WPAS Experience the Best - Washington Performing Arts Society

The Director or Development plays an instrumental, leadership role in the creation and execution of the strategic development plan in order to fulfill the organization's vision, mission, and service to the community. The Director works directly with the President, President-Emeritus, Board of Directors, and Senior Staff to formulate and direct a comprehensive fundraising campaign to meet annual contributed income goals and to secure the long-term financial stability of WPAS.

• With board members and Major Gifts Director, develops plan to identify, cultivate, solicit, and upgrade individual donors

• Meet regularly with major donors to solicit support

• Maximizes the number and quality of solicitations by the President/CEO and Board Chairman

• Supervises planning and execution of special events for major donor cultivation and recognition and attends events

• Oversees development of strategy for Legacy Society to identify, cultivate, and solicit new donor

• Supervises staff in planning and execution of member events and delivery of other member benefits

• Develops strategies to solicit funding from local and national foundations, and corporate and government entities

• Manages interaction with programming, education, finance, and marketing staff in developing proposals and implementing and reporting on activities funded

• Meets with foundation and government agency staff as needed

• Reviews and comments on all proposals

• Attends meetings of Capital Arts program directors and manages WPAS' participation in the program

• Oversees planning and implementation of strategies to acquire, renew, upgrade, and reward corporate donors

• Meets with corporate representatives to solicit support

• Manages volunteers and staff in identifying underwriters and developing strategies to secure sponsorships for WPAS' artistic and educational programming

• Oversees events associated with underwriting

• Oversees Director of Special Events in execution of 15-30 special events each season, including post-performance receptions with artists, receptions at embassies, Supreme Court concerts, Fall Celebration, and the Annual Gala

• Sets overall leadership, direction, and goals for the Development Department, supervising a staff of 7.

• Oversees interaction with other departments and volunteers

• Coordinates staff and volunteers, prioritizes organizational needs, and directs solicitation efforts

• Maximizes efficiencies through the use of fundraising systems, technology, and database management (Tessitura)

• Actively manages fundraising overhead expenses

• Coordinates and supports all Development Committee activities

• Attends Board and Executive Committee meetings, provides updates on budget status and activities monthly

• Develops departmental budget; sets contributed income and expense budgets. Monitors budget status throughout fiscal year; adjusts forecasts as needed

• Represents development in the planning and coordination of interdepartmental strategies, communication, and activities

• Manages development of projects that promote WPAS' strategic goals and incorporate funders' special interests, where appropriate

• Brings good judgment, mature perspective, reliability, and proven problem-solving and management skills to management team

The ideal candidate will have a college degree, 7 to 10 years' of increasing experience in fundraising with a proven record of meeting financial goals. Excellent verbal/written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and good judgment are essential. Knowledge and a passion for the performing arts and education outreach are advantageous. She/he must be able to manage multiple deadlines and projects. The chosen candidate will possess the leadership skills necessary to inspire staff, board members and volunteers. She/he is a strategic thinker with proven successes in developing and implementing membership, major donor, institutional giving and planned giving programs. Experience in securing private, corporate, government, and foundation support and event management is essential.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and salary requirements by email to Catherine French Group at cfrenchgroup@aol.com; please include Director of Development Position, WPAS in your email subject line.

The Director of Education manages the youth and adult educational programs of WPAS, consistent with the mission of the organization, as well as the vision and priorities set by the President. Supervises and evaluates Education department staff (currently 3 full time), consultants (currently 2), and interns.

• Develops, plans, and evaluates new and existing educational projects and programs.

• Promotes new ideas and vision to the organization.

• Works to integrate all education programming to the WPAS main stage presentations and vice versa.

• Initiates new projects and endeavors, including family or family friendly programs, adult education projects (including What Makes it Great©), and other community educational activities while overseeing their implementation.

• Maintains and evaluates the operations of all K-12 programs, including Concerts In-Schools (CIS), Feder
  String Program, and Children of the Gospel - Jazz – Summer Steps Summer Camps, Embassy Adoption
  Program, In School Artist Residency program, Capitol Jazz-Strings-Voices-Dance and other special
  projects.

• Supervises community outreach programs, including the Men & Women of the Gospel, concerts in local
  venues, and initiation of partnerships.

• Oversees the maintenance of spreadsheets and other files of CIS artists, schools, and schedules.

• Prepares education reports for organizational meetings and leads Education Board Committee meetings.

• Coordinates education marketing plans with WPAS marketing and communications department.

• Works with volunteers to coordinate and maintain the Enriching Experiences for Senior’s and Feder Competition program.

• Manages the Teaching Artists Program including the selection of new artists, training programs andlogistics.

• Manages professional development opportunities sponsored by WPAS for roster artists, led by the WPAS Education Consultant.

• Maintains fiscal oversight of all education initiatives within board-approved budget.

• Develops and monitors with COO, all education budgets.

• Develops text for all education related contracts.

• Represents WPAS in public and professional forums as requested and/or approved by the President.

• Serves as WPAS on-site staff representation at organizational activities including but not limited to education initiatives as needed and requested.

• Provide on-site staff representation at educational and performance activities as needed.

• Maintains regular communication with the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative Partnership.

• Serves on the Professional Development and Programming committees as a WPAS liaison for program expansion within DCPS and Charter Schools.

• Works with an education committee comprised of WPAS board members and other individuals.

• Works with the WPAS Women's Committee to coordinate logistics for the Feder auditors (i.e., annual meeting, communications, and monthly reports/schedules).

• Interfaces with outside stakeholders to promote existing and new programs.

• Assists Development in advancing ideas and programs to potential underwriters.

• Works actively with the development department to transform education into a "revenue center" for WPAS.

• Works with development department to brainstorm funding possibilities.

• Provides information for final reports, updates, and budgets for fundraising purposes as requested.

• Writes and/or edits grant proposals as requested.

• Contributes education articles to the WPAS Membership Newsletter.

• Manages the ongoing evaluation / effectiveness of education programs.

• Works with DCPS to solicit needed statistical data on our students and their scholastic performance in school.

• Recommends and implements program improvements and revisions based on evaluation analysis.

• Coordinates documentation needs and requirements for all education programs.

• Undergraduate degree, with a background in arts education or performance preferred.

• At least five years of experience in working with educators, school systems, artists, arts management
  training or experience in one or more of the disciplines presented by WPAS (gospel, world music,
  classical music, dance, jazz) and/or related areas of general study such as performance studies, arts
  education, and theatre.

• Proven ability to promote programmatic ideas to possible funders.

• Ability to work cross-culturally; bilingual Spanish/English fluency a plus.

• Able to work evenings and weekends as required throughout the year.

• Excellent writing and computer skills.

• Attention to detail.

• Excellent time management and prioritization skills.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and salary requirements by email to Debra Harrison: dharrison@wpas.org; please include Director of Education Position in your email subject line.