Individual Giving and Membership Manager

TITLE: Individual Giving and Membership Manager

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Deputy Director of Development

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt, Full Time

BASIC FUNCTION: The Individual Giving and Membership Manager supports and stewards Ford’s Theatre membership programs (Friends of Ford’s Theatre, $75-$1,249 and John T. Ford Society, $1,250-$24,999) and helps to steward and expand our base of annual fund donors. The Manager works closely with the Deputy Director of Development to develop and implement a variety of fundraising communications, membership campaigns and appeals, acquisition and cultivation activities, and ensure excellent stewardship to members and donors. The position is based in Washington, D.C. and is eligible to work within stated FTS hybrid/tele-work guidelines.

Ford’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, family status, sexual orientation, disability, age, neurodiversity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide excellent and responsive customer service to members and individual donors. Serve as a primary point of contact for members with questions, concerns or requests to purchase performance tickets.
• Support Deputy Director with strategic planning for acquisition, retention, upgrades and renewals for the membership programs.
• Develop all member communication and materials including membership brochures, appeals, acknowledgement letters, renewals, e-news, bi-annual newsletters and social media appeals, reply devices, recognition materials and dynamic web content.
• Research new members and generate member prospect leads utilizing wealth screening tools
• Provide support to the Deputy Director in executing mailings to prospects, donors and members including acquisition appeals and newsletters.
• Serve as the Development Team representative on the Social Media Content Committee, providing and reviewing copy to the Social Media Manager for post about annual fund and membership appeals.
• Cultivate a portfolio of current members and mid-level prospects.
• Administer renewal process for John T. Ford Society and Friends of Ford’s Theatre members with printing assistance from the Development Associate.
• Support the Deputy Director in all moves management/plans, reporting and stewardship activities as related to members and prospects (utilizing the Tessitura database).
• Oversee the weekly membership acknowledgement process by the Development Associate. Ensure that donors are being acknowledged in a timely and personalized manner.
• Coordinate with Development Associate to ensure that all member benefits are fulfilled in an appropriate and timely manner to provide sound stewardship of our members.
• Work with Development Associate to ensure that individual records in the Tessitura database are accurate and up-to-date.
• Utilize the Tessitura database to run reports, extractions and lists, inputting campaigns and appeals, purchasing and exchanging tickets for members, and other tasks as needed.
• Serve as the Development Team representative for the Tessitura Working Group and work with the CRM and Database Manager on facilitating pre-sale planning and testing for members and on-sale for the general public.
• Serve as back up to the Development Associate for entering pledges and gifts into the Tessitura database.
• Keep the membership page of Ford’s Theatre website up-to-date with current membership benefits, events and images. Update website banners with each appeal.
• Provide special event support as needed and requested in creating, managing, tracking, and executing a variety of events for members, donors and prospects.
• Oversee the execution of the Member Open House in the Winter and the JTF reception in May.
• Conduct guided tours of the Ford’s Theatre Campus for members and prospects and VIP donors.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Excellent written, oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Self-starter with the ability to multi-task and be in control of numerous tasks at any one time
• Prefer knowledge of Tessitura or a similar database experience
• Prefer knowledge of and experience in using research resources for prospecting
• Prefer knowledge of fundraising campaigns, finance and budgeting
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population of donors, theatre staff, volunteers and senior management
• Demonstration of initiative, creativity and follow-through
• Maintains confidentiality
• Excellent time manager with strong planning and organizational skills
• Strong customer relation skills
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Enthusiasm for the performing arts, education and/or history

EXPERIENCE:
• Minimum three to five years’ experience in development, fundraising, customer service or communications, preferably in a non-profit cultural organization.

SALARY:

• Approximately $57,500 – $60,000 annually
• Ford’s offers a dynamic working environment steeped in culture and history along with a robust benefits package including highly subsidized health insurance, 401(k) contributions, and generous paid leave policies.

TO APPLY:
• Email both a resume and cover letter to fordstheatrehiring@fords.org. Priority will be given to applicants who have submitted their materials by September 5, 2025.
• Ford’s Theatre Society is dedicated to fostering an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported. We believe that different perspectives strengthen our work and enrich our community. Ford’s Theatre is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer