Director of Development

THE ROLE
A new and dynamic opportunity for an experienced and ambitious candidate to support our Founder and Creative Director in the implementation of the income generation strategy at ABCirque/The Muse Brooklyn. Currently the income mix includes raising significant income from trusts and foundations, public and private partnerships, international and public bodies, earned income, brand sponsorship and other grant funding sources. Self-motivated and ambitious, you will have a wealth of fundraising or wider income generating experience and a track record ofmeeting your fundraising goals. You will be able to suggest relevant new routes to money and be able to identify and seize new business opportunities. You find it easy to communicate verbally and in writing and enjoy building collaborative relationships. This is an critical role to help us all across the organization to innovate and aim high in raising the funds needed to fulfill our mission of sustaining our current school and building and securing or ultimate long-term relocation and sustainability. This role is a combination of practical on the ground working and a dash of strategic contribution. You will also have access to external consultants (Development, Marketing and Brand Sponsorship) throughout the year. ABCirque/The Muse Brooklyn is a grassroots small arts organization. This role is part time to start with goal to grow into full time role.
 
JOB DESCRIPTION
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
• Support the Founder’s strategic drive to progress ABCirque/The Muse Brooklyn’s fundraising capacity at the highest level, ensuring strong stewardship of ABCirque/The Muse Brooklyn’s fundraising targets, plans and potentials
• Participate in organizational and strategic planning, ensuring that funding opportunities and challenges are considered
 
APPLICATION AND BID PREPARATION AND REPORTING
• Take a lead role in establishing and monitoring the progress of prospect lists and the pipeline for action
• Research potential funders and strategic partners, from all sources and sectors
• Write, compile appropriate supporting materials, and present requests for funding (including applications, proposals and one-to-one asks)
• Work with the Founder and other members of staff as appropriate to write bids to trusts and foundations The Muse Brooklyn, ABCirque,  and any other community engagement projects
 
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
• Take the lead on the individual giving campaign
• Work with the ABCirque/The Muse Brooklyn community to maximize opportunities for donations and contributions
• Maintain a database of donors and supporters and ensure exemplary donor care for all supporters
• Collaborate with relevant staff/marketing team to generate and manage fundraising events, including the festival related cultivation events and ideas
• Co-establish short-term and long-term sponsorship goals for ABCirque/The Muse Brooklyn
 
MANAGEMENT - INFORMATION
• Take responsibility for the maintenance of good filing/archive systems and databases
• Maintain updated information on ABCirque/The Muse Brooklyn’s supporters and to contribute to the ongoing development of the database, and to maintain paper files as necessary
• Act as an advocate for ABCirque/The Muse Brooklyn’s mission and values at all times
• Undertake any other appropriate duties required by the Founder
 
MANAGEMENT - PEOPLE AND BUDGETS
• Be responsible for the financial monitoring of fundraising projects and people
• Monitor and track fundraising expenditure (consultants, events, hospitality etc) within agreed budgets
• Attend events as required and represent ABCirque/The Muse Brooklyn at meetings
• Be a champion of equal opportunity and uphold ABCirque/The Muse Brooklyn’s community commitments
 

PERSON SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
• At least 2 years’ experience of fundraising with a successful track record in the arts, cultural or wider charitable sector
• Evidence of achieving regular and sustained income from at least 3 income streams: public funds, corporates, individuals, major donors, embassies and cultural partners or trusts and foundations
• Experience of devising, delivering, and monitoring fundraising strategies
* Excellent time management and written and verbal communication skills
• A confident knowledge of the scope of potential trusts and foundations and the ability to prepare and oversee the preparation of them
• The experience, skills or willingness to engage and form relationships with high level donors and the confidence to make face to face, written and verbal asks for money
• Experience of managing an individual giving/membership scheme
• Impeccable networking skills and confident in developing and maintaining contacts across various funding opportunities and sectors
• Motivation, tenacity and ability to implement a robust and resilient tactical campaign
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, able to remain calm under pressure