Job Announcement: Development Director

About the Position

As the Shunpike's Development Director, you will immerse yourself in strengthening Seattle's arts scene, working with some of Seattle's most unique and innovative theater companies, dance companies, and performing arts groups. First, this staff person is responsible for meeting the Shunpike's annual contributed income goals by executing letter campaigns and direct solicitations to individual donors; benefit events; and grant and sponsorship proposals. The Shunpike's contributed income not only supports the organization's operations, but also substantially subsidizes the rates that we are able to charge to our clients. Second, the development director shares his or her expertise by providing fundraising consulting services to the Shunpike's clients, taking these emerging companies to the next level of community support. Specific responsibilities in this area include: working with clients to identify their fundraising needs and goals; providing training on fundraising practices; creating fundraising plans; and writing grants and fundraising letters for these organizations to specifically targeted funders and donors.

The development director is a full-time, 40 hours per week salaried position, starting at $32,000 - $36,000 per year DOE, plus full health benefits and paid vacation. Work schedule is based on client availability and need; some evening and weekend work necessary. This staff member reports directly to the executive director.

Qualifications

Successful candidates will have a majority of the following skills and experience:

- Minimum two years experience as development and/or grantwriting staff for a nonprofit organization;
- Minimum one year of experience providing consulting and/or training on fundraising and grantwriting;
- Experience successfully writing grants to public and/or private funding organizations;
- Experience successfully soliciting donations, both through letters and face-to-face, from individual donors;
- Extensive knowledge of the Seattle arts community;
- Knowledge of local grantmaking organizations;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Ability to manage multiple projects and clients simultaneously;
- Strong attention to detail; and
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

About the Organization

The Shunpike strengthens the Seattle arts community by partnering with small and mid-sized arts groups to develop the business tools they need to succeed. Since our inception, we have supported work by more than 1,000 artists working in live performance, film, literary arts, visual arts and arts education. Specifically, the organization provides business and administrative consulting services - including fundraising, marketing, financial management, bookkeeping, strategic planning and board development - to emerging arts groups to help them be more effective and efficient in their organizational efforts. The Shunpike conducts three main programs: Accountability and the Arts, Partner Artists and Sustainable Organizations. Additional information is available at www.shunpike.org.

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interest in and qualifications for the position to jobs [at] shunpike [dot] org by COB on Friday, September 28. Cover letters should not exceed one page in length, and both documents should be submitted in .doc or .pdf format. No phone calls, please.

The Shunpike is an equal employment opportunity employer and encourages all applicants.