Director of Development

Director of Development

Location: Officially headquartered in Denver CO, where Creative West maintains flexible work space and office amenities. However, the organization is now a distributed, virtual workspace with team members residing in Colorado, across the West, and across the United States. Creative West utilizes a range of web-based collaborative work tools. Co-workers convene in-person periodically throughout the year. The successful candidate will work virtually, independently, and collaboratively as part of the Leadership Resource Team.

Position Summary: The Director of Development — a brand new position in the organization — will join Creative West’s Leadership Resource Team to oversee the planning, organizing, and execution of Creative West’s fund development efforts, including but not limited to foundation grants, major gifts, individual donations, planned giving, corporate sponsorship and capital campaigns. This position reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Deputy Director, the Leadership Resource Team, and the Board of Trustees to secure the operating funds necessary to support the organization’s mission, programs, services, and activities.

Context: This Director of Development position represents a unique opportunity to build a fully functioning fund development operation within a collaborative organization with ongoing sources of earned revenue from Software as a Service platforms and recent successes in securing significant multi-million, multi-year grant funding from major national and regional funders. After the successful candidate has sufficiently onboarded and oriented to the organization, they will lead the search and hiring of a supplemental Development Coordinator position to assist in grant writing, researching, planning, and supplemental administrative tasks, as determined. The Director of Development will catalyze Creative West’s strategic goal of having financial resilience through a diversified revenue model, ensuring long-term sustainability, alignment with our values, and responsiveness to the creative sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Fund Development Strategy and Planning:
  • Identifies creative and transformational funding opportunities, in partnership with the Executive Director and the Leadership Resource Team.
  • Develops and implements a comprehensive fundraising plan to meet the organization's financial goals.
  • Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major funding prospects.
  • Oversees the inception, planning, and execution of fundraising programs.
  • Ensures that annual and long-term revenue goals are met.

• Grant Writing and Management:
  • Researches and identifies grant opportunities that align with the organization’s mission and programs.
  • Prepares and submits grant proposals and reports in a timely manner.
  • Maintains accurate records of grant activities and outcomes.
• Funding Relations and Stewardship:
  • Develops and maintains relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and other funding sources.
  • Works closely with organizational leaders to cultivate relationships and generate compelling fundraising narratives.
  • Ensures timely and accurate funder recognition and reporting.
  • Develops and implements donor stewardship programs to enhance donor retention and engagement.
•  Trustee and Leadership Team Collaboration:
  • Collaborates with the Executive Director, the Deputy Director, the Board of Trustees, and other team members to achieve fundraising goals.
  • Collaborates on national programs with the US Regional Arts Organizations (USRAOs), including the USRAO National Director and USRAO fundraising counterparts.
  • Develops and implements public-facing marketing and communications to promote fundraising campaigns and events.
• Data Management and Reporting:
  • Maintains accurate and up-to-date funder records in donor management system.
  • Tracks and reports on fundraising progress, providing regular updates to the Executive Director and to the Board of Trustees.
  • Analyzes fundraising data to inform strategic decision-making.

Skills Required:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, preferably in the arts, culture, and creative economy sector, with a proven track record of success in grant writing, major gifts, and corporate sponsorship
• Strong understanding of fund development principles and best practices
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple projects and deadlines
• Proficiency in donor management software
• Passion for arts and culture, with a commitment to the mission of Creative West

Competencies:

• An active commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, social justice and anti-racism
• A commitment to, interest in, and understanding of the Creative West region
• An experienced and effective virtual worker
• An effective communicator and consensus builder
• An ability to manage rapidly-shifting priorities
• An appetite for navigating and often operating within an environment of ambiguity
• Motivated to work both independently with self-sufficiency, as well as warmly and collaboratively with a group
• Problem solving and solution-oriented
• An advanced level of emotional intelligence
• A strong desire to establish trusting relationships

Compensation:

This is a director-level position. The salary range is $125,000 to $145,000 annually. Starting salary will be established based on the skills the candidate will provide to achieve the essential and preferred functions of the position. Competitive benefits package includes fully paid health benefits and 401k match.

Benefits

WESTAF offers a competitive benefits package for all full-time employees, including:

• Employer-paid health insurance
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Dental insurance partially subsidized by employee
• 401(k) with up to 5% match
• 37.5 hour work week
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• 10 paid holidays, plus the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day

Travel:

This position requires travel as needed anywhere from 3-10 nights per month to participate in or present at internal and external meetings, convenings, and conferences.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At WESTAF, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, equitable and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't perfectly align with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles with us.

WESTAF is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. WESTAF is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. WESTAF strives to create and maintain a working environment that is inclusive and equitable.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter HERE by January 31st, 2025