Full Time

Position Overview

The Development & Research Associate is a member of the development team that consists of the Director of Development, Program & Data Manager, and Executive Co-Directors. The Development & Research Associate works closely with the Director of Development, Program & Data Manager, and Executive Co-Directors to implement an annual fundraising plan to achieve fundraising revenue goals that align with organizational mission and strategic priorities. The Development & Research Associate supports aspects of institutional and individual giving fundraising management, research, and communications, including working closely with the Program & Data Manager. A major focus of the Development & Research Associate will help to reestablish and grow a major gifts program at Performing Arts Workshop. The Development & Research Associate reports directly to the Director of Development and is a full-time, hybrid –  exempt position with a salary of $67,272

Major Responsibilities:  

Major Donors
Work with the Director of Development and Executive Co-Directors to coordinate and manage major gifts program implementation and overall resource development strategy to meet goal of raising $1.2 million in new contributed revenue from individuals over the next seven years
Help coordinate cultivation and solicitation of major gifts by senior staff, Executive Co-Directors and Board members; prepare briefing materials, develop solicitation strategies; coach Executive Co-Directors, Board, and staff, and accompany on visits, as requested
Help grow portfolio of individual prospects and donors targeted to give $5,000 or more annually by 40+ in the next three years
Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors targeted to give between $1,200 and $4,999 annually and help coordinate funder communications
Support the Director of Development with the completion of grant applications, reporting, and stewardship
Support the Director of Development with outreach to corporations and local businesses 
Conduct donor prospect research for individual and institutional sources
Conduct tours of the Geneva Powerhouse for major donors
Schedule and conduct personal donor and prospect visits and attend advocacy meetings. 

Annual Fund

Work with the Events & Operations Associate Manager and Program & Data Manager on mailed and emailed appeals

Marketing

Plan effective organizational marketing in collaboration with Administrative, Program, Development, and Artistic Staff
Lead the execution of an annual report, donor brochures, funder newsletter, and social media and web contributions
Work with the Director of Development to create case statement collateral to be used in individual solicits, managing all design contractors involved

Administrative

Generate donor acknowledgement letters for individual contributions on a monthly basis 
Maintain record-keeping systems using Salesforce, working with the Program & Data Manager in data entry and reporting
Monitor revenue and expenses related to individual giving
Support grants management, particularly for new grant supported programs referencing goals, outcomes, and reporting. 
Generate reports on progress of individual giving program for Executive Co- Directors and Board of Directors

Events 

Supervise design, planning, and execution of cultivation and fundraising events

Required Qualifications:

Successful track record in research, communication, and/or fundraising for a nonprofit organization, with 1+ years of experience
Adequate professional experience and/or relevant coursework
Experience, or strong interest, in anti-racist practices
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the ability to write compelling stories and narratives
Ability to understand, represent, and communicate about a wide variety of perspectives using asset-based language, notably when writing about Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latine, Immigrant, low- income, and LGBTQIA+ youth and communities;
High degree of independence, initiative, responsibility, and capability in managing projects; can manage multiple projects, deadlines, and other responsibilities of varying complexity and importance at any given time
Ability to manage and coordinate with multiple stakeholders, partners, and staff, ensuring their buy-in, participation
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a collegial work culture that is committed to anti-racist practices and excellence
Commitment to application of anti-racist practices in building donor relationships, all written communication, all verbal communication, and any reference to our programs, students, communities we collaborate with, teaching artists, and administrative staff
Commitment to researching anti-racist donor trends and applying findings to fund seeking
Excellent analytical thinking, computer literacy skills, and emotional intelligence
Ability to manage sensitive information in a confidential manner
Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed when conducting major campaigns. 
Track-record of securing major gifts from individuals;
Commitment to innovation and learning;
Knowledge of effective anti-racist donor communications;
Commitment to and strong belief in the value of arts education for all Bay Area youth.

Exceptional Qualifications:

Commitment to developing an anti-racist style guide, event guide, and funder communication guide with support and in collaboration with the Anti-Racism Committee
Grant Writing Experience
Salesforce Experience 
Knowledge of Bay Area philanthropic community
Knowledge of developing arts commissioning programs

Workshop benefits include:

Remote work options

Flexible Schedule 

Comprehensive medical, vision and dental insurance for employees and their dependents – 100% of the employee only premium covered by Performing Arts Workshop. 

