The Organization
As the largest unit on campus, the College of Arts & Sciences forms the academic core of the Carolina experience. Our mission is to create knowledge and discover innovative solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, to educate outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, and to encourage faculty, staff, and students to contribute meaningfully to North Carolina, the nation and the world.
The Arts & Sciences Foundation strives to enhance the College by meeting the needs of the various academic departments, promoting teaching, research, and service, and supporting the continuing development of knowledge and learning. With a $750 million goal in the University’s Campaign for Carolina, we recognize the importance of a team with diverse talents, backgrounds, and experiences. This diversity – among our 19,000-plus undergraduate and graduate students and nearly 1,600 faculty and staff – is one of our greatest strengths. We know that when people with varied backgrounds and perspectives come together, new ways of thinking and seeing the world emerge. We seek team members who use their unique experiences and rich culture to provide critical resources for our faculty and students.
Position Overview
PlayMakers seeks a passionate, collaborative and determined Director of Development to join the largest professional theatre company in North Carolina as we work to revision a future that is inclusive, anti-racist and driven by the passion and inspiration of our artists, staff, students and community. The Director of Development leads PlayMakers Repertory Company’s (PRC) and the Department of Dramatic Art’s (DDA) efforts to secure external funding from individual donors, foundation, and corporations for its programs and works in close partnership with leadership to establish and achieve financial goals. The position coordinates prospecting and fundraising efforts with the Arts & Sciences Foundation team and reports both to the PRC Managing Director and the Associate Dean for Development at the Arts and Sciences Foundation.
The position is responsible for but not necessarily limited to the following:
- Providing strategic vision and leadership for a robust corporate, foundation, and government fundraising campaign with a specific focus on expanding into new grant opportunities and developing new relationships with Triangle business leaders.
- Conducting long-range strategic development planning with the leadership teams at PRC and the DDA.
- Developing an annual development calendar that captures events, solicitations, and meetings.
- Identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors.
- Managing the activities of the PRC Advisory Council including nominations, recruitment, agendas, and subcommittee work.
- Supervising a development department currently consisting of an Assistant Director of Development, and a part-time events manager.
- Overseeing the PRC annual fund, setting targets and tracking funds raised with the assistance of the Assistant Director.
- Working with the PRC communications team to produce development materials in support of solicitation efforts.
- Coordinating PRC and DDA’s fundraising efforts with UNC’s ongoing Campaign for Carolina.
- Working with the Arts and Sciences Foundation to coordinate efforts with the development work of the College of Arts and Sciences as a whole, connecting donors with areas outside of PRC and the DDA and College when appropriate.
- The Director will participate in developing and managing stewardship and cultivation events and will perform other duties as required or assigned. Regular travel and occasional night and weekend work are required.
Minimum Education/Experience
Minimum of a bachelor’s degree required (or foreign degree equivalent) with related experience. For positions with responsibility for direct solicitation of gifts and funds, a minimum of 1 year of professional-level, direct solicitation/fundraising experience is required.
Required Qualifications
- A minimum of 1 year of professional-level, direct solicitation/fundraising experience is required.
- Experience, maturity, and judgment needed to provide evidence-based guidance to staff.
- Proven success in securing large contributions from individual donors. High comfort level interacting with senior level executives and people of wealth.
- Ability to manage and grow an active portfolio of prospects; fearless but smart in the ability to ask for gifts and to position others to ask for gifts.
- Experience with major gifts, annual fund campaigns, events and planned giving techniques.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the development process and understanding of all stages of the relationship with individual donors (identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship).
- Desire to be a strong team player.
How To Apply
PlayMakers has retained Capital Development Services to assist with recruitment for this position. Candidates should apply directly through UNC’s website using the link above. All materials will be kept confidential. Additional inquiries may be directed to Jen Tozier at Capital Development Services, 336-747-0133 x 208 or searchservices@capdev.com.