EMPLOYMENT
POSITION TITLE
Development Manager
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full time, salaried exempt position
REPORTS TO
Executive Director
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The position will remain open until filled.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The DC Arts Center (DCAC) is the only institution solely dedicated to fostering underrepresented artists in the greater Washington, D.C., area. We believe that by encouraging artists of all types and all levels to pursue their passion, community transformation is possible. Located in Washington, D.C.’s vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood, DCAC operates a small arts facility that includes two art galleries, a 42-seat black box theater, and office space.
Founded in 1989 as an accessible alternative arts center in response to eroding support for local artists, DCAC has since become a hub of creativity in the visual and performing arts, receiving local, national, and international attention. Artists of all types, including poets, painters, actors, storytellers, sculptors, and performance artists, have been drawn to DCAC from as close as around the corner to as far as from other continents.
The DC Arts Center is a small non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation with an annual operating budget upwards of $350,000. The organization has just onboarded a new Executive Director with a bold vision for the future and expectations of rapid expansion. The new Development Manager will join the organization at an exciting time of change and growth, serving as a strategic thought partner to the new Executive Director. The DC Arts Center prides itself on maintaining a workplace culture rooted in collaboration, trust, and accountability. We embrace and celebrate a can-do, roll-up-your-sleeves mentality.
ABOUT THE JOB
The DC Arts Center seeks a dedicated and detail-oriented administrative professional to join our team as the organization’s Development Manager. Reporting to the Executive Director, this is a mission-critical role that supports all development efforts, including aggressive contributed revenue cultivation, generation, documentation, and application. Responsibilities include transitioning our donor database to a new system, grant writing and research, budget development, and event coordination. The Development Manager will be expected to embrace a team mentality and support other areas of the organization as needs arise. Due to the nature of our work, the DC Arts center supports a hybrid work environment whenever possible. However, extended in-person working hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Design and deploy DC Arts Center’s fundraising activities and operations for individual, corporate, foundation, and government support. This includes the research and submission of grants, interim reports, and creating systems and processes to accurately track all incoming gifts providing timely acknowledgments;
In partnership with the Executive Director, provide strategic and visionary leadership to maintain and grow annual fundraising goals in contributed revenue and membership support;
Create and execute annual and multi-year philanthropic events and strategies to increase contributed revenue;
Steward and solicit current and prospective Board Members and major donors;
Coordinate the production of development collateral;
Maintain a comprehensive development calendar;
Maintain online donation databases and payment processing systems;
Provide general administrative support for the organization, including filing, copying, and mailing;
Coordinate & attend donor benefit events, opening night celebrations, and other development/organizational events; and
Along with the executive director, assist with gallery operations when needed.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES
Please note this list is not intended to exclude early-career or career-shifting candidates. The DC Arts Center equally weighs passion and the desire to learn and achieve with experience and tangible skills.
A bachelor’s degree in arts administration, non-profit management, or other arts/business-related fields is preferred; comparable experience accepted in place of a degree;
Ability to embrace ambiguity;
Familiarity with the Washington, D.C., philanthropic community, and national giving landscape;
Ability to conceive, plan, and execute a major gifts program, including annual giving and special events;
Experience with developing and maintaining achievable and ambitious financial projections and budgets;
Donor database experience;
Appreciation for fundraising ethics and respect for the confidentiality of donor information;
Superior interpersonal skills and ability to communicate professionally with colleagues, donors, and other stakeholders;
Excellent oral and written communication skills, persuasive presentation, and negotiation abilities;
Strong organizational skills with great attention to detail and accuracy;
Ability to prioritize workload to complete assignments in a timely manner when faced with many deadlines and competing requirements in a fast-paced environment;
Exemplary work ethic and professional manner; and
Basic digital literacy and the skill to adapt to new technologies.
DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The District of Columbia Arts Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender expression or identity, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
SALARY
The FY22 budget supports a salary range of $35,000 – $37,000.
BENEFITS
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision covered at 100%. In addition, The DC Arts Center embraces a progressive leave policy, including unlimited paid time off and a flexible hybrid work schedule whenever possible.
TO APPLY: Send a resume and cover letter to: selias@dcartscenter.org
No phone calls, please.
INTERNSHIPS
An internship at DCAC provides the opportunity to become familiar with the workings of a small, non-profit, arts organization, an opportunity that is especially beneficial for emerging artists, curators, up-and-coming theater professionals and anyone interested in arts administration. As a twenty-year presence in DC’s visual art and theater world, DCAC provides a stepping stone to the city’s broader arts scene. Interns are exposed to the broad range of visual and performing arts events happening in DCAC’s gallery and theater and attend DCAC events for free.
General intern duties include communicating with supporters and press, maintaining all of our social media outlets, managing the DCAC member database and other daily administrative tasks. There is also the possibility for interns with particular interests to develop individual projects in areas such as graphic design, development, or web design.
Intern hours are Wednesday through Friday, from 2-7pm. Ideally, interns will be available for all of these hours, although arrangements can be made for shorter hours if necessary. College credit can be arranged for interns who are available to work all of the above hours. An interest in the arts is a must!
To Apply:
Send a cover letter explaining your interest and goals in working at DCAC with your resume attached to: selias@dcartscenter.org