Generous Paid Time Off — minimum of 20 days, as well as 11 holidays

Life and Disability insurance

Other forms of voluntary benefits

Application Guidance:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please submit a cover letter, solicitation letter sample, and resume to hiring@performingartsworkshop.org. Please use “Development & Research Associate Application” in your email subject line. The cover letter should address how you write about communities you’re not a part of, why anti-racist practices are important for you as an individual and as a staff member of an organization, and what qualifies you for this position. We will consider content, grammar, and spelling in cover letters. Please be sure to proofread your submissions. 

Only Complete Applications (cover letter, solicitation letter sample, and resume) will be considered. 

Candidates must reside or be willing to relocate to California to be eligible for a position with Performing Arts Workshop. Performing Arts Workshop does not currently offer relocation assistance.

Candidates advancing through the interview process will be asked for references. The Workshop will make accommodations for references in multiple languages, as well as references from hearing and visually-impaired individuals.

Performing Arts Workshop is an equal opportunity employer and seeks workforce diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, and physical abilities.

The Artistic Producer works closely with the leadership team (co-Artistic Literary Director & co-Artistic Managing Director) to produce the world premiere of our mainstage productions starting with Blossom Johnson’s A Boarding School Play, set to debut in the Winter/Spring of 2024. This position can be approached as a temporary position with the possibility of moving into a permanent staff position OR candidates can apply directly to the co-Artistic Producing Director position.

The co-Artistic Producing Director will lead the production unit of AlterTheater and serve on the leadership team as we transition and expand our organizational model. Additional duties include: liaising with board of directors, contributing to development and execution of strategic plans, participating in playwright/season selection, contributing to budgeting and fundraising processes, and supporting the sustainable growth of AlterTheater. Qualified and motivated candidates are encouraged to apply directly to the co-Artistic Producing Director position if interested. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Artistic:

– Lead the recruitment and hiring process for staff/creative team for all productions: live, hybrid, and/or virtual
– Work collaboratively with co-Artistic Directors to support existing artistic programs, including pilot programs at partner sites and transitioning work in development (AlterLab) into the production pipeline
– On a project to project basis serve as actor, director, dramaturg, designer or other artistic role on as capacity allows. These agreements will be made separately from the producer role.
– Mentor another artist or administrator

Production:

– Be present as a leader for critical milestones in the production process (production meetings, first rehearsal, final run through, load-in, tech, previews, opening, special events, closing, load-out, post-mortem)
– Co-create and manage the season production calendar in collaboration with Operations/Program Associate
– Participate in developing relationships with community partners and serve as primary contact with spaces that host our touring productions
– Work closely with stage managers and directors/designers to ensure a safe and productive environment
– Set up & facilitate tech needs for virtual/hybrid/live productions
– Provide designers/technicians with what they need to achieve their visions in production mediums, within budgetary constraints and while respecting AlterTheater’s minimalist aesthetic in found spaces within space limitations
– Work with collaborating companies to coordinate shared resources
– Work with Outreach Coordinator and leadership team on community events that are tied to MainStage productions
– Tour management – working with multiple venues for one show, making sure the needed resources are available to successfully move the show

Administrative:

– Schedule, lead, and attend internal/external meetings related to achieving work plan goals
– Serve as the primary onsite representative of AlterTheater throughout rehearsals, tech, and performances of all productions 
– Manage public facing aspects of Box Office through our CRM Arts People/Neon One, and train/supervise Front of House/Box Office Manager
– Collect receipts and enter expenses into accounting software for timely payments and reimbursements
– Support company values, especially centering the spiritual and emotional well-being of Black and Native people
– Support fundraising efforts by providing feedback on documents (grants, letters, proposals, etc) and providing logistical support to live events, when possible 

Preferred Qualifications

-Adept understanding of production processes
-In depth knowledge of the 9-county SF Bay Area
-Cultural competency to work with BIPOC stories and BIPOC storytellers
-Proven time/project management skills
-Ability to balance multiple needs and articulate boundaries
-Able to work under pressure while creating an emotionally and physically safe working environment
-Ability to speak Spanish (or any second language) a plus, or comfort in bilingual rooms
-Ability to lift and carry small set pieces and large props, costumes, if needed
-Ability to drive required, (stick shift a plus)
-Experience with/knowledge of marketing a plus
-Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism

We believe that people who have worked in theater, film, new media, television production; people who have project management experience; people who have trade experience; people who have studied theater or film in college; or people who have attended trade school in electrics or carpentry; people with marketing/branding backgrounds; may have complementary skill sets for this position.

