TITLE: Vice-President of Institutional Advancement
ORGANIZATION: The Black Ensemble Theater
LOCATION: Chicago, IL
REPORTS TO: CEO & Executive Director
SALARY: 160,000 Annually plus benefits
THE BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER’S MISSION
To eradicate racism and its damaging effects upon our society through the utilization of theater arts and community engagement. BE is the only theater in the nation whose mission is to eradicate racism. We utilize theater and educational outreach programs to bring people together to foster dialogue, while respecting and celebrating our differences. Ultimately it is our goal to motivate communities to embrace and honor the fact that we are all one, united by our sameness as human beings.
ABOUT THE BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER
Black Ensemble Theater (BE), Founded in 1976 by actress, producer, educator and playwright Jackie Taylor, has grown from a small community arts organization to a vibrant nationally and internationally renowned arts institution. A leader and innovator in the African American and mainstream arts communities, Black Ensemble Theater is recognized as one of the most diverse theaters in the country, producing excellent musical theater. In addition to its renowned live productions, Black Ensemble Theater provides educational outreach programs designed to use theater as a learning facilitator to teach school curriculums and empower the students with confidence, self-esteem, self-respect and the skills needed to navigate the challenges that exists in the inner-city schools. Black Ensemble Theater also serves playwrights through the Black Playwrights Initiative (BPI) an incubator for novice and experienced playwrights to grow their craft and increase their opportunities to be produced on a local and national level. In 2011 Black Ensemble Theater built a permanent home located at 4450 N. Clark Street, in the heart of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
At the forefront of our strategic planning efforts are the evolution, growth, and sustainability of Black Ensemble Theater. Our plan for the future expands the theater’s reach, audience, and physical footprint, creating new avenues to serve the community and to accomplish our mission.
While our vision and plans for the future are many years in the making, the current racial strife, the seemingly impenetrable systemic barriers and the events over the last few years only serve to strengthen our resolve and commitment to our lofty, but necessary, mission of eradicating racism.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
Over its 48 years, Black Ensemble Theater has garnered strong philanthropic support and the talent of a committed and quality Board of Directors. The Vice President of Institutional Advancement will join Black Ensemble Theater during a critical period in its history. Working with the CEO, Board of Directors and Executive Team, the VP of Institutional Advancement will leverage the theater’s reputation and profile to help shape the future of the theater and lead our Capital Campaign.
The Vice-President of Institutional Advancement will eventually lead a staff of three or four development professionals and serve as an essential member of the executive leadership team. As an exceptional leader, the Vice President will work with the CEO to set goals and forward-thinking strategies to support the organization’s Capital project Free To BE and the theater’s general operations. With the responsibility of leading the capital campaign and broadening the theater’s core donor base and contributed revenue through planned giving, major gifts, grants and corporate philanthropy, the Vice President is vital to the visibility, impact, and financial health of Black Ensemble.
The ability to work across a diverse group of stakeholders including board members, a loyal base of donors and community partners.
Key Responsibilities:
- Staff leader of the Capital Campaign working with CEO/Executive Director, the board of directors and all campaign consultants
- Work in partnership with the CEO and board of directors to develop short range and long-range fundraising plan for the Black Ensemble Theater
- Support the implementation of Three-Year Plan as it relates to fundraising
- Provide leadership, management, and mentoring to Development staff; provide guidance on best practices and strategy when needed
- Create a comprehensive plan for growing philanthropic revenue
- Direct the work of the Development team in order to implement fundraising programs using donor cultivation and stewardship opportunities that maximize giving
- Manage an active portfolio of major donors and prospects by creating and implementing personalized cultivation and stewardship plans and gift requests for each donor within portfolio
- Analyze reports on donor and patron interactions to make strategic decisions to maximize giving opportunities; prepare and present information and progress to The Black Ensemble Theater’s leadership team and Board of Directors
- Research and write grants for the organization as well as ensure that there is a structured stewardship of all grants in place.
- Exceptional leadership skills, with a collaborative spirit and strong management skills; demonstrated ability to inspire and motivate staff, board, donors, and volunteers a must
- Strong strategic and implementation skills; ability to grasp the opportunities and challenges of the organization and the role
- Outstanding communicator; excellent speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills
- Passionate about the mission of Black Ensemble Theater
- Personable and enthusiastic – a relationship builder with high energy
- Flexible, adaptable, and entrepreneurial; embraces and leads change
- High degree of emotional intelligence – empathetic and compassionate
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
