Job Title: Foundation & Government Partnerships Director
Organization Name: Seattle Rep
Organization Type: Other
Organization Website: www.seattlerep.org
SEATTLE REP is seeking a Foundation & Government Partnerships Director to lead strategy and implementation for fundraising from foundations and government agencies. The Foundation & Government Partnerships Director works closely with staff across all departments to understand the organization’s needs and priorities, craft a compelling case for support, and manage a portfolio of current and prospective funders while meeting frequent deadlines. This position requires a strong relationship and project manager who is excited about identifying and pursuing new opportunities to grow Seattle Rep’s institutional funding portfolio. The ideal candidate will have a flexible, creative mindset, razor-sharp writing skills and attention to detail, and a high level of comfort navigating ambiguity and changing circumstances as the theater returns to production following the pandemic. This full-time position has an anticipated start date in early September 2021, aligned with Seattle Rep’s phased return to on-site/in-person activities this fall.
About Us
Seattle Rep is committed to producing the highest quality programming, and we believe that our ability to contribute to excellence in the arts depends on building a community whose members come from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences.
We are part of a growing movement in theater to ensure inclusion of those who have been excluded historically; focusing particularly on racial and ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities and women, ensuring they are at the decision-making table, reflected in our:
- Mission: Seattle Rep collaborates with extraordinary artists to create productions and programs that reflect and elevate the diverse cultures, perspectives, and life experiences of our region.
- Vision: Theater at the heart of public life
- Values: Artistic Vitality, Sustainability, Generous and Inclusive Practices
About The Position
The Development Department is dedicated to relationship-building and growing contributed revenue in support of Seattle Rep. Reporting to the Associate Director of Development, the Foundation & Government Partnerships Director develops strategies to maximize Seattle Rep’s funding from foundations and government agencies, crafts persuasive grant applications and reports, stewards existing supporters, and researches and cultivates new prospects to help grow Seattle Rep’s funding portfolio. The Foundation & Government Partnerships Director works closely with the Corporate Partnerships Director as part of the Institutional Giving team, and supervises and receives support from the full-time Grants Associate.
Typical duties include:
- Lead strategy and implementation for annualized and project-based giving from foundations and government agencies
- In collaboration with the Associate Director of Development, guide long-term organizational strategies as they relate to foundation and government funding
- Work closely with department heads, executive leadership, and other senior staff to strategize around upcoming grant opportunities and determine proposal deliverables
- Gather and synthesize information from across departments to write detailed and persuasive grant proposals in support of productions, youth and community engagement programs, and other ongoing annual activities
- With high-level support from the Associate Director of Development, craft complex, project-based funding requests that fall outside of the annual giving cycle
- With support from the Grants Associate, monitor and oversee calendar of foundation and government annual funding requests and reports, including ongoing funders and new prospects
- Work with Finance and program staff to draft project budgets
- Develop and maintain strong cross-departmental relationships to ensure maximum effectiveness
- Steward foundation and government funders
- Oversee a portfolio of 50-75 foundation and government funders and prospects
- Utilize Seattle Rep’s Tessitura database to document and manage funder data, deadlines, and moves
- Develop and maintain strong relationships in the philanthropic funding community
- Lead site visits, funder receptions, and other on-site cultivation/solicitation events for foundation and government prospects and donors
- With support from Development operations and communications staff, ensure accurate recognition opportunities for foundation and government funders
- Participate in grantee engagement events held by funders
- Identify and pursue new funding opportunities
- Research and identify new prospects for annual funding and special project support
- Network and invest time in developing new relationships with representatives from foundations and government agencies
- Grow Seattle Rep’s portfolio of funders both by pursuing competitive grant applications and by engaging individual decision-makers who can provide access to invitation-only opportunities
- Stay up-to-date on changing philanthropic priorities for current funders to identify forward-looking areas of alignment and get ahead of potential challenges to continued support
- Manage and mentor the Grants Associate
- Determine assignments and workflow for foundation and government applications and reports
- Manage the Grants Associate’s time to ensure support as needed for related corporate giving functions, e.g. drafting corporate philanthropy applications and providing event assistance for sponsor receptions
- Edit materials produced by the Grants Associate and provide ongoing, constructive feedback to strengthen their writing, encourage a strategic mindset, and support professional development
- Support department- and company-wide development efforts
- Maintain accurate and complete internal records for all activities
- Support Development events as needed
- Add constructively to the collaborative and collegial health of the organization
- Add actively and constructively to the EDI (equity, diversity & inclusion) work of the organization, including attending all-staff training sessions
- Engage with and strive to embody Seattle Rep’s mission, vision, and values in all aspects of work
- Establish solid and cohesive working relationships throughout the organization, engaging staff at all levels in fundraising efforts, and promoting interdepartmental communication and collaboration
- Help create a culture of philanthropy among staff, Board members, donors and funders
Minimum qualifications
- 4-5 years of experience leading foundation and government grant solicitation and administration
- Commitment to or knowledge of racial equity and social justice, and how these principles can advance our work on stage and in the community
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences through proposals, letters, reports, and other written materials
- Experience in developing project budgets and communicating financial info to general audiences
- Strong project management skills and keen attention to detail
- Thorough knowledge of Windows-based computer software and Microsoft Office applications
- Experience tracking funder data and deadlines in a CRM/relationship-management database
- Experience managing relationships with government contacts and foundation representatives, including trustees
- A demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a team
- A demonstrated ability to set priorities and meet deadlines under pressure with grace
- An ability to work flexible hours to meet the demands of a deadline-driven position, as well as to support special events on evenings or weekends as necessary (with advance notice)
- Diplomacy, discretion, and sense of humor
Desired qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts or equivalent education and work experience
- 5-7 years of experience in foundation and government solicitation and grant administration
- 2 years of management, mentorship, and/or leadership experience (such as with direct reports, contractors, committees, volunteers, etc.)
- Experience working in a theater, arts, or other not-for-profit organization
- Familiarity with the local philanthropic landscape, as well as local, regional and national arts funders, and an existing network of contacts
- Familiarity with Tessitura preferred
Salary Range
$57,000-$75,000
To Be Considered
- Submit a resume detailing related experience and education.
- Attach a cover letter that outlines how your related experience and education qualifies you for the position.
- Include a grant application writing sample that represents exclusively or primarily your own work, preferably unedited by others.
- Applicants are reviewed the day after the priority application date of August 17, 2021.
- First round of interviews tentatively scheduled for the week of August 23, 2021.