Compensation and Benefits

Artistic Producer 

$26.63/hour; 15-30 hours per week during pre & post-production periods and 30-40 hours per week for ten consecutive weeks during rehearsals and the production tour in the winter/spring of 2024. This position is projected to begin in October and conclude May 31, 2024 with a possibility to extend if interests align. Sick pay available. We are strategizing to incorporate additional benefits for our employees. 

co-Artistic Director

$26.63/hour; 25-40 hours per week. You will have flexibility to determine your schedule outside of the designated production milestones. This position is projected to begin in October. Sick pay available. We are strategizing to incorporate additional benefits for our employees. 

Location

Applicants must be based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Remote work is possible for some aspects of the role. Must be legally able to work in the U.S.

Organization 

AlterTheater develops and produces plays written and performed by the best established and emerging storytellers, presented where people live, work, or play. AlterTheater has been commissioning, developing and premiering new plays in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2008. Its AlterLab playwright residency focuses on writers from underrepresented communities: 85% of writers are women and ⅔ of writers identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). While our cohorts are multi-ethnic, we’ve supported more Native playwrights than any other demographic (30%). For 15 years, the company performed in highly visible, non-traditional spaces, primarily storefronts in downtown San Rafael’s pedestrian shopping district, with windows left clear, so passersby could “window shop” theater. AlterTheater seeks to create a more just, more equitable community by:

supporting the creative growth of theater artists from historically underrepresented communities;
telling stories that reflect the full complexity and diversity of our community; and
sharing stories with our full community, in places where people are.

Future 

We think the way forward for our small, BIPOC company is to lean into deeper partnerships with other value-aligned organizations, as we continue to serve and expand our community of artists and audiences and seek to right-size our company. With this in mind, we have been cultivating several relationships with theaters, community organizations, and educational institutions. Some of our recent partnering organizations include Dominican University, Cedars, Arts Research Center at UC Berkeley,  La Lengua Teatro en Español, California Shakespeare Theater, the Latino Council, and more. Alter’s future programming will deepen its focus on social justice work using theater as a tool for change and improved health outcomes. We will double down on serving local communities with live, in-person events, as we search for the right trajectory of sustainable growth to support our programs and the people who make them possible. 

Work Culture & Mentorship

AlterTheater works under a distributive leadership model, with an ensemble sensibility. We engage in consensus-based decision-making, and provide opportunities for individuals to take ownership of their own projects, using our company’s values as their guide.

AlterTheater’s leadership team includes:

– AlterTheater’s Ensemble is composed of 3 co-artistic directors and several associate artists. The ensemble decides which artists to support, playwrights to commission, and which projects to develop and produce.
– Co-Artistic Literary Director, Diana Burbano, responsible for new work development in our flagship playwright development program AlterLab
– Co-Artistic Managing Director, Eric Avery, responsible for day-to-day operations and developing partnerships with aligned organizations. 
– Artistic Producer (or Co-Artistic Producing Director), This would be you! You’d work collaboratively with the co-Artistic Directors in moving projects from under the New Work/Development arm to production. You’d be responsible for projects in production.

We prioritize people first, purposely choosing to produce in minimalist ways in found and donated spaces. More than 72% of our cash budget (and some years, up to 91%) has gone toward paying people. Mentorship is a core part of our company. We make a practice of supporting the creative growth of not just our artists but our artist-administrators on staff. We believe in tailoring work to people’s interests and skills. We will be invested in your career, in you as a person, and we commit to supporting your long-term vision for your future. Our company is small enough that we are able to tailor leadership positions to the talents and interests of those in the position, and so we encourage applicants of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Applications and Inquiries

We created two paths for this work area because we want to find the right fit with the right person. We want to meet candidates where they are and understand your preferred working style, what is attractive about this role, what is concerning, why theater, why AlterTheater, and how might this opportunity put you on a path that is healthiest and best for your career? Please address these questions in your application. 

To apply, email a resume/CV and cover letter to Jobs@altertheater.org with the position you are applying for in the subject line. Please send any questions you may have to that same email address. Applications received by August 25th will be prioritized, and submissions after will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The process will include a brief phone interview, reference check, and a final zoom interview. Thank you for reading!