Job title: Development Associate
Exempt, Full Time
Reports to: Laura Frye, Director of Development
Job purpose
The Development Associate (DA) serves as a key member of Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT)’s development team. Working closely with the Director of Development the DA will manage donor stewardship and cultivation events, fulfill benefits for annual fund donors, assist with grant writing, and manage the department’s calendar.
Duties and responsibilities
30% Donor Stewardship
• Design and execute 10-20 development stewardship and fundraising events each year
o Manage all event logistics including event production, invitation design and distribution, guest lists, budget, and follow up
o Secure in-kind contributions for events
• Coordinate Sponsor Night at theatre for production sponsors
30% Communications
• Donor Communication:
o Manage Development’s email account and provide assistance to donors by phone and email
o Maintain Development’s website pages
o Coordinate and send Development correspondence via Constant Contact
• Grant Assistance
o Assist Director of Development with creation of grant proposals and reports
o Collect data needed for grant reports and proposals
• Development Committee
o Organizing and disseminating meeting materials
o Recording meeting minutes
15% Friends of MRT Engagement
• Support for the Friends of MRT, a volunteer fundraising group
o Manage all aspects of Friends of MRT activities including project logistics, recruitment, training, and communication
15% Database Assistance
• Complete regular database maintenance tasks, including but not limited to:
o Merging duplicate patron accounts
o Updating patron contact information
o Entering department’s contact reports
• Pull custom lists for donor communications
10% Development Calendar Management
• Designing and maintaining department calendar that includes (but aren’t limited to):
o All grant deadlines
o Events dates
o Solicitation Mailings dates
Participate in department and company-wide projects, as needed.
Other duties as assigned by Director of Development
Qualifications
• Well-organized with impeccable attention to detail
• Exceptional writing skills and comfort level and proven success with telephone solicitations
• Demonstrated organizational skills and capacity to deal with multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Experience in non-profit fundraising required, personal or professional background in the arts preferred
• Strong computer skills, especially Microsoft Office
• Ability to develop a working knowledge of Merrimack Repertory Theatre across teams and share that knowledge with current and potential subscribers and donors
• Strong sense of ethical conduct, and demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality in all matters, including those relating to sensitive donor relations.
• Bachelor’s Degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience with a donor patron database, AudienceView a plus
Working conditions
Office Hours are Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. Evening and weekend work will be required as dictated by events, fundraising initiatives, and meetings.
Physical requirements
• Requires someone to sit and stand for long periods of time
• Requires the ability to lift and carry heavy objects (usually between 20-50 pounds) on a periodic basis
Direct reports
• Manages interns and volunteers as needed
Please send cover letter and resume to jobs@mrt.org