Website Writers Theatre
Position: Associate Director of Advancement Operations
Location: Glencoe/Chicago, IL (hybrid)
Department: Advancement
Classification: Full Time
Salary Range: $65,000 – $70,000 – commensurate with experience
Reports To:
– Director of Advancement
– Works closely with Advancement, Marketing, Artistic, and Education departments
Supervises/Manages:
– Manager of Individual Giving and Advancement Coordinator
About Writers Theatre
Writers Theatre (WT) is a nationally recognized, award-winning theater company located on Chicago’s North Shore, acclaimed for its intimate productions, bold new work, and exceptional artistry. With a commitment to telling powerful stories and serving as a cultural anchor in our community, we strive to create transformative experiences both on and off the stage. With an annual operating budget of $6.5 Million, the theatre, now in its 34th season, is a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s finest regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal. Under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Artistic Director Braden Abraham, the company is charting a path forward for its future.
Position Summary
Working with the Director of Advancement, the Associate Director of Advancement Operations (ADAO) will help set and manage contributed revenue operations and processes including the management of two full time staff.
The ADAO will refine and elevate processes around acknowledgements, renewals, prospect tracking, and multi-year giving.
The ADAO will also lead institutional gift stewardship and solicitation, managing our grants calendar.
Working with the Director of Advancement, the ADAO will help report out on development department goals and progress, as well as develop processes for institutional prospect research.
The ADAO is expected to reach out to and meet with institutional donors, including conducting annual meetings and quarterly newsletters to our corporate, foundation, and government funders. There will be some nights and weekends that this position is required to work dependent on the advancement calendar.
Primary Responsibilities
Fundraising Operations & Planning:
Work with the Advancement Coordinator to ensure efforts around gift processing, acknowledgements, executive stewardship, prospect research, and financial reporting are accurate and efficient
Work with the Individual Giving Manager to ensure efforts around gift renewals and acquisition campaigns are effective and incentivizing to both current and prospective supporters
Assist DOA with ongoing advancement reporting to a variety of stakeholders. Help build annual budget and attend occasional trustee committee meetings
Daily maintenance and input into Tessitura regarding donor profiles and activities
Front Line Fundraising and Leadership:
Maintain a portfolio of institutional donors and solicit gifts in the $5,000-$100,000 range through corporate proposals, grants, and government applications
Serve as the primary relationship to institutional grant program officers
Collaborate with Artistic and Education departments to be a well trusted source of knowledge for Writers Theatre programming and opportunities
Supervise, motivate and mentor members of our strong advancement team
Additional duties as assigned
Qualifications & Key Competencies
The successful candidate will have:
Three or more years of fundraising experience
Two or more years of team management experience
Superior organizational and time management skills
Self-motivation to start and execute projects
Knowledge of Tessitura software or equivalent CRM
The ability to empathize with donors, patrons and staff
Enthusiasm and appreciation for live theatre
Flexibility, creativity and poise under pressure
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to correctly assess priorities and meet deadlines
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
WORK ENVIRONMENT
General admin work hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 – 5:30 pm
Evening, weekend, and holiday hours will be necessary.
This is hybrid work position, with offices/theatre building located in Glencoe, IL
Benefits include: medical, dental and disability insurance, vacation and other paid leave, a 403(b)-retirement plan (with employer match) and medical and dependent care cafeteria plans.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
To Apply
WT is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and promoting a safe, supportive, and collaborative work environment conducive to professional and personal growth. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, or veteran status.
Please find more information on our culture and specific policies at the following links:
• https://www.writerstheatre.org/about/work-with-us
• https://www.writerstheatre.org/about/mission-values
Qualified and interested candidates should email a cover letter, resume and any salary requirements to jobs@writerstheatre.org with the subject line “2025 ADAO Application – (LAST NAME)”
Want to help us improve our hiring process? Please include where you found this job posting when you email us your materials. No phone calls please.
To apply for this job email your details to jobs@writerstheatre.org