Associate Director of Development

Salary Range $90,000 - $110,000 based on experience and qualifications. This is a full‑time position with benefits.

Position Summary:

The Virginia Arts Festival is seeking an experienced development professional to drive our development efforts, with a specific focus on individual gift solicitation, donor stewardship, and donor cultivation. The Associate Director of Development works as a key member of the development team under the direction of the General Manager and Executive Director. The Development department is the primary source, other than ticket sales, for raising funds for the Virginia Arts Festival.

The fundraising program consists of an ongoing Capital/Endowment Campaign and four areas from which the Development team solicits annual operating funds, including:

• Individual Donors
• Corporate Sponsor ships
• Private Foundations (Grants)
• Government Support (City and State Agencies – funding generally achieved through grants)

The Associate Director of Development is the primary staff person managing the overall portfolio of individual donors and cultivating relationships with individual donors, particularly major‑gift and mid‑level donors. S/he will manage a staff of three people, oversee fundraising toward the Annual Fund, participate in capital/endowment campaign activities, and be an important team member during the Festival season. The Associate Director of Development must maintain a very high level of thoroughness, accuracy, consistency, patience, and attention to detail.

The successful candidate must be a forward thinking, experienced fundraising professional who can be highly collaborative with the executive leadership team and board members.

• Develop and manage a personal portfolio of medium to high‑level donors and prospects focused on building deep donor relationships with assigned individuals and organizations.
• Oversee portfolio management of all individual donors, serving as a key support to the Executive Director and General Manager’s highest‑level donor portfolios.
• Oversee portfolios of Annual Fund Manager and Development Operations Manager focused on lower to medium level donors.
• Team leader of Annual Fund Manager, Development Operations Manager, and Special Events Coordinator focused on leading with supportive enthusiasm.
• Work closely with General Manager and Executive Director to ensure proper cultivation and stewardship activities across VAF’s donor and prospect portfolios.
• In conjunction with the General Manager, create and implement a comprehensive annual development plan to steward and solicit current donors, while working to increase giving level and cultivate new donors.
• Function as a major and planned gifts officer by ensuring that the external cultivation and stewardship of donors is adequate to meet or exceed the goals set forth in the annual plan, including proactive management of the Executive Director’s and General Manager’s prospect meetings and solicitations.
• Responsible for assisting with the execution of a campaign effort, working in close conjunction with campaign counsel, General Manager, Executive Director, and volunteers.
• Oversee all special events and receptions through the Festival managed by the Special Events Coordinator. Be an active participant at receptions throughout Festival and support Special Events Coordinator as required. May include invitation management of high‑profile events.
• Oversee and effectively manage areas including (but not limited to) annual fund, planned giving, campaign fundraising, volunteer management, gift processing, donor database management, special events, and marketing efforts tied to fundraising activities, as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

• At least 3‑5 years of experience in development, including personally soliciting funds and motivating others to solicit funds.
• Successful experience in working with volunteers, boards and committees.
• Possess a basic knowledge of database software and be proficient in Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to communicate and present effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Must have the ability to manage multiple projects with strong attention to detail.
• Must possess…