Director of Annual Giving

Milwaukee Rep

About Milwaukee Rep:

Milwaukee Rep is the largest performing arts organization in Wisconsin in terms of audiences served and one of the largest professional theaters in the country. Each year we welcome nearly 300,000 people at 700 performances of 12 to 15 productions across 3 unique stages ranging from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare to American Classics and New Works that are entertaining, inclusive, and impactful. Every season requires a talented and diverse team of people on and off stage. Come join us at Milwaukee Rep where we value inclusion, innovation, and quality and where you will have an impact in helping us to fulfill our mission to ignite positive change in the community. It is important that our hiring practices reflect our ongoing commitment to diversity and anti-racism and we strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. We are further committed to considering applicants who are well-rounded but do not fulfill every qualification.

https://www.milwaukeerep.com/


Position Details

Director of Annual Giving
Job
Full-time
2/12/2025
Southeast Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI

The Director of Annual Giving (DAG) is responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive annual giving program that would include cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of all individual and institutional prospects and donors. This position also oversees department budgeting and development operations management. The DAG reports directly to the Chief Development Officer (CDO).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Oversee the positions of Donor Services Manager, and Associated Director of Development, Institutional Giving. 
  • Oversee budgeting of development department expenses and incomes for current and future seasons in concert with the CDO. 
  • Design a strategic individual giving program that focuses on retention and increased giving by current donors, acquisition of new donors, as well as conducting ongoing donor relations and major donor moves. management. This program needs to include strategies for various constituencies including current donors, lapsed donors, long time subscriber non-donors, and new subscribers. 
  • Execute annual giving program including direct mail, major donor solicitations/portfolio & moves. management, telefunding, and all other supporting solicitations via season renewals, Ticket Office contributions, as well as all appeals via email and the website.
  • Work with the CDO and the Major Gifts team to assist in the management of donor portfolios. 
  • Design and oversee a strategic institutional giving program, including the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Foundation, Corporate, and Government funders. This includes cultivating and maintaining relationships with new and existing donors in conjunction with the CDO and coordinating all proposal/sponsorship asks with the Associated Director of Development, Institutional Giving. 
  • Work with the Donor Services Manager to analyze giving trends of individual donors and institutional funders to provide broadest solicitation opportunities. 
  • Work with the Donor Services Manager to identify & research donor prospects. 
  • Work with Senior Gift Officer to help manage the activities of Spotlight, Milwaukee Rep’s emerging leadership group. 
  • Department tracking and office management. 
  • Work with Associate Director of Events and Stewardship to help coordinate Gala day-of-event logistical planning and execution. 
  • Support all other Development activities, events, and programs on an "as needed" basis.
  • Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

  • Relevant Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 
  • Five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising or business development (non-profit preferred). 
  • Demonstrated success developing and maintaining comprehensive fundraising programs including annual, major, principal, planned, corporate and foundation giving. 
  • Proven experience with budgeting and sound fiscal management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Knowledge of fundraising and philanthropy principles. 
  • Knowledge of Tessitura database management. 
  • Ability to manage multiple high level tasks simultaneously and delegate effectively. 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion. 
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends, as necessary. 
  • Ability to travel for work, as required. 
  • Ability to pass a background check in compliance with local and/or federal employment laws.

Employee Benefits:

  • Health & Dental Insurance - Employer Contribution to Premiums 
  • Health Savings Account & Health Reimbursement Account 
  • Flexible Spending Account 
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan 
  • Paid Time Off Package including Vacation, Personal, Sick Leave, Holidays, Parental Leave, Medical Leave


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