Job Listing: Director of Advancement

Workhouse Arts Center - Lorton, VA

Closes - For best consideration, please apply by Friday, April 12, 2024. 

Position Title - Director of Advancement

Compensation -  $80,000-$90,000 annually, with a benefits package that includes a health/dental insurance plan, life, disability and ADD insurance plan, a retirement plan (non-matching), PTO, compensatory time off, and other employee benefits. 

Job Type - Full time, at-will, exempt; On-site, with the potential for remote work flexibility up to one day per week 

Apply - Please submit a cover letter and resume electronically in PDF form, with “Director of Advancement Application” in the subject line. Direct your submission to: humanresources@workhousearts.org 

Summary - The Workhouse Arts Foundation is seeking a highly motivated and experienced professional to fill the role of Director of Advancement. As the sole fundraising staff member, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization's financial future by designing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies. This position will have a leadership role in architecting the rebuild of the organization’s advancement efforts. The Director of Advancement will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and work closely with the Board of Directors to secure the necessary financial support for the Workhouse's programs, exhibitions, and overall mission. 

Job Responsibilities -

Capacity Building:

• Direct, implement, and evaluate all aspects of the Workhouse’s fundraising program, which will include annual giving, leadership giving, corporate/foundation relations, planned giving, and endowment fundraising.
• Collaborate in the development of a data-driven approach to goal setting for the Workhouse’s long-range strategic fundraising initiatives and create achievable objectives that service those goals.
• Engage the Workhouse’s base of donors, and expand it over time.
• Work in tandem with the Marketing staff to connect new and different audiences to the Workhouse, creating revenue-generating opportunities.
• Oversee the production of all development collateral and work closely with the marketing team to ensure consistent branding and messaging.
• Regularly benchmark with a network of development professionals, bringing best practices in the field to Workhouse’s fundraising strategy and policies. 

Leadership Strategies and Operations:

• Set a strategic vision for all fundraising, grants, and patron advancement, in conjunction with the broader strategic vision for the organization.
• Serve as the senior staff member to Workhouse’s executive team, Board, and staff in developing fundraising strategies and achieving goals.
• Engage and coordinate with development-related staff, and volunteers, in order to achieve Workhouse’s contributed revenue goals and objectives.
• Build a refreshed program focused on individual annual and major gifts, foundation and corporate grants, and partner with volunteers and WAF leadership (including Board, CEO, and COO) to cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of all sizes.
• Support Development efforts by maintaining a leadership style that is open and transparent which empowers staff and volunteers through clear communication and delegation where appropriate.
• Serve as key liaison to the Board’s Advancement Committee in conjunction with the President/CEO, ensuring that reports are drafted and communication is effective and timely.
• Present accurate reporting and analysis of all development activities.
• Oversee the maintenance of donor and prospect records in the Tessitura software database.

Donor Cultivation, Engagement, Community Relations, Events:

• Create and implement a systematic prospecting strategy to grow the organization’s donor base.
• Actively engage with and manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving and major gift prospects which will result in personal cultivation efforts, solicitations, closing of gifts, and ongoing stewardship.
• Manage, in conjunction with Workhouse staff, annual mailings and annual appeals to all stakeholders.
• Manage the processing of all contributions, working with support staff where appropriate, to include applying WAF accounting classifications, inputting into the CRM, and producing the appropriate acknowledgements.
• Attend Workhouse events and be visible in the greater community.
• Identify, solicit and secure event-related sponsorships from corporations, individuals and foundations.

Grant Writing and Proposal Development:

• Write grant proposals and funding applications from local, state, and federal governmental entities; corporations and foundations; and provide the necessary follow-up and appropriate stewardship for grants received, including submitting final and interim reports in a timely fashion.
• Research and identify potential grant opportunities that align with the organization's priorities.
• Write grants to request funding from new foundations, as well as foundations with an established track record of supporting the organization. 

Board Engagement:

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to engage in fundraising efforts, including providing support, resources, and guidance.
• Work closely with Board members to identify and leverage their networks for fundraising purposes. 

Budget Oversight:

• Collaborate with the CEO, COO and Finance team to develop and monitor fundraising budgets.
• Ensure efficient use of resources and alignment with organizational goals. 

Qualifications -

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; advanced degree or professional certification in fundraising is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of successful donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate the organization's mission and impact effectively.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating leadership and initiative.
• Familiarity with the local philanthropic landscape and a passion for the arts and cultural sector. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Satisfactory completion of this job will be evidenced by excellent attention to detail; anticipation of fundraising need; exercising sound professional judgment; strategic planning of fundraising goals; meeting fundraising goals; building and maintaining good working relationships with staff, artists, the President/CEO, the Board, and donors; keeping excellent records; working well as a member of the Workhouse Executive Leadership team; and by operating within the Workhouse approved budget.
• Work hours are a function of work and support requirements. In general, work hours will occur during the timeframe of Monday – Friday, approximately 9 AM to 5:00 PM. Baseline hours will be adjusted to accommodate evening, weekend and Workhouse events.

About the Workhouse Arts Foundation - The Workhouse Arts Foundation, Inc. (WAF) is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation with a mission to operate the Workhouse Arts Center (WAC) (opened in 2008) with programs in the visual arts, performing arts, arts education, and history through the repurposing of the former Workhouse correctional facility. The WAF helps to grow and support a vibrant arts center that offers engaging opportunities and inspiring experiences in visual and performing arts, education classes, historical perspective, community engagement, and personal enrichment. With an annual operating budget of $3.6M, WAC is a recognized innovative collaborative grounded in the core values of a commitment to high-quality arts and education, fiscal responsibility, exemplary governance, and community engagement. 

Workhouse DEI Statement: The Workhouse is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff that honors their experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

Workhouse EEO Statement: The Workhouse is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Workhouse provides employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibility, genetic status or information, military or veteran status or in any status protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Workhouse will not tolerate unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under any circumstances.

Workhouse Health and Safety Policy: The Workhouse is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for our staff, artists, contractors, volunteers, students, and guests.