Director of Development

POSITION SUMMARY
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) seeks a strategic, creative, and relationship-driven Director of Development to lead its fundraising efforts during a pivotal moment of artistic and organizational growth. This leader will design and execute a comprehensive development strategy that expands individual giving, deepens donor engagement, and strengthens The Rep’s culture of philanthropy.
As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Development will partner closely with the Artistic Director, Managing Director, staff, and Board of Directors to inspire philanthropic investment in The Rep’s mission. The successful candidate will be a dynamic communicator and connector—someone who thrives on building authentic relationships and advancing the theatre’s role as a cultural anchor for St. Louis.
The Rep is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and celebrating diversity in all aspects of its work. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, welcoming candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES
♦ Lead Fundraising Strategy: Design, oversee, and execute a comprehensive fundraising program—including annual giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and special campaigns—to meet and exceed institutional goals.
♦ Drive Donor Engagement: Manage a robust portfolio of donors, developing tailored strategies for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across individual, major, principal, and planned giving.
♦ Cultivate Major Support: Cultivate and solicit transformational gifts through meaningful, face-to-face engagement that connects donor passion with The Rep’s artistic vision and community impact.
♦ Expand the Donor Base: Identify, qualify, and engage new prospects while deepening relationships with current supporters through strategic, individualized cultivation and retention plans.
♦ Empower Volunteer Leadership: Partner with the Board of Directors, Development Committee, and volunteers to inspire deeper involvement in fundraising and advocacy on behalf of The Rep.
♦ Measure and Report Progress: Establish and track clear fundraising metrics, analyzing trends and sharing results to inform strategy and demonstrate impact.
♦ Champion Long-Term Growth: Contribute to strategic planning, positioning The Rep for sustained revenue growth and expanded community reach.
♦ Inspire and Lead the Team: Supervise and mentor a team of three fundraising professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
♦ Create Exceptional Donor Experiences: Design and execute memorable donor engagement opportunities, from intimate cultivation events to large-scale stewardship gatherings, supported by professional proposals, personalized correspondence, and timely acknowledgements.
♦ Leverage Leadership Partnerships: Support the Artistic Director and Managing Director in managing their donor relationships and maximizing their impact in fundraising efforts.
♦ Serve as a Visible Ambassador: Represent The Rep at external events and community functions, embodying the theatre’s mission and values.

QUALIFICATIONS
♦ Proven Fundraising Expertise: Minimum of five years of progressive development experience with a strong track record of meeting or exceeding annual fundraising goals across major donors, foundations, and corporations.
♦ Major & Planned Giving Success: Demonstrated ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward significant gifts—including major, principal, and planned contributions.
♦ Commitment to Equity & Inclusion: A clear dedication to embedding diversity, equity, access, and inclusion into fundraising practices and fostering a respectful, thriving workplace culture.
♦ Relationship Builder: Exceptional ability to engage, inspire, and sustain relationships with donors, Board members, and community stakeholders at all levels.
♦ Strategic & Collaborative Thinker: Adept at identifying high-impact opportunities, setting priorities, and aligning resources to achieve ambitious goals.
♦ Exceptional Communicator: Outstanding interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, coupled with strong problem-solving abilities and emotional intelligence.
♦ Community & Sector Knowledge: Familiarity with the St. Louis philanthropic community—or demonstrated knowledge of the arts and culture funding landscape nationally.
♦ Mission-Driven Leader: Deep enthusiasm for the transformative power of theatre and a commitment to advancing The Rep’s artistic and community mission.