DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Reports to: CEO
Full-Time/Exempt

Summary
The Director of Development is a vital member of the BDM leadership team, driving fundraising and donor engagement strategies to support the organization's mission and artistic vision. This individual is responsible for cultivating a culture of philanthropy, managing all aspects of the development process, and fostering meaningful relationships with individuals, corporations, and foundations in line with the Strategic Plan. The ideal candidate will be an innovative thinker, an exceptional communicator, and a skilled relationship builder with a passion for the arts. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 Annual Fund Leadership & Donor Stewardship:

  • Oversee all aspects of the annual fund including planning, execution, and reporting.

  • Develop and implement creative stewardship and engagement strategies for current and prospective individual, corporate, and foundation donors.

  • Oversight of Development committee when applicable.

  • Coordinate with events team for all fundraising and stewardship events

  • Coordinate performance-specific promotions to enhance audience participation and donor involvement.

  • In partnership with the Creative Director, develop compelling written materials for use throughout the year including direct mail pieces, annual appeal, and the annual report.

  • Develop and manage membership group strategies to ensure effective solicitation and stewardship.

  • Actively manage and maintain pipelines to expand engagement and giving from participants.

  • Develop and oversee donor database strategy

Grant, Corporate & Foundation Management:

  • Research, write, and submit grant proposals and reports, ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

  • Build and maintain partnerships through in-person meetings, regular communication, and follow-up reports.

  • Maintain and adhere to a robust calendar of deadlines and reporting requirements.

Planned Giving Program:

  • Establish and manage a planned giving program, promoting it as an accessible and impactful option for supporters.

  • Represent the organization in relevant fundraising and planned giving networks.

Reporting & Budget Management:

  • Create and manage the fundraising goals and development spending, ensuring transparency and alignment with organizational goals.

  • Oversee regular reconciliation of earned and contributed income with the finance department.

  • Work with CEO and Finance Department to create a monthly financial dashboard and narrative report for Board. 

Board & Committee Collaboration:

  • Lead the Development Committee, facilitating quarterly meetings and coordinating involvement in personal donor solicitations.

  • Provide board members and committee leads with financial reports, talking points, and relevant updates.

  • Attend all board and staff meetings to provide insights and updates on development activities.

Networking & Community Engagement:

  • Attend BDM events as an engaged Ballet representative.

  • Attend networking opportunities to build relationships and expand the donor base.

  • Stay informed on donor activity and milestones (e.g., birthdays, job changes, donor status) to personalize engagement efforts.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum of five years proven experience in development, fundraising, or donor relations, preferably within the arts sector. 

  • Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to inspire and engage stakeholders.

  • Expertise in donor cultivation, grant writing, and stewardship.

  • Proficiency in budget creation, financial reporting, and donor database management.

  • Creative and strategic thinker with a passion for the arts and a commitment to advancing the organization’s mission.

Benefits:

  • Health Insurance coverage

  • Retirement savings plan

  • Flexible work environment

  • Professional development opportunities

  • Paid time off and holidays

To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and references to emily@balletdesmoines.org. This position will remain open until filled. 

Ballet Des Moines provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The company was founded in 2002 as the Ballet Theatre of Iowa. The inaugural season included The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Divertimento. In 2005, Serkan Usta was named Artistic Director and the company renamed itself Ballet Des Moines. Ballet Des Moines launched its first professional company of resident dancers in 2012. Today, Ballet Des Moines is focused on its mission: to enrich lives through inspiring dance performances, inclusive education and outreach programs, and innovative community partnerships.

Ballet Des Moines performs a season of four main-stage productions as well as outreach events and state-wide touring. Regular venues include the beautifully restored 1,252 seat Hoyt Sherman Place Theater and the Des Moines Civic Center which accommodates an audience of 2,744 and is regarded as one of the nation’s leading theater venues. The company is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors, led by Michaela Carhoff, Board President and Natasha Sayles, Vice President..

Ballet Des Moines has experienced exceptional growth and success since 2019, when Blaire Massa took the helm as CEO. After a ground-breaking virtual season during the pandemic, the company emerged in 2021 stronger than ever, announcing a partnership with Stephanie Martinez and the hire of Artistic Director Tom Mattingly. Over the next three years, Ballet Des Moines established itself as a leading regional ballet company, presenting an unprecedented repertoire of classical and contemporary works with a focus on relevant stories from a diverse range of perspectives that exemplify the power of dance as an art form. The company continues to disrupt the traditional model and expectations of American ballet companies, and attributes its success in attracting exemplary artists to the unique environment within the company, which is based on transparency, respect, and inclusion. This opening represents an exciting opportunity for a motivated visionary to play a leading role in the next generation of ballet, with the support of an extraordinary leadership team.

COMMUNITY

Des Moines is the fastest-growing major metro in the Midwest (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022). Rated one of the Top 20 Places to Live (U.S News & World Report, 2023) and the 11th Most Affordable City to Buy A Home (Forbes Advisor, 2021), Des Moines prides itself on its schools, friendly communities, short commutes, affordable living, and world-class amenities. Key industries in DSM include insurance and financial services and advanced manufacturing, and DSM has also been recognized as a hotspot for data science jobs and careers in technology.

Greater Des Moines has witnessed rapid development in recent years, with a revitalized downtown, changing demographics, and multi-billion-dollar investments from Microsoft and Facebook, all made possible by a forward-looking community that embraces new ideas. These developments have also been reflected in the region’s arts and culture environment through new initiatives such as Mainframe Studios, the largest nonprofit arts space in the country; and Bravo Greater Des Moines, a grant-awarding arts agency jointly funded by 17 local governments through a portion of their hotel/motel tax revenues – a unique example of visionary partnership and approach to government investment in the arts.

Greater Des Moines is also home to a number of signature events, including the Iowa State Fair, the Des Moines Arts Festival, 80/35 Music Festival, and the World Food and Music Festival. Arts, cultural, heritage, and recreational opportunities abound. Living here means Saturdays at the nationally-renowned Downtown Farmers' Market, afternoons strolling in the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, an abundance of cultural and sporting events, biking to the job you love, and coming home to a community of friends and family.