development and external communications with oversight over the development and communications team. 

Responsibilities and Duties

Leadership

• Provide the visionary leadership and management to assure that organization is well-respected, self-sufficient, and financially secure
• Represent the organization and its mission to funders, supporters, community leaders, and the community at large
• Manage and mentor development staff, including establishing and communicating fundraising goals, providing leadership on major gift cultivation and solicitation strategies 
• Participate and advise in short and long-term organizational and budget planning
• Serve as the primary development staff liaison to the Board of Directors, including reports and other fundraising correspondence, and assist in Board recruitment

Fundraising 

• Design and implement a sustainable, annual development plan, focused on increasing revenue to support the organization’s strategic growth goals
• Ensure all levels of donors are appropriately cultivated, solicited and stewarded in a donor-centered manner
• Hire, train, develop, lead, manage and mentor the development staff and interns
• Monitor and report regularly on the progress of the development program
• As lead staff for Development Team:
  • Develop strategies to acquire, upgrade and renew donors annually
  • Develop and implement membership program, including member related events
  • Implement a moves management plan for annual and major gift prospects
  • Lead the planning and execution of fundraising and awareness-building events, including budgets, volunteer management, strategy and follow-up
  • Partner with staff, development committee and board members to identify, cultivate and solicit potential donors 
• Oversee/support any board development committees and staff
  • Serve as lead staff for Board Development Committee, support Committee Chair with building agendas and facilitating meetings
  • Ensure completion of gift receipts and donor thank you letters with implementation by Development Assistant 
  • Supervise CRM (Bloomerang) updates, reports, and processing as needed, with support from Development Manager 
  • Coordinate and advise Institutional Giving Manager in foundation research, grant writing activities and reporting

Oversee and meet regularly with Development team, including Development Manager, Development Assistant, and Institutional Giving Manager

External Communications

• Supervise strategy, coordination and execution of overall communications plan to ensure alignment with overall mission and specific development goals
• Supervise content for newsletters, social media, and websites
• Supervise content for volunteer recruitment
• Oversee communications staff and interns

Qualifications

• 4+ years of demonstrated ability to cultivate and successfully solicit philanthropic gifts 
• Transparent, high integrity leadership with an entrepreneurial mindset
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and public speaking skills
• Working knowledge of donor database procedures and best practices for successful use in a well-rounded fundraising program 
• An analytical mind with “out-of-the-box” thinking to solve problems
• Ability to work cooperatively as well as lead, motivate and mentor a team of staff and/or volunteers for success including partnering with diverse groups of people and organizations at all levels
• Experience working with highly effective, multi-disciplinary teams and meeting deadlines
• Ability to think both strategically and operationally
• Ability to manage multiple, changing priorities in a fast-paced environment

Compensation

• Competitive salary ($75-90,000) & benefits package to be negotiated with qualified finalist(s)
• Full time, with flexible schedule

To Apply: To apply, please submit a letter of interest, resume with a minimum of three professional references, and if desired, letter(s) of support to info@forkliftdanceworks.org. Please do not contact any member of the staff or Board directly.

Internships

Joining the Forklift team represents an incredible opportunity to work closely with Forklift artists and play an integral role in the day-to-day administrative and artistic operations of our small and dynamic non-profit. Forklift staff provides professional and personal support and incorporates intern feedback to provide a positive learning experience.

Please direct questions to Choreographer & Programs Coordinator Francis Rodriguez at francis@forkliftdanceworks.org.

Ideal candidates will:

• Take initiative and be able to work both independently and collaboratively within a team
• Be flexible, willing to take on a range of tasks, and ready to respond in the moment
• Demonstrate skills relevant to three key pillars of the Forklift process: curiosity, close listening, and artistic excellence
• Maintain a positive attitude in the face of long hours, outdoor rehearsals in the summer heat, and variability of assigned tasks
• Be confident in managing personal responsibilities while working effectively as a team
• Be rigorous in their attention to detail
• Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills with openness to growth (as relationship-building is central to the Forklift process)
• Have a basic working proficiency with Microsoft Excel, GSuite, iMovie & FinalCut Pro (familiarity working with databases is beneficial but not required)

Forklift Danceworks is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Spanish speakers are particularly encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status.

Academic Credit & Stipends: We frequently work with college students interested in gaining experience working with a non-profit arts organization and will work with candidates to secure academic credit with your college or university. We may be able to provide local candidates with a small stipend.

Volunteer Opportunities

We can always use volunteers on our team! Enthusiastic and detail-oriented volunteers assist our staff in three primary capacities: performance support, event support for fundraisers, and general office support. If you are interested in volunteering, please email us and indicate how you would like to be involved: info@forkliftdanceworks.org.