We’re Hiring: Join the Team as Development Manager!

ABOUT YOUNG AUDIENCES

Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania’s (YA) mission is to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts.

Since its founding in 1973, YA has grown into the region’s most comprehensive arts in education organization. Our venue is the school. Our model of delivery brings arts experiences by professional teaching artists directly to students. By doing so, we eliminate barriers to participation and make the arts accessible to students of every socioeconomic background, geographic area, and ability. In March of 2020, YA began offering programs and services through virtual platforms. YA is continuing to provide programs in all schooling formats including in person, and virtual.

In a typical year, YA reaches approximately 350,000 students in our region, and has a $3M operating budget. YA is comprised of 13 professional staff, and is governed and supported by a thriving board of trustees. YA collaborates with teaching artists and performance ensembles in all artistic disciplines, sharing diverse cultural art forms, and dynamic, authentic arts experiences.

Young Audiences values and embraces diversity in all ways. We strive to remove the barriers to arts participation for students. Learn more about YA’s commitments to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access here.

Position Summary—Development Manager

40 hrs/week, Exempt

The Development Manager is a fundraising professional’s opportunity to contribute to Young Audiences’ robust and dynamic fundraising strategy. A hallmark of YA is exceptional donor relations and stewardship of grant funding. This opportunity offers a comprehensive experience in institutional fundraising, working with a collaborative and well-respected development team, including staff and the board of trustees. The manager reports directly to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and works closely with the Grants Manager, Marketing Director, and Marketing Associate.

Young Audiences’ programs occur in school settings. The development team must continually make our work visible and experiential for donors who may not experience the work in person. Satisfaction in this role comes from being a valued part of a motivated and effective team that, through their efforts, ensure that children experience exceptional arts education. Efforts to integrate inclusive, anti-bias practices are ongoing in all areas of the organization. Successes are widely celebrated, and lessons are learned whenever possible.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Support (60%)

Individual donor communications

• In collaboration with VP, prepare and send 3-5 annual mailings to donors
• Process all donations in donor database (Donor Perfect), complete weekly donation reporting and reconciliation with finance department
• Maintain development database and files
• Coordinate with YA marketing staff to write and send fundraising e-blasts and bi-monthly email newsletter to donors in Constant Contact.
• Manage and contribute to YA’s digital asset management tool, for fundraising purposes

Grants Manager Support

• Identify and research new funding prospects locally, regionally, and nationally
• Collaborate with project managers to identify and gather relevant documentation and data
• Actively coordinate the collection of program documentation including stakeholder feedback photographs/video, and testimonials that bolster grant applications and reports

Fundraising Campaign

• Provide administrative support for fundraising campaigns, such as the 50th anniversary (2022-2024). Scheduling and coordinating meetings, tracking progress, and communicating with team members are keys to sustained success.
• Develop cultivation and stewardship strategies that enhance philanthropic support
• Coordinate program site visits for donors and potential donors to experience YA programs

Special Events (15%)

Coordinate small-scale fundraising-related special events (in-person and virtual), including:

• 50th anniversary events: celebrations, thank you events, etc.
• Annual Meeting and Celebration
• The annual board/staff retreat

Board Engagement (15%)

• Act as administrative support for board and executive committee meetings: scheduling, preparing board packet, facilitating hybrid/online or in person engagement
• Participate in development related board committees
• Coordinate program site visits and meetings for trustees and potential trustees

Contribute to YA Initiatives (10%)

• Administrative support for finance and administration, including handling mail, phone coverage, and assisting in maintaining office systems and supplies
• Participate in ongoing efforts to improve in relation to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, according to YA’s Arts United Plan
• Participate in other initiatives as needed

Essential Qualifications

• 3 years’ experience in fundraising
• Experience in event planning preferred
• Experience in the arts, arts education or education preferred
• Must have a belief in and commitment to anti-bias, anti-oppression, anti-racist practices in education.
• Must have an abiding belief in the value and necessity of the arts as an essential component of childrens’ education.

Competencies & Commitments 

Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively—both verbally and written—with individuals from a variety of backgrounds. Respect, care, and consideration for donor relationships is essential

Adaptability: Manage multiple tasks and shift gears quickly due to ebb and flow of the day

Organization and planning: Attention to detail, time management, strong organization skills, and a commitment to complete tasks in accordance with project timelines and deadlines.

Consistency: An inherent desire to set and achieve goals; persistent and consistent efforts are keys to success in this role

Collaboration: Eagerness to work with others and share resources in a supportive work environment where creative collaboration and shared learning are highly valued

Fluency with technology: Ability to work fluidly with technology including MS Office Suite, Teams, Google Docs, Zoom, and donor management software

Compensation and Benefits

• YA offers a benefits package including: 401K with employer match, fully paid medical benefits for staff, 25% medical benefits paid for dependents, dental and vision benefits, paid time off, 10 paid holidays/year, and life insurance.
• Salary range: $50,000-$55,000
• After an initial screening phone call, YA offers a $50 stipend to candidates participating in interviews
• Application Deadline: May 8, 2023
• Approximate Start Date: July 10, 2023

Additional Information

• YA is a hybrid work environment. During initial 3 month provisional employment period, in office (Princeton) work is required several times a week for onboarding and training.
• After provisional period, in-office work is required several times a month to manage needs of the position.
• YA Office hours are 8:30-4:30, M-F.
• Visits to our in-school programs, and attendance at events are essential and may occur several times a month. The ability to travel within our service region of New Jersey and Eastern PA is required. Mileage is reimbursed.
• Due to the local and regional nature of our work and this position, out of region candidates will not be considered.

This position requires significant computer usage for email communications, Zoom/Teams meetings, interoffice communications on Teams, and data entry. To the best of our ability, YA provides workspaces (home and in office) as requested by each individual staff person to support their comfort, productivity and wellbeing.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At YA, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply.

Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome employees and prospective employees without regard to race, religion, national origin, formal education, age, disability, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, health and mental health status, or veteran status.

Candidates should submit an introduction expressing interest in the position and a resume to Ann Betterton at [email protected] with the subject line Development Manager. Introduction may be in the form of a letter, audio, video or other media. Applications accepted until May 8, 2023.