New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) in Brattleboro, Vermont, a nonprofit organization which offers both community-based circus education, as well as the premiere professional circus training program in the United States (housed since the summer of 2017 in a unique custom-built trapezium) seeks a cause driven and proven Director of Strategic Development.

The Director of Strategic Development is responsible for the overall strategic fundraising goals set out by the Executive Director (ED) and the Board of Directors. Utilizing dynamic and innovative thinking in a philanthropic environment that is ripe for extraordinary growth, this individual will design, create, and execute a new and effective strategic orientation that focuses on transformational giving to NECCA as well as providing story and brand content for local and national consumption. This position can be remote.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Provide visionary strategic leadership in all aspects of fundraising appeals, development and execution
• Supervise creation, implementation, and updating of comprehensive story and brand content for local and national media, and annual appeal.
• Execute acquisitions and coordinate assignment of major gifts with ED in the amount of $10,000 and up; may travel less than 40% of allotted work hours to meet with Major Gift donors/prospects
• Execute acquisition of all business sponsorships $500 and up
• Carry a personal portfolio of 50 to 75 major donors and prospects to solicit on behalf of NECCA
• Practice strong collaboration with E.D. and Program Directors for donor prospects and cultivation, carry out and/or oversee research and data mining to segment the donor pool, identify untapped potential, and create profiles for Major
• Gift donors/prospects for personal engagement and outreach
• Responsible for overall stewardship of donors including thank you letters, events, donor perks and coordination of visits every year to major gift donors and/or potential donors with ED
• Partner with Administrative Assistant on researching, writing and managing various strategic grants to support NECCA
• Responsible for the excellent community relations both locally with stakeholders, as well as nationally and globally with the greater circus community.
• Recommend and oversee implementation with Administrative Assistant of donor platform to track all donor giving.
• Provide regular fundraising reports to E.D. and monthly reviews to the Fundraising Committee and NECCA Board

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum education Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, preferred: Master’s Degree & CFRE
• 5-8 years of major gifts fundraising experience in a non-profit, including prospect solicitation and management
• Self-motivated and talented fundraising professional with a solid track record of building deep donor relationships using a hands-on approach to cultivate and steward donors so they are inspired to give generously and consistently

SKILLS

• Excellent communication, decision making, and leadership skills
• Strategic conceptualist with broad developmental understandings for and experience in fundraising
• Fundraising leader who can embrace mission, engage meaningfully in organizational culture, and facilitate continued growth for the future
• Passionate energy, vision, and resourcefulness to further NECCA institutional advancement
• Ability to lead, empower and collaborate with others
• Demonstrate humility, vulnerability, and transparency
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and G Suite.

NECCA is in its second year of a three year strategic plan with a focus on financial stability, program and brand focus and increased staff compensation. This role must meet a minimum annual fundraising goal of $300,000 annually with an increased strategic planning goal year over year. Growth potential for this role would include overseeing a multi-year capital campaign, seeding a Legacy and Endowment Donor base and bolstering International strategic collaborations in Canada and Europe.

HOW TO APPLY

Provide a letter of interest and resume specifying experience and unique qualifications relevant to this senior management opportunity, as well as the names of three references by May 22, 2023.

Inquiries or submissions should be made by email only to employment@necenterforcircusarts.org with the subject line “Development Director Application and the applicant’s last name”

Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000, commensurate upon previous experience and achievements. Benefits include paid time off, vacation pay, free and discounted classes, and State of Vermont workers compensation and FMLA.

The E.D. and Board will begin reviewing applications no later than May 22, 2023.